Compromise of 1850

“But when he comes to reflect that, from the nature of the government and its operations, and from those with whom he is dealing, it is necessary upon his part, in order to secure what he wants, to grant something to the other side, he should be reconciled to the concession which he has made in consequence of the concession which he is to receive, if there is no great principle involved, such as a violation of the Constitution of the United States.”

Clay outlines here the realization that he imagines that his fellow lawmakers should have already had, namely that compromise is necessary in order to govern. His first six phrases and clauses, set off by commas, are short; the seventh is longer and includes repetition of the word “concession.” The effect is that Clay again uses the cadence of his sentences to communicate the nature of compromise. The choppier features of the sentence build tension and suspense, while the longer clause (“he should be reconciled to the concession which he has made in consequence of the concession which he is to receive”) returns the tone to a more neutral place.

“I believe it is the dove of peace, which, taking its aerial flight from the dome of the Capitol, carries the glad tidings of assured peace and restored harmony to all the remotest extremities of this distracted land.”

Clay’s tone vacillates between the deepest of gloom and the highest of hopes, a strategy meant to dramatize the effects of the two options the senators have before them. The use of the dove as a symbol of peace is an allusion to the Christian Bible. While the peace-wielding dove appears in multiple places in the Bible, the most relevant instance might be after Noah has survived the flood: Clay’s measure will result in the rebirth of the nation the way the flood was the rebirth of virtuous humankind.

“And now let us discard all resentment, all passions, all petty jealousies, all personal desires, all love of place, all hankerings after the gilded crumbs which fall from the table of power. Let us forget popular fears, from whatever quarter they may spring.”

Clay effectively incorporates the theme of The Pressure of Judgment by associating voting against the measure not only with political failure but also with moral failure. The call here is phrased to set aside pettiness and undignified greed. The implication, though, is that men who vote against the measure choose to retain these qualities.

“Let us go to the limpid fountain of unadulterated patriotism, and, performing a solemn lustration, return divested of all selfish, sinister, and sordid impurities, and think alone of our God, our country, our consciences, and our glorious Union—that Union without which we shall be torn into hostile fragments, and sooner or later become the victims of military despotism or foreign domination...”

Using a fountain with clean waters as a symbol of unquestioning patriotism invokes several Christian rituals that view water as purifying. Clay’s use of the word “lustration” augments the suggestion of patriotism as a sacred act. These lines conclude by incorporating the motif of fragmentation to equate the Union’s survival with the survival of the men about to vote on the measure.

“Let us look to our country and our cause, elevate ourselves to the dignity of pure and disinterested patriots, and save our country from all impending dangers.”

Clay urges his colleagues to leave their own petty desires behind in order to save the country. What he doesn’t say directly is that they are among the ones who have put the country in danger in the first place with their unwillingness to compromise, which Clay frames as selfish in nature. Clay calls on the men again here to “elevate” themselves with him to a state of purity and objectivity.

“Let us go to the altar of our country and swear, as the oath was taken of old, that we will stand by her; that we will support her; that we will uphold her Constitution; that we will preserve her union; and that we will pass this great, comprehensive, and healing system of measures, which will hush all the jarring elements and bring peace and tranquility to our homes.”

Seeking to soothe tensions and disagreements with the Southern representatives specifically, Clay issues a series of invitations. In doing so, he personifies the Union, urging his male listeners to view the country as a woman in need of protection, arguably a sacred woman, given that she possesses an altar at which to worship. Clay assures again that passing this resolution will restore peace at all levels.

“What will be the judgment of mankind, what the judgment of that portion of mankind who are looking upon the progress of this scheme of self-government as being that which holds the highest hopes and expectations of ameliorating the condition of mankind—what will their judgment be?”

Although addressing the president directly now, Clay uses rhetorical questions to intensify The Pressure of Judgment. Clay emphasizes here that the fate of the United States, which he has established rests with this measure, has implications even greater than the dissolution of the country. The United States, Clay notes here, is a beacon of hope to many in the world; its failure would lead to the general dismissal of self-government, which is representative of human progress more broadly.

“Sir, we shall stand condemned by all human judgment below, and of that above it is not for me to speak. We shall stand condemned in our own consciences, by our own constituents, and by our own country.”

Clay compounds in these sentences the magnitude of judgment that the lawmakers would face should they fail to pass the measure. He claims the judgment of heaven is not something he can claim to know. However, given how closely he has aligned Christianity with his position, through the incorporation of Christian iconography and his own prayers, the implication is clear: God would be no less likely to condemn those who vote against the measure than would anyone else.