But a bomb had fallen on the floor, and consternation was on every face.  All turned to Mr. Clay.  All saw a crisis was at hand, and that this matter must be settled as speedily as possible.  Archer filed off with Randolph, who affected to pet him, as some men do foils for their wit, in the person of a toady.

A few days after this occurrence the famous Compromise measure was reported, and the first speech I ever listened to from Mr. Clay was in its advocacy.  About him was gathered the talent of the Senate and the House.  The lobbies and galleries were filled to overflowing.  Mr. Pinkney, of Maryland; Landman, of Connecticut; Rufus King, William Lowndes, Otis, Holmes, Macon, and others, all manifested intense interest in the speech of Mr. Clay.  How grandly he towered up over those seated about him!  Dressed in a full suit of black, his hair combed closely down to his head, displaying its magnificent proportions, with his piercing, gray eyes fixed upon those of the Speaker, he poured out, in fervid words, the wisdom of his wonderful mind, and the deep feelings of his great heart.  All accorded to him sincerity and exalted patriotism; all knew and confided in his wisdom; all knew him to be a national man, and into the hearts of all his words sank deep, carrying conviction, and calming the storm of angry passions which threatened not only the peace, but the existence of the Government.  All the majesty of his nature seemed as a halo emanating from his person and features, as, turning to those grouped about him, and then to the House, his words, warm and persuasive, flowing as a stream of melody, with his hand lifted from his desk, he said: 

“I wish that my country should be prosperous, and her Government perpetual.  I am in my soul assured that no other can ever afford the same protection to human liberty, and insure the same amount.  Leave the North to her laws and her institutions.  Extend the same conciliating charity to the South and West.  Their people, as yours, know best their wants—­know best their interests.  Let them provide for their own—­our system is one of compromises—­and in the spirit of harmony come together, in the spirit of brothers compromise any and every jarring sentiment or interest which may arise in the progress of the country.  There is security in this; there is peace, and fraternal union.  Thus we may, we shall, go on to cover this entire continent with prosperous States, and a contented, self-governed, and happy people.  To the unrestrained energies of an intelligent and enterprising people, the mountains shall yield their mineral tribute, the valleys their cereals and fruits, and a million of millions of contented and prosperous people shall demonstrate to an admiring world the great problem that man is capable of self-government.”