The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-04-27
Henry Clay and Ex-President Tyler.

At the banquet given in Richmond, Vir-
GINA, subsequent to the Inauguration of
the Clay statue, Ex.President TYLER de-
livered an address, in which he said:
Most Of those who are here present re-
member the marked era of Gen. Jackson's
Proclamation, and what was called the
Force bill. The Tariff question was the
absorbing ore of the day. The South had
unitedly declared it oppressive and in viola.
ton Of the spirit of the constitution. After
long years of protest, South Carolina de-
clafed it to be her purpose to nullify the
act. She had resorted to no act of nullifi-
cation. She had threatened to do so. She
sought thereby peaceably to adjust the
question. The Proclamation came with all
its consolidating doctrines, which, carried
into practice, threatened revolution, ami
hiating in its course our Federative system,
and setting up in its stead a consolidated
government, looking no longer to States as
parties to the social system, but to popular
majorities, unrestrained by anything but
blind will. To enforce those doctrines the
Force bill was passed, investing the Presi-
dent with dictatorial powers. Army, navy,
militia, treasury, all placed at his sole will
and sole disposal South Carolina saw the
storm and prepared for it. Her military
were placed under an efficient drill, and her
Palmetto flag was ready to be unfurled
and thousands were upon tiptoe to watch
the coming storm, and take part in it. Un-
der this state of things, l waited on Mr..
Clay. had voted against him in the elec-
ton just passed. had differed radically
from him in his course of domestic policy.
l belonged, in short, to the old Jefferson
party, from whose principles of constitu-
tiOnal construction l have never in single
instance departed. He we'll knew my per-
sonal admiration of him, and he received
me cordially. We conversed about the
times. He saw the danger. Iappealed to
his patriotism. No man ever did so in vain.
The difficulties in the way were immense.
He responded as a patriot. 1 referred him
to another, as the only person necessary to
consut-and that man was John G. Call
houn. He had to reconcile his own party
he had to satisfy an opposite party, by
large concessions. They met, consulted,
agreed. The Compromise tariff bill was
the result; and now, that years have gone
by-now that my head is covered with
gray hairs, and old age is upon me, recall
the enthusiasm I felt when Mr.. Clay rose in
the Senate to announce the great measure of
peace and reconciliation. OCCUPIED an ex-
IRENE seat on the left, he similar seat on
the right of the Senate chamber. We adj
vanced to meet each other, and grasped each
others hands midway the chamber. 1t is
that grasp of hands which has brought me
here to day. It is that noble act which i'm
mortalized the name of Henry Clay. l felt
that he deserved monument. am here
to witness its inauguration-after occur
rences have not restrained me from coming.
I have but little to do with the politics Of
the present day-little to do with them ex.
cept to wish them safely ended. 1 have
fears, have doubts; 1 have settled opin,
ions; but they are my own, in the privacy
of retirement. may well exclaim, with
our talented but unfortunate Edgar A. Poe,
without participating in the regret which
the lines express
Alas alas for me ambition all is Ger;
NO more, no more, no more,
(Such music hath the sounding sea
To the sands upon its shOre,) ilF
The riven oak shall bloom for me,
Or stricken eagles soar."