Page:Life of Henry Clay (Schurz; v. 1).djvu/199

Rh audience. But, he said, if the Missouri legislature should enact any law in pursuance of the obnoxious clause in their Constitution, it would be declared void by the courts of the United States. However, he added, a limitation or restriction upon the power of the legislature of Missouri might be imposed by adding to the senate resolution a provision, that no law should be enacted, under the obnoxious clause of the state Constitution, affecting the rights of citizens of other states. Thus he argued on both sides of the question, trying to conciliate the good-will of all, at the same time addressing to them the most fervid appeals to unite in a spirit of harmony, in order to save the country from this dangerous quarrel which threatened the disruption of the Union. But the peacemaker had a complicated task before him. In order to unite, he had to convince or move men who pursued the most different objects, ranging from the absolute exclusion of new slave states to the unconditional admission of them. There were not a few also who thought of postponing the whole subject to the meeting of the next Congress. Several amendments to the senate resolution were moved, but all were voted down. Nothing was found on which a majority could be united. The perplexity and excitement increased. Then, as a last expedient, Clay moved to refer the senate resolution to a special committee of thirteen members. This was agreed to, and Clay was put at the head of the committee.