Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-05-13

date acts, treaties, and geographical au-
thorities, that the Perdido was the east
ern boundary of Louisiana. The speech
delivered by him on the occasion is on
record, and sgenerally conceded to have
shcyn more research and ability than "a
ny other member the many who spoke
or The same subject 1t was describing
Dir Clay on this occasion, that writer
in the. Baltimore American, we'll ac-
qusinted with his character, predicted
his future elevation to the highest station
in the republic.
The other discussion in which he was
particularly eminent was that on the re-
newal Of the charter. This was ia con-
formity with the Instructions Of the legls-
lattre of his state, and also wiki his own
opaion. His speech was exceedingly
powerful, and the Calling irony with
which he treated ole of his opponents,
Mr. Giles of Virginia, sill long be re-
nlembered.
Mr.. Clay is known to have changed
his opinion on the conslitu.ionallty Of a
national bank; and it is the only incon-
Sistency with which he is known to be
chargeabe.- 1t was change, however,
that most OF those who thought with him,
have participated in; a change for the
better and the wiser doctrine; and If it
needed any apology, the frank and man :
ly way in which he subsequently avowed
the change, would more than sufficiently
redeem it. Mr.. Clay was in the chair
of speaker Of the house of representa-
tives when the subject was again before
congress; and as he was not entitled 10
vote. he was not called necessarily to tell
his opinion, but concealment forms no
-St(ks.rtHracteristics, aud with the
utmost manliness, and at the r.Sk of IN
juring his popularity at home, he took
occasion r'hen the house was IN commit
tee Of the whole, s, he therefore was at
liberty to speak, TO own that he had been
convinced Of his error in opposing the
national bank, and from that time he
continued to lend all the aid of his pow
erful eloqaence, jealousy exerted, in
favor of the establishment of one.
Mr.. Clay entered the house of repre-
sentatives of the United States, on the
4th November, 1911, and was on that
day elected speaker. In that situation
no man is balieyedto have acquitted him.
aelf with greater firmness, dignity orim-
partially, and yet no man ever presided
over body more agitated by warm con-
tentions OF party. etook conspicuous
part in the debates which led to the decla-
ration of war in 1912, and exerted him
self along with Lowndes, Cheeves and
others, the best minds in congress, to
place the. country in fitting state OF
preparation.
The navy still continued unpopular at
that time in the western states. Mr.. Clay
perceiying it's advantages, and honestly
pursuing the real good of the nation, did
not hesitate to hazard his popularity at
home by openly advocating an INCREASED
naval armament.
There was a speech delivered about
this tiule, which has beenmuch remarked
and admired as a specimen of brilliant
and imprisoned eloGuence. 1t was a
reply to some severe sarcasu1s uttered
by Mr.. Quincy, and may be found iii the
National intelligencer Of February 6,
1913.
Mr. Clay is well known to have been
in favor of the adoption of system OF
internal taxation simultaneous with the
declaration of war; and when that could
not be effected, he with Mr.. Cheves and
many others, urged its adoption as soon
after as possible. This policy if adopted,
would have saved the government from
much subsequent embarrassment in its
financial affairs, and the nation from ad-
ditional debt, incurred in the course of
the war in the form of loans at yarious
premiums. But the narrow mind or
timid policy of the secretary of the trea-
sury prevailed And the nation has been
forced to pay the cost.
Without any solicitation or wish on his
part, he was appointed, in Jan 1914, one
of the commissioners to treat for peace.
He signed the treaty of Client, and then
proeeeded .toLondon, where he assisted
n concluding the convention which has
been the basis of all our subsequent
commercial policy.
During his absence and without his
knowledge, he was again elected to the
house of representatives. On his return
he entertaining some scruples as to the
constitution, he resigned, and was inn
mediately reelected. In the fall Of
1915, or taking his seat in the house Of
rto,;vros bo ,c.s aoain ,,laced in