New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-02-16
MIR. CLAY AND THE COMPROMISES.

1t would be impossible TO find more honest and i'm.
partial set of journals than those in the Federal City,
which supporting Nebraska and aiming to get the
public printing. Tie EUening Star is as busy and az
sppDky the rest in both these pursuits. OF late,
that Journal has taken TO abusing THE TRIBUNE 4
few days ago it copied portion Of cur remarks upon
the probable attitude that Henry Clay would assume
upon the infamous proposition to repeal the Missouri
Compromise, were he alive and in the Senate. To
these observations TIE StGr appends the following
comments:
Now, it is well known to many persons at this time in
Washington that while the Compromise of 1850 under
consideration Henry Clay accustomed TO talk freely
OF the utter compatibility OF the Compromise of 1890
with it, and 10 express his qualification at the fact tha. its
enactment would restore the policy of the Government
upon the Slavery question violated and indeed ignored
III the Missouri oct, which he regarded unjust IL not
unconstitutional and only to be tolerated the sole alter
native for preventing dissolution of the Union at the
time of is enactment In OF his speeches in favor Of
the law Of 1880 he distinctly held positions synonymous
with what present above his views of the law Of
leo as expressed thus in private conversation among his
friends
Everybody who associated with Mr.. Clay, or who is
familiar with his public declarations during the contests
of 1850 knows that this ia gross Misrepresentation Of
the llusriOus Kentucky Statesman In bis published
speeches made at that tine may be found his memora
bic declaration that under circumstances could he
roe to erieHd Sicgy into territory notc free Those
who heard that declaration will never forget the com
handing manner and impassoned tome in which it was
pronounced. II had been urged in various quarters
that Mr. Clay plan of settlement for the difficulties of
that period tanamount legisatng Slavery into
free territory Mr. Clay promptly repealed this ale.
cation, and in doing ii the fire of his youth returned
his frame glowed with preternstursl excitement and
rising to bis full hight with bis countensnce beaming
with Indignation, and his eyes flashing with fire. he
hurled back the imputaOn that his efforts led 70 any
such result closing in the expressive language we have
quoted.
But we nail this Misrepresentation of The Star to
the counter by the following direct and emphatic tes
timony to the poirt in question Senator Cooper, of
fennsylvhnia, was OF the famous Committee Of
hfieen that originated the Compromise measures Of
"hieh MI Clay was Chairman. Mr. Cooper states
e' 'he question Of the effect Of these measures upon
the compromise OF 1920 came up and was discussed in
Iha' COMMITTEE and that every member of IT, and Mr.
Gay especially explicitly declared that the proposed
compromise OF ESQ did not in any degree Affect or
impair the legislation Of 1920 for no ressre,co vss
made or intended thereto and Nj Clay even wen. AZ
far we understand as TO instance the snpt.rv inan.
enee and stable character Of the Comprou,e Of Is,o
which he declared no one thought OF disturbing A.
furnishing happy precedent for the sere, Of rns,,
ures then under consideration.
The Interpretation Of Mr.. Cays views on ,hi.
subject Is however than the daily misrepre.en
tsoDs Of the paid organs Of the Government 10 regard
to every other point IN the existing controversy The
world has seen barsfaoed lying aud excessive in.
genuity at distortion prHoticed before Bat We doab.
il It ever saw anything quite equal to tie current ,