Page:Life of Henry Clay (Schurz; v. 2).djvu/365

Rh Whigs. John J. Crittenden of Kentucky was made Attorney General. He had lost Clay's favor in 1848 by failing to support him for the presidential nomination; but Clay now “acquiesced” in his appointment. “My relations with Mr. Fillmore are perfectly friendly and confidential,” he wrote to one of his sons. He had now the administration on his side. It employed its whole influence in favor of the compromise. Still the battle of words continued.

On July 22, nearly six months after the introduction of his resolutions, and two and a half months after the Committee of Thirteen had presented its report, Clay made his closing speech. Ever since January 28 he had been on the floor almost day after day, sometimes so ill that he could hardly drag his tottering limbs to the Senate Chamber. So he had toiled on, answering objections and arguing, and pleading, and expostulating, and appealing, and beseeching, with anxious solicitude, for the Union, and for peace and harmony among all its people. He had thrown aside all sectional spirit. “Sir,” he exclaimed once, “I have heard something said about allegiance to the South. I know no South, no North, no East, no West, to which I owe any allegiance.” Whatever may be said of the wisdom of his policy, his motives had never been more patriotic and unselfish. He was no longer a candidate for the presidency. Some of his friends had, indeed, again approached him with inquiries whether he would permit his name