Page:Life of Henry Clay (Schurz; v. 1).djvu/203

Rh another step without hurling this government into the gulf of destruction. For one, I say I have gone as far as I can go in the way of compromise; and if there is to be a compromise beyond that point, it must be at the edge of the sword.” After some more speaking in a similar vein, mainly by John Randolph, Clay rose to pour oil on the troubled waters. He calmly reminded the House of the fact that a resolution had been adopted covering the treatment of the vote of Missouri, to bridge over the very difficulty now presenting itself. He therefore moved that Floyd's resolution be laid on the table, which was done by a large majority. The Senate then was invited to return, and the counting of the electoral vote proceeded to the end. When the result was to be announced, Randolph and Floyd tried once more to interpose, but were ruled out of order; the President of the Senate finished his announcement, and the act of vote-counting was happily concluded.

But after all this, the Missouri question seemed to be no nearer its solution. As the end of the session approached, the excitement rose and spread. Some attempts were made in the Senate and the House to find a basis of agreement, but without avail. Then, as a last resort, Clay moved the appointment of a committee, together with a similar committee to be appointed by the Senate, to consider and report “whether it be expedient or not to make provision for the admission of Missouri into the Union, and for the execution of the laws