The Greensborough patriot [September 11, 1852]

              reensti palm
VOL. XIV. G11EENSBOROUGH, N. C, SEPTEMBER 11, 1852. NO. 095.
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secured the admiration, the regard and confidence
of his neighbors in childhood, as he did subse-quently
that of his countrymen in the maturity
of his manhood, fur the energy and unfaltering
devotion with which, under all circumstances, lie
served his country.
He continued to lahour on the larm for the
appreciation of national honor. At this time he
was in the House like a flaming fire. As he de-picted
the condition of our gallant tars" who had
served their country so nohly and effectively at
Tripoli, who had triumphantly borne the stars
and stripes around the globe in tones of thunder,
but who had been unwillingly true from the flag
,uppor7'nf"l,is modicr' and he'rVmiiy until he of their country, and were then forced to fight
was about fourteen year, of age. At this lime, the ba.de. ol Crea. Britain; a. ha represented
85.50 88.00
10.00 11.00
15.00 20.00
25.00 35.00
A ii.'
ho
erg li
she having again married and emigrated to the
Slate of Kentucky, lie wai thrown penniless upon
the cold charities of the world, to direct his own
course as he might think proper without the ad-vantage
even of a guardian, without the society,
counsel or control ofa parent.
He first entered a drug-store in the city of
Richmond. Remaining there for a short lime he
next entered the office of the C!er k of the High
Court of Chanciry of the Slate of Virginia,
where he found employment more congenial to
his taste than any In which lie had been engaged,
and an opportunity ol cultivating his mind, and
obtaining information for which, even in earlier
years, he manifested ID ardent desire. He dis-charged
the various duties of his office with in-dustry
and fidelity. Those hours of leisure,
which by youth are ordinarily spent in idleness
or pleasure, were by him sedulously devoted to
the improvement ol his education and to the ac-quirement
of knowledge. Chancellor Wylhe,
one of the signers of the declaration of American
independence, attracted by his industry and su-perior
native powers, took Jtla into his special
lavor; gave general direction as to his course ol
reading, supplied him with books and finally
made him his amanuensis. Leaving the office
of the clerk ol the high court of Chancery he re-sided
about a j ear in the office of Governor
Brooke then AHomey General of the state, where
superior opportunities *ere afforded lor prose-cuting
the stuily of low.
When about twenty years of age, and having
by his own labor and Industry supported himsell
and risen superior to his earl) dcli-ru've education,
he was admitted to the bar, and emigrated to the
Slate of Kentucky and commenced the practice
of the law at Lexington, where fie had lor his
•tilors the most distinguished and able low
I that Stale. At this lime he was an en-hot
tin
EULOGY
ON THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF
HENRY_CLAY.
Delivered in Greentboromjh, July 81,1852.
BY WILLIAM H. WALKER, ESU,.
LftMM AND GENTLEMEN :—The sad and mel-ancholy
intelligence of the death of our lamented
ond distinguished fellow citizen, the Honorable
Henry Clay, sinks deep into the hearts of us all.
Profoundly penetrated with a seine ol this great,
•hit irreparable national bereavement, sincerely
and UDaffecud.v sympathising and condoling with
the bereaved and afflicted members ol bis own
family, and mingling our tears with theirs, and
those of our fellow citizens throughout this land,
we are here to-day to offer the mouriful tribut.
of respect to him who it. life was one of
rica's most distinguished sons, of liberty i
pilled and successful advocates. It is our
lege. il is our duty to bestow all becomiiu
or upon our departed fellow citizen, the ei
of whose life for almost half a century weie d
toted with singleness of purpose to the service
of his eountrv, to human liberly and human pro-gress
throughout the world ; upon him the maj-esty
of whose vast and mighty inlcllccMbe brill-iancy,
fertor and power of whose unsurpassed
oratory excited the wonder and admiration ol the
inhabitants of every dime where literature has
an abiding place, where genius is admired, where
the noble, the MtMMM emotions of patriotism are
felt and a| predated.
Our lamented friend was, indeed, one ol the
noblest specimens of the products of the genius , stimulating him I
of American institutions. His name is one of
■he most distinguished on the roll of American
patriots. His life constitutes a theme on which
the muse ol history for all coming lime may de-light
to linger.
Already, the poet, the orator, and the stales-man,
his co-laborer in the councils of lha nation,
each have attempted to delineate the character
and eulogize the life and services ol this distin-guished
man. And whilst he yet lived, the pen-cil,
the brush and the chisel of the artist, were
each employed to catch, preserve and transmit to
posteriiv the image of the manly form and noble
features'of him. the patriot, statesman and ora-tor
who marked and distinguished the century in
which he lived, adorned and made illustrious ihe peculiar duties of his profession with uulirmg in- I tf lj . gf ^ ,(mis|| f
country to which he bore allegiance, and which duslry and Ihe most brilliant success, he was not ^^ mcr(. », y -uiHalkw »l
he served, and did honor even to the rare lo i iiomindlul ol the ela;ins ol Ins country. Horn
' the conflicting, the perilous and exciting
fine revolution, and associating with the
ol actors tin roof, l.e participated largely
them as pleading their allegiance and their ser
ice as reasons for our protection, his eloquence
is said to have been overwhelming, to have ex-torted
tears even from his bitterest opponents.
Such eloquence was not ineffectual. The army
was augmented, lbs navy increased, and war de-clared.
The first initiatory operations on the frontier
having been attended with some disgraceful dis-asters.
•• Mr. Clay, then the leader, ihe life and
soul of the Republican, the war party," did not
despond " but moved," says his early biograph-er.
•• in majesty for he moved in strength. No
difficulty could weary or withstand his energies.
Like the Carthaginian chief in the passage of the
Alps, he kepi his place in front of his comrades,
putting aside, with a giant effort, every obstacle
that opposed his progress, applauding the fore-most
of his followers, and rousing those who
lingered by terms of reproach, till he succeeded
in placing them upon a moral eminence from
which they could look down upon the region
where their prowess was to meet with its long
} expected reward." This reward was realized .
in a series of hrillianl naval victories, and in the i
j memorable victoiies of Chippcwa, Lundy'sLane,
New Orleans, and other fields made illustrious j
• by American prowess.
nil most gloomy period of the
i urged by patriotic motives and
success of his own adminis-the
first military talent at
And having the utmost
!!■ and lorlilude of Mr.
resources ol his vast and
ered him the position ol
in Chief ol the Coiled Slates forces.—
Clay, although he fell and appreciated the
In the darkest
war, Mr. Madisoi
by a desire (or th
Iration, wiolwd m
Ihe head of the ar
confidence m the
Clay, as well as
capacious mind
Gei
Mr.
lation of ihe Constitution of Ihe United Slates.
Yet. notwithstanding the important military serv-ices
of one, the distinguished civil and military
services of the other, and the relations of per-sonal
friendship and kindness with both,he could
nol overlook those violations of that sicred in-strument,
but in the strongest though respecllul
terms, gallantly and nobly defended it against the
assaults even of his Iriends.
In Ihe administration of Mr. Monroe, Missouri
applied for admission into the Union as a Stale,
out ol which grew more appalling difficulties
than any Mr. Clay had encountered during his
political life. The peculiar institutions of the
South and the North came in collision, nnd the
passions and prejudices rattier than the reason
of men prevailed. Mr. Jefferson said that the
news of this sectional contest fell upon his ears
like Ihe knell of ihe Union ; the whole country
saw am! appreciated the danger. Mr. Clay re-garded
this internal stripe as more alarming,
more difficult to control or suppress, more dan-gerous
in ils ultimate consequences than all the
artillery of Great Britain in the war of 1812.
Nevertheless he did not despond, but summoning
all his energies, he devised and submitted a plan
of compromise, urged ils adoption with all his
power both in and out of the House. Al length
after long and continuous excitement, strife and
mental agony, the compromise was adopted.
Missouri was admitted, and the Union was sated.
Mr. Clay said that if the contesi and suspense
had continued two weeks longer, he could not
have survived it, that he must inevitably have
died.
In 1825 Mr. Adams, he having acceded to the
■'residency, invited Mr. Clay to lake charge of
the slate deportment. As the currency had been
restored, a system ol internal improtement com-menced,
a protective tariff or the American sys-tem
established. Missouri admitted as a State,
and Ihe harmony ol the Union reslored.Mr. Clay
nolongersaw any pressing necessity for remain-log
in the House of Representatives ; and having
safely conducted the country through the war of
mplimcni, and knew thai military renown
mpe.itor,l,ei,,os..,s...gu,s,ie.ia„Ua w-ij ,,.,„, ,,,„„, ccrlain| IO m,| prelerment.
yen o. that Slate Al ihi. time he was an en-1 ^ ^^11.1 serve hi. conn-lire
stranger •• Without a Iricnd, a iihout a palron,, I ^ . (o a|, „,,,
and dcsuiute of the means lo pay hit weekly "J'"TV *"?
hoard :" he was even unconscious of the rich °
treasures ol his intellect, and had no motive [
lined Ihe oiler. For the same
declined a situation in the cabinet
nion oilier lliau ill leas
ures of industry and a laudable desire lo procure
an honestand an independent support. Never-theless
he neither desponded nor relaxed his ef-forts
: ncilhci did he himl Hie supple lunges of the
knee thai thrift might follow I iwnuig. His
•• lips never learned lo utter the language of syco-phancy."
Spuming Ihe aris and devices of ihe
pettifogger, and obterting with ihe most scrupu-lous
fidelity the rules ol professional propriety,
he sought success by striving tu deserve it. His
hopes were more than realized ; his lalenls and
his noble manly Dealing were lull appreciated,
for he rushed immediately into a successful, a
lucretwe practice and in a shorl while stood in
the fronl ranks of Ins piolcssion. Prosecuting tl
nnor I
jrhich he belonged. During hi. lasl illness ihe
ollention ol the whole country was, With alternate
hopes and fears, directed to the chamber of his
sickness. Al length all hope departed, and the
unwilling conviction was forced upon die minds
of all that his mortal career was almost closed,
thai the benefit of his councils lo the notion would
never more be fell. Vet. when these sad amiri-paiiuns
were realized, when the telegraphic wires
with the speed of lightning conveyed to every
portion of our root nation ihe melancholy intelli-gence
that he was dead, that Henry Ciay was
no more—one universal spontaneous wail of wo
rose from all American hearts.
All classes, ages, sexes and conditions of life
paid lo ihe memory of his departed worth the
inournlul tribute of their tears ! Win n ap-propriately
eulogize il.e life anil services of one
so distinguished, so universally, so favorably
known, so deeply engraven in Idlers of living
light 'upon the memory and the hearts ol ihe A-merican
people ? /shrink from the undertaking
scene-s
promii
ol ihe palrioli
dint ol his own n
melilol that day. Rising by
rgy and perseverance under
oi our free inalituiiona Iron
v to vvcallh ami distinction,
re and by education, he ever
ly iiitereal in the honor.
re and prosperity of his country. By
in-live ami power with which lie oppu*
lien and sedition laws in his first pupu-geuial
inllui-i
t-rty and obac
ipublicau by n
reason he twi
of Mr. Maihson.
At length the army and ihe navy having chan-ged
Ihe tide ol battle, and both having been pla-ced
upon j secure and successful footing, he with
other* accepted of the President ihe appointment
of Commissioners and repaired io Ghenllo meet
commissioners on ihe pan ofGreai Britain io ne-gotiate
a treaty ol peace. In this new position
he sternly and Inflexibly resisted every proposi-iKin
inconsistent either with the honor or inter-est
o! his eounlry, whilst on his part he made no
illiberal or unreasonable demands, lly these
means a treaty honorable to both nations was
speedily negotiated, and ihe gales of war were
closed.
lly his intelligence, his lofty bearing, and skill
diplomatist, he secured the highest admira-omiiiosluucrs
and
pulaiion at home.
Reluming to the United Stele* he partook ol a
public dinner al New York which was given in
honor of him, and in anticipation ol his return.
Aiming ai Lexington, bio progress lo w Inch was
like a triumphal march, he learned that ill his
absence and without his knowledge or solicit*-
nanifeaicd the moat In
Ihe wcl
the lie
»ed the
lar addresses lo tin
red the
l.le ol K
crv hoi:
COH1IIH
heart*
abeenc
he wa
dale h
if the
rand
hie cog,
and Died inn
people. Thin
V ItllOUl his Kill
.1 by bis fcllo'
•II ol
kv lie acqill-tlie
•■ great
Il indelibly on the
ted. in his
solicitation
as a ealull-cilibly
of his a-cn
unanimously elected lo Con-leiving
the election to be illegal
nuiisMon. A new election was
b he was again unanimously elec-inarkable
instance of his popular-oper
public appreciation ol the in-or.
n of one ol ihe country's grcal-l
appn
wh ilge
• citize
lie alo whose death this day a whole nalli
mourns, who was himself emphatically the ar-chitect
of his own forlune.thc founder of his own
in die General A
dopttd Slate.
Pnesesstd ofa lofty aiid high sense of honor,
he would not content IO canvass, lo become the
advocate of llio OWU qualification, of his own t-lection,
until calumny and demotion directed a-gainst
him and lus political tenliment) imposed
lion, he had hi
press. He be
resigned his en
ordered in whn
ted. A in' si r
lly. and of a pi
Diligence anil w
esi benefactor*.
Al the mwll
seal in the 11 oust
he remained a me
Congress, until
apeakei; a pnoiti
was a member
would permit.
The close of the war gave an opportunity of
looking into ihe internal anil domestic eoodi-
Hcre Mr. Clav found labor
I
ng of Congress he again look his
st of Representatives, of which
iciuber. with the exception of one
I £25. He was vigain made
in he occupied so long as he
ol thai bodv, when his health
fame, was competent in this task. And whilst I upon him ihe necessity of vindicating loth.—
in the service ol his country he erected a mono- i Triumphantly elected, he entered upmi bis legi
ment to his own memoirryy aass Ilasting, as imposing
os Ihe history of that mtry, more durable lb
marble or brass, he at the same lime delivered
his most eloquent, most appropriate eulogy.—
Panegyric applied to him, if not offensive would
al least he in bad taste and out of place, whilst a
bare recital of the incidents, and servic
life will contribute a more eloquent, a n
lative
pos, IV
with a fixed and unalterable pur
in which bt never swerved, to act solely
for the public good regardless ol his popularity.
Remaining in the legislature for several years.
he Ircquciitly came in collision with Ihe ablest
and most distinguished debaters ol the Slate with-of
his out encountering a superior. In lKlld, being
then in the thirtieth year of his age, he was n
if the country.
sufficient to engross
call forth ihe eoergii
id currency, interim
live larill wire all
which he fell great
beOIOWed a great
i*
propriate eulogy than any lhat I, or the most j turned to the Senate of the United Stales, then
gifted orator can pronounce. 1 shall therefore I the youngest as he was when he died the oldest
on this occasion endeavour to discharge the duly ' member dial ever occupied a seal in lhal distill-your
have assigned me, by giving a hasty sketch j guished body. In 180!) ho was again returned
of ihe life and services of HENRY CLAV and by
attempting to draw thcrelrom and lo impress up-on
the mintls of us all those lessons of wisdom,
patriotism and devotion to country which his life
and example so ofrcibly and eloquently teach.
He was born in ihe county of Hanover in ihe
Slate of Virginia, on il.e 12lh day ol April, 1777,
of humble, respectable ond pious parents. Before
he attained the age of five years his father dud,
leaving a widow lo rear and educate llieir cumiuno
offspring, aided only by her children as they
might each arrive at years sufficient lo render her
assistance. His father left bun no patrimony ;
lo use his own language he " inherited nothing
hul poverty, ignorance and infancy." His edu-cation
was limited and dclective ; and such only : leader ol ihe g
ns be received by a very shorl privilege in broken ! and ardent tnnj
intervals at one of the humble and lowly district injuries and insult:
schools of lhat day. His mother was indigcnl, country, his feelings were wrought lo the highest
and had nol the means of giving him a more pitch of indignation by the repealed wrongs of
thorough education, whilst ihe scrvicesnl her son the llritish Government, such as impressing A-were
indispensibly necessary for the support ami merican seamen, claiming and exercising tl
msintainancc of hcrsplf and younger member* of
her family. Those services he most cheerfully
rendered. He was indeed no "stranger lo the
use of the plough, the spade, and the hoe, over
which by the sweat of his brow, he literal!v earn*
ed his daily bread." lly the Indoatry and per-oetotooee
with which he discharged these humble
ond arduous labors, by the i.< d and deration
with which he performed these filial duties ho and ihe country to what be regorded .is ooront
d himself without restraint
young, only about thirty-f
id.
is entire attention, and to
il his inlellecl. A dernng-mprovcmcni.
and a protec-hieett
of legislation, aboul
ilicitudr, and on which he
ileal of rcllectioo. In conse-lUODee
of the importance ol these and other sub-cls
lie declined every position io Mr. Monroe's
binel; and tlao the mission lo Russia.
Whilst he thus arrested the attention and exci-ted
die admiration of all honorable, men by exhib-iting
lo the world an instance of a patriot, whom
the allurements of no exalted station could entice
from the path of doty, could even induce to relin-quish
a more humble for a more honorable sta-tion,
he was equally distinguished by the com-plete
Independence with which he ever acted on
■II questions effecting the interest of his country.
No idea of self promotion, no pride oi consisten-cy,
no lavor, fear or uffcciion. could bias or influ-ence
his public conduct. Experience and the
progress ol the war, having convinced him of
the necessity and constitutionality ofa United
States bank, to which he hail previously been
decidedly opposed, he did DOt hesitate to avow a
change of opinion and to assist in establishing
such an institution both by Ins speeches and his
voles. This oil' change on a great question cx-
And now being ' luhits hisingenuousness ; ihe 1*01 that during his
years of age, /Ac j lile he changed but once on an important qncs-eat
republican parly, ol a waun lion shows his firmness and stability. Although
it, sensiiive lojthe lligbteal | flattered by Presidents Madison and Monroe, in
I might bo oticml lo his I the various exalted stations offered-anil pressed
10 the same station, ami in 1811 he was elicit
to Ihe House ol Representatives, where the dis.
linguished and unparalleled honor was conferred
upon him of being appointed speaker to preside
over the deliberations ul lhat body the lirsl day
he sat as a memiier thereof. The ability, dignity
and success with which he discharged ihe duties
of that honorable and responsible Italian, show
llial the honor was not improperly conferred ;
for he is regarded by common consent as the
best presiding officer the country has produced.
Wilh him liberty and hive ol country was a
passion to the indulgence of which be surrender-right
to search American vessels, Interfering with,
ami committing depredetiooi upon American [
commerce. He felt thai the period hod arrived
when ihe nation must vindicate us honor, when
11 must assist and maintain its national iiidipcn
deoce, and arhen war, the last sad resort ol no*
lions, bad become ioavitoble, all il lagic powei
oquonce W.M exerted 10 oiouei Gongreai
upon him by each of Ihein, as though he almost
possessed tin' power of ubiquity ; although his
personal and political relations with each of them
were friendly and intimate, yet none of these
eooriden s could hiiarof bond ihe dictates of
Ins understanding, or influent* his action on any
queslion on which his views and theirs iviglit be
ll variance. The conduct of (iencral Jackson
in the Seminolc war, 10 some portions ol which
hi Preel lent Mr. Monroe was implicated, excited
1 greatdi al oi popoUrattention and clamor. Mr.
Clay andolhem regarded ihoir eoaduel as dan-gerous
to the otability ol the government, in vio-ihe
only man of Ihem all equal to the cmergen-cy,
might yet averl Ihe appalling danger ; this
hope and this confidence were nol misplaced.
For he risinc, in his powers and patriotism as
dangers thickened and grew more appalling, sum-moning
all his energies and powers, wilh the
severest labor and excruciating anxiety, devised
and submitted a plan of compromise 10 ihe con-sideration
of the Senate. He urged its adoption
with all the powers of his persuasive eloquence.
He was at length auccessful; tho compromise
was adopted, ihe nation bieathed freely for the
Union was again secure. 7'Ae;i ihe whole coun-try
bore honorable testimony to his greatness and
in Ins patriotism. He continued in the Senate,
actively participating in all its legislation, striving
to defend the constitution and the laws from all
assaults, lo remove all distress, and to restore
prosperity to the eountry until 1842. Al ibis
lime he retired to private life, leaving die Senate,
Ihe theatre of his public services, of hia glory and
renown, at he supposed forever. Yet he could
nol leave, without feeling, a most ardent desire,
lhat Ihe Senate and the Government might bnlh
be preserved in all their purity. So feeling he
poured lorlh from the fountains of his warm heart
this patriotic wish : " in retiring as I am about
lo do lorevrr, from ihe Senale, suffer me to ex-press
my heart-felt wishes, lhat all Ihe great and
patriotic objects of ihe wise fratners of our consti-tution,
may be fulfilled ; that the high destiny
designed for il may be fully answered; and thai
its deliberations now and hereafter may eventuate
iu securing ihe prosperity of our beloved coun-try,
in maintaining its rights anil honor abroad,
and upholding ils inieresl al home."
The entire Senale, composed of aged anil dig-nified
men, for ihe present forgetful i.f^all politic-al
difference, of every personal collision, wept as
the sound of his voice died in lhat chamber, al
the prospect of the nations losing the benefit of
the wisdom and prudent counsels of the patriot
and statesman who had jnsl relircd from their
midst. An awful silence for some time pervaded
ihe chamber. It was at length broken by a m
1812, and the Missouri compromise, and seeing ljon from „ Bg„a|0r, Uial the Senate do now ad-the
eudeuces of prosperity and progress through-1 journ. This motion prevailed bv a unanimous
oul uur borders, he consented lo accept the ap- . ,„,„, anj eOMliWled Ihe highest compliment ever
poinimenl of Secretary ol Stale, and entered upon j bestowed by that distinguished body—a eompli-
Ibe performance ol the duties theieof. The abil-1 merit proceeding from the hearlt of ihsoe by
tty and success wall which he discharged ihe j whom j, w„ beslnwed.
dunes ol lhat station, were such as Ins known |n 1844 ho was a candidate for the I'residcn-characler
and patriotism would induce us to ex-1 cy 0f ,ne (Jri,i*d Stales; although he desired the
peel, and show lhal Presidents Madison, Monroe | good 0pjnjon amJ support of his fellow citizens
and Adams had not overrated his capacity and
patriotism, and lhat there was not in the Repub-lic
oue citizen inure competent than he lo lake
charge of thai deparlineni. In thai position it is
said dial he negotiated more commercial treaties
than had been dune by all preceding administra-tions
combined. He continued in that position
until the close of Mr. Adams' administration in
1821) after which he retired to private life.
In the Autumn of 1831, he again returned lo
ihe Senate of the United Slates. Al this time
and for a number of years thereafter, the Senate
was, perhaps, as able a body as any legislative
assembly that ever convened on earth. It so
happened lhal a series of the mosl exciting and
interesting questions came up for Ihe action ol
Congress, and amused ami called into action all
the forensic powers and eloquence of which lhal
body was susceptible. Mr. Clay actively par-ticipated
in the debates on all important questions,
and mingled m those forensic contest* without en-countering
a superior on one solitary occasion.
He exhibited Ihe same uniiring industry ; the
same pairiolic devotion lhat had distinguished him
through life ; die same ardent desire for the hon-or,
prosperity and welfare of his country. In
1831-*.'t2. Mr* Van Boron9! nomination as minis-ter
10 England, came op for confirmation. He,
when Secretary of Stale, had given insuuclions
10 Mr. McLanc.thcu minister to England, at Mr.
Clay thought inconsistent •' with the high, un-sullied
and dignified character of our previous
diplomacy ;" that ihey were, •• on the contrary,
the language ol an humble vassal 10 a proud and
haughty lord :" language •• prostrating and de.
grading ihe American eagle before llio British
lion." For these reasons. Mr. Clay, with his
exalted feelings of national piide, thinking Mr.
Van Bonn OH improper person 10 inainunn Ihe
nation's honor abroad, although cuicriaining feel-ings
of personal friendship and kindness, luted
against the roiiliruiatioii of his nomination.
A few years thereafter, ihe public deposits
were removed from the United Slates Hank, iu
which Mr. Ciay thought that the President ol
ihe United Slates had exercised powers nol del-egated
by the constitution or laws, but in viola-tion
of holh. So believing, allhouph hostile re-lations
then existed betWISI htm and the Presi-dent,
yel delcrinincii lo maintain unsullied the
laws and constitution of his country, he introduc-ed
resolutions condemning the conduct of ihe
President, and urged their passage through the
Senate wilh all the power nod eloquence he could
command. As personal and pohucal friendship
he spurned lo obtain them by any unworthy sa
rifices. Desiring to asccntl ihe pyramid of fame
he strove to do it by Ihe sublime flight of the
eagle, nol by ihe lorluous windings of ihe reptile.
In this contesi the truth and sincerity of his de-claration
"I would rather be light than be Presi-dent
ol Ihe United Stales " were clearly establish-ed.
Had he advocated ihe annexation of Texas
no one doubled, he did not himself doubt, that
he would be elected President ol ihe U. Slates
by an overwhelming majority. Yet he chose 10
hazard thai exalted station, that gliltering prize,
in discharging what he believed 10 he a solemn
duty tu his country, believing thai Texas could
nol be annexed without a breach of faith, lhal
the annexation would be an act of war, and
mighl result iu an actual collision wilh Mexico,
which. In its remote consequences and results,
might hazard the existence of ihe Union itself, he
would nol advocate il. bul announced 10 lite
country his opposition to the measure. That
opposition effected his defeat.
The annexation, as he predicted, brought on
the Mexictn war. When il was delicately com-municated
to him lhat his gallant son who bore
Ihe same name and inherited ihe spirit of his fa-ther,
Ihe lieutenant colonel of a volunteer regi-ment,
had fallen at the head of his column nobly
/mi/in" Ihe charge ; with the hoi tears of the fa-ther
and ihe spirit of an American patriot, chok-ing
with emotion, he exclaimed," My son! my
son! he has fallen! but where he preferred to
fall ! and where il I must lose him, 1 preler lo
lose him, beneath the flag and in the service of
his country."
With the termination, and oul of ihe war eame
ihnse recent and appalling sectional conflicts
wilh whienall are familiar. Mr. Clay in hit re-liremenl
looked on wilh ihe tlccpesi solicitude ami
anxiety. Noble, pairiolic Kentucky, that the
ii.iiinii might, in lhal perilous crisis, have the
benefit of bin wisdom, patriotism and prudent
counsel, called him Irom bis retirement and sent
him 10 the Senale of ihe United Stales.
Though full of years, nnd foil of honor, wilh
alacrity he obeyed his country's call. On taking
Ins scat in the Senate he did nol taunt senators
with the result ol their Texan policy. No ! Far
differ**! was his eeodoeU* lie knew that the Io-nian
was in peril; lhal Ihe government which
he loved, which he had so long nnd faithfully
served, for which he had ever been ready lo sac-rifice
his life, was iu danger. His enquiry was,
how can ihesc difficulties he surmounted f this
ciil
Neither disappointment, wounded pride, nor
self-interest could clog the wings of his patriot-ism.
II is were" the high, the noble, lb* sublime
emotions of patriotism, which soaring toward*
heaven, rises far above all mean, low or selfish
I Jackson prevent In in from I things, and is absorbed by one soul-lransporiing
■id constitution of the coun- thought of the good and the glory of his eoun-lry."
His was" lhat patriotism which, catch-ing
its inspiration from the immortal Cod, and
leaving al an immeasurable distance below, all
lesser, groveling personal intere.-ls and reelingl
ml a sense of lavor conferred could nol protect | [ ll;1HI |jC preserved I our liberties be perpetual-
President Monroe from his opposition in sll
cases in which he regarded the constitution as
violated bv him; as personal friendship with
Mr, Van Boron, could not induce him to vote (or
his confirmation when a due sense of national
honor forbid it;—so neither could the hostility
ami frowns of Genet
vindicating the laws
try against his assaults.
No grand juror ever more strictly performed
his duties without fear, favor or affection, than
did Mr. Clay maintain, vindicate and defend the
honor, ihe laws and the constitution of his coun-try.
As he advanced In years and uscluli
greater difliciiltics and dangers appeared lo .-,
up SO llio test lbs extent of his resources and
patriotism, the powers of Ins endurance and forti-tude.
In 1832-'33 the spirit of nullification had
reached an alarming point; when one section of
country had threatened lo nullity and resist the
laws of the nation, when an actual collision up-pcared
almost Inevitable, whoa fraternal blood
was about lo flow from irremediable WMOdt,
from wound- none could hope lo see healed
Thssi difficulties threatening cither a consolida-tion
of the Slates or a severance of the Union,
ol merino*!
11 was
'I know
but my
males and prompts 10 d
1,1 of valor, of devotion and of death ItSoM
p I such patriotism as this thai exclaimed,
no North, no South, no East, no West
whole country.
The result of his patriotic labors in lhat peril-ous
crisis is known 10 all. The Union by his
exertions, aided by other great nnd good men,
was saved. The anxiety, the suspense and la-bor
were too much (or his age ami strength.
They brought on ihe disease, say. Ins pby-uian.
of which be died. He was the gallant leader ol
a bund of noble patriots against the hosts of fa-naticism
: and althnugh his chtirgt was moot—■
werl calculated lo appal the stoniest heart. Tl • . lul, and the Union was delcnde'l, he kit morial-whole
nation sppreeiolod the danger and tremb-' ly wounded.
led with apprchcii-1011. The ey cs of all American I This day we breathe Ihe air of liberty and u
(.Illinois, IRIW forgetful of oil personal and politic-
,'■ oppoailion. were aimed Iu .Mr. Clay,
, null suoug hope dud
lion in 11
image is n
touudtticc, thai he, ibuuldcruig bun
:nst of our lamented friend, whose
us, inn whose bones art
tb the idods of the valley !
What should be our gratitude, what our emn-limit!
^ They may be fell, bul are nol to be
spoken)! Whilst dying of a disease tliut acquired,
snd our countrymen in their enthusiasm for a
distinguished anil unfortunate foreigner, forgetful
of Ihe doctrine* of neutrality, were aboul lo de-part
from the teaching* of the father ol his eoun-lry,
Mr. Clay retaught the same lesson*, sod
gave them the force and solemnity of hit dying
injunctions. As we mourn his death,let uacare-fully
ol'scno an.1 heed his solemn war ling. iVhilat
our gratitude is ever due 10 Washington, and Ihe
lalhera of Ihe Republic fur their courage and wis-dom,
by virtue of which our free institutions were
established, so, also, we should be ever grate-ful
10 Henry Clay for hating wilh equal labor
and difficuliv, wilh equal wisdom and patnoliara*
aterled (he periloua dangers which threatened
their destruction.
Thus taking a cursory view of ihe life of this
dialinguished American citizen, and reflecting
upon the lowly and humble condition from which
by his own unaided energy and genius he eletal*
ed himself lo almost every exalted station known
to our institutions, we find in his success abun-dant
reason lo excite our wonder and admiration.
Hut when we consider ihe additional facls, lhat
during a long series of years al the bar, in the
service of his country in the halls of legislation, at
home and abroad, in seasons of war and of peace,
and in an exeeutive department, lhal in all these
positions on no occasion did he appear inferior
to any one whom our eounlry has produced, our
wonder and admiration gives place to the most
profound astonishment. In his intellectual con-tests
he was nol striving wilh inferior men : he
had for his rivals and cotnpe'.ilo's. as noble, aa
distinguished, as intellectual a band of patriots
as ever adorned the annals of ibis or any other
nation. In all limes, however, of imminent peril,
as in the war of 1812, Ihe Missouri compromise,
the lariff compromise, and ihe compromises of
the recent terriiorta I anuexalions, constituting diffi-culties
that appalled Ihe stoutest hearts, the whole
country looked to him for national protection and
serurily with more confidence than to any or all
of his competitors. Even they on these occa-sions
apjieared to yield to him the meed of supe-riority
and voluntarily lo assume a secondary
position.
Burn in an humble and lowly condition, and
compelled by necessities in early life lo lake a
practical, rather'than a theoretical view ol all sub-jects,
he acquired the habit ofa practical, com-mon
sense mode of investigation, which distin-guished
him through life. No metaphysical, or
visionary views obstructed the clearness, or ac-curacy
of his perceptions. Passing through all
grades and conditions of life, he became familiar-ly
acquainted with the springs of human action,
and learned lo find and lo tread wilh almost un-erring
certainly theaveiiuet leading Iu Ihe human
heart.
His personal appearance was imposing and
prepossessing. "His voice was exceedingly
s.'vcrv deep toned, and exquisitely in adulated,
a fit organ lo herald forth the noble aentiinenls of
a coble heart." His powers of argument and
close investigation, though of the highest order,
were associated wilh ihe capacity to soar inlo ihe
regions of imagination, with ihe sublime flight of
ihe eagle. These superior powers of oralory, of
practical, common sense, aigumeni, all concen-trated
and combined in him, the prominent and
distinguished traits of whose character were con-sistency,
courage, frankess. and patriotism, ren-dered
Ins eloquence 011 all important absurbing
qiistinns. convincing, overwhelming.
Although it might be regarded as invidious lo
claim for him superiority over all other patriot*
living and dead, with whom he came in collis-ion,
il may not he improper to say lhat in his ca-pacity
lor compromise, for controlling and sub-duing
the passions of men in all periods ul excite-ment,
and in political wisdom and sagacity he
was the superior of ihein I'll.
In the private walks of life he was distinguish-ed
for Ins integrity, his hospitality, and open
hcarledness; for his kindness and liberality 10
the stranger the poor and die friendless. His
powers of conversation were almost unequalled 1
his intimate acquaintance with die habits, and
modes of thought of all conditions of lile. and his
versatile genius rendered him an acceptable com-panion
in any society in which he mighl be
thrown whilst •• the curse of aristocracy never
chilled the warm flow ol his natural feelings."
These were the qualities that iuvestrd his do»
mestic and social circle wilh iheirgreatest charms,
anil made all (except those who were blinded by
prejudice and pohucal opposition} who come
within the sphere of their inllnence his fast and
his abiding friends.
Whilst thus serving and promoting the pros-perity
and honour of his own eounlry. and a-doming
ihe walks of private life, he wai nol un-mindful
or regardless of ihe oppression and «uf-
1 amo ol his Icllovv men throughout Ihe world.
His great heart was sufficiently copacious 10 em-brace
with ils warm sympathies the whole hu-man
family. And when the modern Gieeksex-hibiled
something of the fire of thai patriotism
that warmed ami animated the hearts ollhcir an-cestors,
and resolved to assert and maintain llieir
natural rights, they called from Mr. Clay bursts
of eloquence in ihcir behalf that would have dono
honour lo llieir most renowned orator of anti-quity.
The South American provinces having
resolved 10 throw nlf ihe Spanish yoke, and In
maintain a nslionol independence, likewise elici-ted
ihe warm sympathies of his hearlm their be-half,
lie resolved to render them cverv assis-tance
in bis power, consistent with the neutrality
of his government. The numerous eloquent
speeches delivered by him in behalf of South A-meriean
liberty, were translated and lead at the
head of the Patriol columns. 10 which lus name
became ns familiar as house-hold words, and ner-ved
their arms in battle.
Bat notwithstanding ihe power of hi. eloquence
so ofien heard 111 behalf of human liberty, of Ihe
honor, the welfare and perpetuity of his govern-ment;
the genuineness and devotion of his patriot-ism!
lbs incalculable benefit of his public services;
vet by Ins brilliant, his astonishing, his unpar-rsllelisd
sues* - he become the victim ofjealousy
and the object of ihi basest ond most nofowbdaa
calumny and detraction. For
"Howl • mountain-tops, shall find
The l< Itiestpeak* moat wrapt iocloodoondsoowj
II,. who surpasses 01 ;»..!.
.111 on tlio kale ol uuM* below,