Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-08-18

again hack into its condition of uncertainty.
Mr.. Clay changed his line Of policy. He had
refused TO take the amendment Of Norris,
though he said it would, if adopted, give him
four additional votes in the Senate for his bills.
He now, how.ver decided to accept it. 70.
ward the latter part Of July had some con-
versation with him in the Senate. That morn
ing he Was dressed all 10 spotless white. except
his blue dress coat, aud looked more bu9yant
10 spirits than had seen him during the ses.
sion. On my reminding him of former con.
vcrsatious he said that be would take Norris
amendment and gain votes enough 10 pass the
bill. | said-"Mr. Clay. you have been disap
pointed three times this session." With az
impetuous wave Of his hand and naughty
look, ne said-"The administration was the
only obstacle to the passage OF my measures
and | shall now carry them without difficulty. .
walked across the chamber and spoke to
Mess 8. Hunter ADD Sou!c, who were standing
together. 1t may be proper to explain that
though they and their Southern associates
would not support Mr.. Cay's plan, yet they
protected it from destruction by the attacks
made Oh il by the Seward wing OF its oppo
nents, 10 the hope that it might ultimately be
gotten into such shape that they would sup
port it. o. my stating to them what MIR Clay
had decided on Mr.. Hunter said, "Then you
think we had better let it be destroyed
told him was decidedly of that opinion. lm
| medatcy atterward, as the records Of the pro
ccedings show, the compromise of Mr.. Gay
vas cut to pieces, and sing lie plank 10 it, the
Utah bill, was passed. On the morning after
ward Mr. Clay made denurciatory speech IL
the Senate aud went up to Newpnrt TO recruit
his health Senator Pcarce's bill, iu certain
respects more favorable To the South, came III
aud ultimately the series of measures were
adopted called the Compromise OF 1880
Not having seen either OF Mr. Weeds let
tiers [ can only infer their conteDs from read
ing that of Mir. Stephens. | never had go
vcrsatiou with General Taylor on Il prillca
subject, unless il was casual remark a one Q
his dinners or evening receptions. Nor did
ever hear of any one having such an Interview
as that spoken of by MIR. Weed. | scarcel
Thick such thing could have occurred wlthou
my knowledge, for felt great interest 10 th
issue, was very active, seldom gong to be'
during that ten months session I'LL after wv
O'Clock Having learned who were the lat
sitters up was able to occupy myself with 10
terviews till late hour IL the evenings, an'
from week to week was able to UNDERSTAND
the position 90 tn" question OF aImos, ever
member OF each Hjusa during the seSsiop. In
! non intervention scheme | considered as al in
geniou.ly devised s.ratvgem to produce COLI
sion bctwccu the sections, because it was re
gaided at the North aS making all The terrltor
free, while in tic South ii was asserted tia
under it all the Territories were sltgcholdlug
1t is 10 me ma,tr 81 rcgrcl that Dy declare
lions, IL 1851, that 10 len years, on account
that settlement, we s!.ould have either a dlSsc
IL ion Of the Union or civil war, were vorih"
By the event. While Mr.. Weed ard his fried
regarded the death Of General Taylor as a los
O their side | both at that time aud ever >loc
looked on it as one OF those important event
that greatly tended TO produce the results wblc
subsequently, occurred.
Respectfully, &C.,
I. L. CLINGMAN.