Speech of Mr. Clay of Kentucky, in support of his propositions to compromise on the slavery question. Page: 2 of 32
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6th. But Resolved, That it is expedient to prohibit within the District the slave-trade,
in slaves brought into it from States or places beyond the limits of the District, either to
be sold therein as merchandize, or to be transported to other markets without the District
of Columbia.
7th. Resolved, That more effectual provision out to be made by law, according to the
requirement of the Constitution, for the restitution and delivery of persons bound to
service or labor in any State, who may escape into any other State or Territory in the
Union.
And 8th. Resolved, That Congress has no power to prohibit or obstruct the trade in
slaves between the slaveholding States ; but that the admission or exc esion of slaves .-
brought from one into another of them, depends exclusively upon their own particular
laws.
Mr. CLAY addressed the Senate as follows:
Mr. PESInnET, never, on any former occasion, have I risen under feelings of such
deep solicitude. I have witnessed many periods of great anxiety, of peril, and of dan-
ger even to the country ; but I have never before arisen to address any assembly so op-
pressed, so appalled, so anxious. And, sir, I hope it will not be out of place to do here
what again and again I have done in my private chamber-to implore of Him who holds
the destinies of nations and individuals in his hands to bestow upon our country his
blessings- to bestow upon our people all his blessings-to calm the violence and rage of
party-to still passion-to allow reason once more to resume its enpire. And may I
not ask of Him, to bestow upon his humble servant, now before Him, the blessings of
his smiles, of strength, and of ability, to perform the work which lies before him ?
Sir, I have said that I have witnessed other anxious periods in the history of our
country ; and if I were to mention-to trace to their oZiginal source-the cause of all our
present dangers and difficulties, I should ascribe them to the violence an' intemperance
of party spirit. We have had testimony of this in the progress of this session, anJ
Senators, however they may differ in other matters, concur in acknowledging the exist-
ence of that cause in originating the unhappy differences which prevail throughout the
country upon this subject of the institution of slavery. Parties, in their endeavors to
obtain the one the ascendency over the other, catch at every passing and Bloating plank,
in order to add strength and power to themselves. We have been told by tvo honorable
Senators, (Mr. HALE and Mr. PFiFLP!s,) that the parties at the North have each in its
turn wooed and endeavored to obtain the assistance of a small party called Abolitionists,
in order that the scale in its favor might preponderate over its adversaries. Let us look
wherever we may, we see too many indications of the existence of the spirit and intem-
perance of party. I might go to other legislative bodies besides our own. I might
diaw from those Legislatures all the melancholy truth upon which I am dwelling ; but,
sir, I need not pass out of this Capitol itself-I say it with all deference and respect to
that portion of Congress assembled in the other wing of the Capitol. But what have
we seen there during this very session? One whole week-I think it was an entire
week-exhausted in the vain endeavor to elect a Doorkeeper of the House!
[Much confusion prevailed in the lobbies and the avenues leading to the Senate
chamber.]
Mr. CASS. Will the honorable Senator pause a few moments, until ordej is res-
tored here?
The VICE PRESIDENT. The Sergeant-at-Arms will see that the avenues to the
galleries and this chamber are closed, and that a sufficient number withdraw from there
to give room for those who are in, and to restore order.
Mr. FOOTE. Let all the disorderly be taken out.
Mr. BADGER. There are persons in the ante-rooms that, because they cannot hear
themselves, will not let others hear. I would suggest the propriety of extending the
order to their case also.
Mr. CASS. Is the Sergeant-at Arms in the chamber
The VICE PRESIDENT. He is discharging his duty in restoring order.
Mr. BADGER. Let the ante-rooms be entirely closed.
Order having at length been restored,
Mr. CLAY resumed. Mr. President, what was the question, in this struggle to
elect a Doorkeeper? It was not as regarded the man, or the qualifications of the man,
best adapted to the situation. It was whether the Doorkeeper entertained opinions upon
certain great national measures coincident with those of this or that side of the House ! That
was the sole question that prevented the election of that officer for about the period of a
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Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. Speech of Mr. Clay of Kentucky, in support of his propositions to compromise on the slavery question., pamphlet, 1850; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth497877/m1/2/?q=%22Social%2bLife%2band%2bCustoms%2b-%2bSlavery%22: accessed June 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Schreiner University.