chusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, had passed' resolutions strongly opposed to any such legislation.* Mr. Clay, on this occasion, had to break with his old political friends, while he was offering up the darling system of his heart upon the altar of his country.

Whatever else may be said of him, no one can deny that Henry Clay was a patriot-every inch of him—a patriot of the highest standard. It is said, that when he was importuned not to take the course he had resolved. upon, for the reason amongst others, that it would lessen his chances for the Presidency, his reply was, "I would rather be right than be President." This showed the material he was made of. It was worthy a Marcellus or Cato.

Just so soon as he got through with the speech announcing the introduction of the bill, Mr. Calhoun immediately arose. The scene was intensely interesting as described by those who witnessed it. It was just such a scene as occurred in the same Hall on the 17th day of June, 1850, seventeen years afterwards, when Mr. Webster arose to speak on the turning question of the great adjustment of that year, as we shall see hereafter. All eyes were instantly fixed upon the Senator of South Carolina, as he addressed the Chair. The galleries and lobbies and aisles of the Chamber were crowded. The record of what occurred is thus put up. I still read from the same authority, pages 416-417.

"Mr. Calhoun rose and said he would make but one or

the revenue, is to reduce the duties on articles not coming into competition with the products of the industry of this country, and to increase the duties upon such articles as can be supplied by our own labor, to such an extent as shall limit the importations from abroad, and thus diminish the revenue to the amount required."-Niles's Register. * Statesman's Manual, vol. 3, p. 1010.