[DURING the progress of the debate on the resolutions submitted
by Mr. Clay, President Taylor transmitted to congress a message,
apprising that body that he had received the constitution
adopted by the people of California, accompanied with an
application for admission as a state into the Union. The
reference of this message was warmly discussed; and while it
was under consideration, Mr. Clemens, of Alabama, indulged in
several unwarrantable ‘flings’ at Mr. Clay, among other things
expressing his surprise at the ‘fellow-feeling’ which existed
between him and Mr. Benton. This drew forth the following
rejoinder, in which other matters are collaterally noticed. (It
may be proper to state here that the resolutions of Mr. Clay,
together with several other propositions from different sources,
were finally referred to a committee of thirteen, which was
chosen by ballot, and of which Mr. C. was elected chairman.)]
MR. CLAY rose to reply to one of the remarks of the senator from
Alabama, Mr. Clemens. What right had the senator to animadvert upon
a conference held between the senator from Missouri (Mr. Benton) and
him? It was very true that for several years there did exist other
than the most cordial feeling between him and Mr. Benton――that a system
of non-intercourse was established between them, if gentlemen pleased
so to call it. Some three years ago they had come together, having
made peace with each other, as Mr. Clay wished he might be able to
do with all the world; but with respect to intimations of any mutual
deliberation and consideration of measures proposed to be introduced,
he had to say, that there was nothing of the kind; he had never seen
or heard any thing in relation to the bill proposed and introduced by
Mr. Benton, proposing to reduce the boundaries of Texas, until it was
brought into the senate. On the other hand, Mr. Benton had never seen,
heard or thought, so far as he knew, of the series of resolutions
recently introduced by him. What, then, had the senator who had
denounced their intercourse to go upon? Was he to speculate upon
the object of that private conference, and to make such deductions
as seemed to him to be proper? He had no right so to do, and the
conclusion showed how incorrect his deductions were. He would repeat
that there was no interchange of opinion between him and Mr. Benton
at all, in relation to their respective projects. It was true, that
at the time alluded to, they did converse together upon the proper
dispositions of subjects coming before the senate, but what right had
others to attempt to place a construction upon their motives? He must
protest against submitting his private intercourse to any such test
as that. He was, and had been so deeply impressed with a sense of the
awful dangers which menace the existence of the government, that if the
senator had been his most bitter enemy, and had come to him to consider
the means best calculated to rescue the common country from impending
danger, he would have counselled with him, as with his friend――if by so
doing he might hope to accomplish so desirable an end. Mr. Clay desired
to notice one or two other points to which the senator had alluded. He
(Mr. Clay) had said, that in the admission of California there was no
concession from either side:――true, the North would get what she wanted;
but it would be from causes not under the control of congress, and not
by concession. It had been said that, if received with her inhibition
of slavery, congress would be responsible for it. He proceeded to
show that this was not true, but that if congress passed laws allowing
the people of California to frame a constitution and erect a state,
congress would then more reasonably be held responsible for any act
decided upon by the people, with reference to the institution of
slavery. He had admitted that there was some irregularity in the action
taken by California; but was there not good ground for excuse for this
child, which, having been abandoned by its natural parent, had adopted
the necessary measures for her own protection, and now came back again,
asking its neglectful parent to receive it into the family of states?
Similar irregularities had been overlooked in the case of Michigan,
notwithstanding the necessities of her situation were by no means
commensurate with those of the people of the Pacific――the former had
a form of government, under which she had existed and found peace and
security for years――the latter were without law or means of protection.
A sentiment had been reiterated in the senate to-day, which he had
heard, alas! too often, and which he never heard without a shudder. The
senate was told that, in a certain contingency, the South were to take
a specific course, regardless of consequences. Was that true? For one,
he knew of no condition in which man could be placed, either on the
boundless prairies of the west, in the midst of the howling winds and
lashing fury of the ocean storm, or in the deliberative body――none in
which a moral, rational, accountable being could take a step regardless
of consequences. It was because he did regard consequences the most
important, that he was led to make every effort in his power to avert
the greatest of human calamities――a consequence fraught with evil, not
to his country alone, but to the cause of humanity throughout the world.
* * * * *
Mr. Foote made some remarks in vindication of his observations
in relation to the recent intercourse between Mr. Benton and
Mr. Clay; in the course of which he suggested to Mr. Clay that
there was sometimes something in his demeanor, when excited in
debate, which had the appearance of menace. He also alluded to
a speech made by that senator eleven years ago, in which he said
that certain acts, if persisted in, would dissolve the Union,
and dissolve it in blood. Mr. F. went on at length with some
personal remarks upon Mr. Clay, Mr. Seward and Mr. Benton.
Mr. Clay said a few words in reply to Mr. Foote’s remarks about the
intercourse between him and Mr. Benton, and in the course of a few
observations, suggested to him the impropriety of attempting to draw
deductions from such private intercourse. He reminded Mr. Foote that he
himself that morning had come over to him, and held a long conversation
with him, in relation to the difficulties which concerned the affairs
of the country,――and asked him whether it would not have been unfair
for some northern man to have imputed to the senator dishonorable
motives in seeking that interview. It is an evil――a political
and social evil――it is a wrong toward those who are the sufferers
thereby――those were his opinions, but he quarrelled with no man who
thought otherwise. In conclusion, he denied all ambitious projects:
he stood, as it were, upon the brink of eternity, expecting soon to
go hence, and owed no responsibility which he was not prepared to meet
here and before God. If the senator from Mississippi chose to call him
an Abolitionist――well and good; he would only say, that if there was
any one man in the community more abused by the Abolitionists than
another, it was he.
Mr. Cass (interrupting) said, that if Mr. Clay claimed to be
the best abused man in the community, he must take exception.
(Laughter.)
Mr. Clay further defended his resolutions. He had honestly, in the
sight of God, endeavored to bring forward a scheme of compromise for
the purpose of keeping the Union together in one family, with harmony
and concord. In supporting that scheme he had not forgotten to rebuke
the fanatics of the north for their course, as well as to call upon
the south not to persist in what would not bear the scrutiny of reason
and judgment. It was enough for him that his plan of settlement was
rejected by the ultraists of both sections.