The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-02-13
CIay's Reply to Calhoun.


Proceeding to the senate, my atten-
ton was at once arrested by q voice that
seemed like the music of the spheres. 1t
came from the lips OF tall, well-fermed
man with wide mouth, FISHING eye,
and countenance that revealed every
thought within. His voice was one OF
extraordinary compass, melody and pow
er. There was not one word of rant, not
one tone of yoniterstiOn in the very eli
max of his passion. He SPOKE deliber>
stely, and his eutpoHring of denuncia-
ton was as slow and steady as the tread
of Nemesis He gesticulated all over.
As he spoke he stepped backward and
forward with effect, and the nodding Of
his head-hung on a long neck-Eis
arms, hands, feet, and even his spectacles
and blue handkerchief aided him in de-
bate. 1t was Henry Clay, engaged in
hand>to.hand struggle with another
giant of the senate, John G. Calhoun.
Clay had Just tainted him with q ru'
NOR that he hsd left the opposition ranks
and struck hands with the administrs-
ton. He (Mr. Clay would like to
know what compromise had been made
between the honorable senator from
South Carolina and the Kinderhook fox"
(meaning President Van BUREN,.
Calhoun replied: No msn ought to
be more tender on the subject OF com.
promise than the honorable senator from
Kentucky" Then, abiding 10 the
compromises effected By Clay in the null
LITIGATION crisis OF 1880. he added The
senator from Kensucky was fat on his
back. / repeat it, sir, the senator wa.
ast on his back, and couldn't move. l
wrote home to my friends in South
Carolina halt dozen letters saying that
the senator from Kentcky was fat on
his back and couldn't move. ] WAS his
master on that occasion. | repeat IL,
sir, | was his master on that occasion.
He went TO my school. He learned Of
me-"
The two antagonists sat at the extreme
ends of the semi-circular rows of seats
Calhoun sitting in the front row, on the
presidents right Clay in the rear row,
on his left. The honorable senator
from South Carolina" said Clay, "says
that was fat on my back, and that ne
wrote home to his friends in South
Carolina Stating that was hat on my
back and couldn't move Admirable
evidence this in a court OF law First
make an assertion, Their quote your own
letters 70 prove it But the honorable
senator Gays that he was nv master on
that occasion - As he SAID this the
speaker advanced down the aisle,
directly in front of Calhoun, and, point
ing to him with his quivering fingers,
said, in tones in which were cOncen~
trated the utmost scJrn and defiance,
He my raaster! He my master!" he
continued in louder tones, with his
finger still pointed, and retresting
backward, while his manner indicated |
the inten,es: adherence. He my
master !" he third time cried, raising |
his voice to e still higher key, while
retre&tinq backward 10 the very lobby ; |
then, suddenly changing his voice from
4 trumpet peal to almost a whisper, !
which was yet distinctly audible in |
rvery nook and corner of the senate |
chsmb1r, he added: Sir, would not /
own him for nv slave" A hush
brea;hless silence; then followed a |
tempest Of applause, which for while !
checked al further debate, and csme |
near causing sn expulsion OF the spec
tatCr< from The gallery