Virginia Free Press

The Correspondent of the Alexandria Gazette, speaking of Mr. Clay's tariff speech, says:

"The gifted Orator held enchained an attentive Senate, and a crowded audience in breathless attention, as long as his speech lasted, save only when involuntary exclamations of pleasure were expressed; and on one occasion a simultaneous burst of applause arose from the galleries. We listened with more than pleasure—with admiration, to his touching descriptions—his patriotic appeals—and his eloquent exhortations. He declared that his object was peace—conciliation—and Union; that he was sick with contention and turmoil; that he sought to harmonize the conflicting interests of his country, and reconcile the jarring opinions of his countrymen. He confessed, that when he first heard of the South Carolina Ordinance, he was disposed to hurl defiance at the insulting threats of that State, but that now the first of February was past, and that he had heard that assurances had been given that that state did not meditate force—but wished only to try the question before the civil tribunals—Now, therefore, he was more disposed to act on the case—to meet the complaints of the South in a spirit of good will; and, if possible, again to unite our people as a band of brothers."