. The great American book of biography . they saw that a storm was gathering, and relied on Clays wisdom andpatriotism to meet the emergency. The sentiment against slavery was increas-ing. The free States were outstripping the slave States in wealth and popula- 188 HENRY CLAY. tion. It was evident that slavery must have more territory or die. Shut out ofthe Northwest by the Missouri Compromise, it was supposed that a great fieldfor its extension had been gained in Texas and the territory acquired fromMexico. But now California, a part of this territory which had been countedupon for slavery, w
. The great American book of biography . they saw that a storm was gathering, and relied on Clays wisdom andpatriotism to meet the emergency. The sentiment against slavery was increas-ing. The free States were outstripping the slave States in wealth and popula- 188 HENRY CLAY. tion. It was evident that slavery must have more territory or die. Shut out ofthe Northwest by the Missouri Compromise, it was supposed that a great fieldfor its extension had been gained in Texas and the territory acquired fromMexico. But now California, a part of this territory which had been countedupon for slavery, was populated by a sudden rush of Northern immigration, at-tracted by the discovery of gold ; and a State government was organized, witha constitution excluding slavery. Thus, instead of adding to the area of slavery,the Mexican territory seemed likely to increase the strength of freedom. TheSouth was both alarmed and exasperated. Threats of disunion were freelymade. It was evident that prompt measures must be taken to allay the pievail. II; I; \ Il W 1 ing excitement, if disruption were to be avoided. In such an emergency it wasnatural that all eyes should turn to the great pacificator, Henry Clay. When, at the session of 1849-50. he appeared in the Senate, to assist, ifpossible, in removing the slavery question from politics. Clay was an infirm andserious, but not .sad, old man of seventy-two. He never lost his cheerfulnessor faith, but he felt deeply for his distracted country. During that memorablesession of Congress he spoke seventy times. Often extremely sick and feeble,scarcely able, with the assistance of a friends arm, to climb the steps of theCapitol, he was never absent on the days when the Compromise was to bedebated. On the morning on which he began his great speech, he was accom- THE CRISIS OF 1850. 189 panied by a clerical friend, to whom he said, on reaching the long flight of stepsleading to the Capitol, Will you lend me your arm, my friend ? for I find my-
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