Mr. Clayton, of Delaware, zealously coöperated with Mr. Clay, incessantly exerting himself to propagate his views, and, in consequence of his commanding influence, his efforts were crowned with gratifying success. He was strongly attached to Mr. Calhoun, and many other southern members, and would often express his admiration of their distinguished talents and noble qualities, and a desire to see them retained in the service of their and his country. ‘Noble fellows, Clay! noble fellows!’ he would say. ‘We must save them, if possible; it will not do to let general Jackson hang them; the country needs them; _she cannot spare them yet_!’ Southern members generally took sides with South Carolina, so far as to consult her wishes in selecting such measures as would satisfy her. The principle of home valuation, which Mr. Clay and his friends insisted upon incorporating with his compromise bill, they opposed at first, but finally most of them agreed to it, among whom was Mr. Calhoun. When the bill was taken up by the senate, he, for the first time, signified his assent to that principle, and paid a handsome tribute to the patriotism and motives of Mr. Clay. He intimated, plainly, that Mr. Clay’s bill was calculated to heal the wound which the confederacy had received, and expressed the strongest anxiety that this would be accomplished without abandoning a tittle of the constitutional right of protection. In a debate, which was protracted several days, the enemies of the bill arrayed against it all their power. Mr. Webster, with the mighty weapons which his giant intellect was capable of forging, assaulted it with tremendous vehemence. Its defeat was considered at one stage of the discussion as certain. Said Mr. Forsyth, tauntingly, ‘_the tariff is at its last gasp; no hellebore can cure it_.’ ‘It contains nothing but _protection_, from beginning to end,’ said Mr. Smith, of Maryland, ‘_and therefore I oppose it_.’
During the debate, a personal difficulty occurred between Mr. Poindexter, of Mississippi, and Mr. Webster, which threatened to lead to something serious. Mr. Clay, by his generous interference, pacificated the parties, by bringing about a satisfactory explanation.