Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-05-13
ETeGRlBTY OF HENRY CLAY.
From the ErcnkHn Ga@eite.


the sprig Of 1875, and lost his father
while he was still young. His mother
married again, and removed to Ken
lucky whittier he also emigrated in 1897
and commenced the practice OF law IN
Lexington, at and near which place he
has ever since resided lie married the
next succeeding year, has had eleven
children of whom one son is now at the
law, two daughters married, and an
other son nearly or quite grown.
He studied law under the direction
of chancellor Wythe, of Richmond, Va.
who was distinguished for his good
.ense, his patriotism, and his great in
tegrity. With him Mr.. Clay was IA
vorite. The lofty genius and agreeable
manners of the orphan boy had attract
ed the attention of the venerable cham
cellor, who devoted much time to his
Instruction.
In 1898, the alien and sedition laws,
Just passed, were the subject of much
Importance. Mr.. Clay unhe statingly
threw himself into the contest. The
first efforts of his powerful eloquence
were in opposition to those laws lie
became immediately q favorlte OF Mr.
Nicholas and Breckenridge, who were
distinguished, for their talents and devo-
ton to the cause eli pubieanism; and
remained their friend until another po-
htical crisis separated him from them
A convention was called to remodel the
constitution Of Kentucky, in July, 1889.
The subject of emancipation presented
itself during the canvass, the agitation
was general; in some parts OF the state
It was violent; some candidates declaring
for and some against it. II. Nicholas
and Mr. Breckenridge (since then At
toruey General we're opposed to e.
Emancipation Mr.. Clay differed with
them. lie was in favor of g gradual
emancipation in Kentucky, where he
thought it could safely be effected. He
thought that The proportion OF the black
to the white population was not too great
10 adopt without Inconvenience a gradu-
al system, and held the opinion that it
was the true policy as well as the inpe-
rative duty, of every state to do so, where
the proportion OF the blacks to the
whites was not as tc render such step
highly dangerous This caused a cool
ne% on the part Of Mr. Nicholas towards
Mr., Clay, which continued to the end OF
his life. Exhibiting such powers, such
boldness and liberal sentiments, Nr. Clay
was MT long allowed to remain in private
life. As soon as he was lawfully eligible,
at the age of twenty-four years, be was
elected to seat in the legislature. He
was absent at the time, and the first IN
teliigence be received Of such attention
on the part of his friends, was on return
ing home to Lexington, during the can
yass, which continues open in that state
for three days. He remained in the le-
gislature, sustaining the character of pre-
eminent talent there until 1906, when be
was chosen to succeed the present COVER
nor Adair in the seat vacated by him IN
the senate of the United States Mr. Clay
took his seat in the senate late III the ses-
sion of 1906. No measure OF great pub
lie interest came before that body during
that session and his debut as public
speaker there was made in the discussion
Of bill for erecting a bridge over the
Potomac. This measure excited more
feeling than one of so small consequence
usually does. 1t was vehemently oppo-
sed by the efforts the people Of George
town, and in congress by those members
on whom their representations and re-
quests nad influence, as plan which
threatened to sacrifice the interests OF
George to those Of Alexandrla'and
Washington. o.
Mr.. Clay Showed on that occasion the
preference which he has uniformly evin-
ced for broad national considerations
over those of private nature. He sup
ported the erection of the bridge, and il
was his speech on the occasion which IN
duced the British minister, Mr.. Erskne,
to say, hat he resembled in his person
and manner of speaking, the celebrated
William Pitt. more than any he had
ever seen. The newspapers OF the day
were full Of enconiums on this speech.
At the same session he reported the ex-
tension of the circuit court of the United
States to Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio
this beneficial measure he procured to
be adopted
Being elected to fill the term Of Gen.
Ada,f. his SCAT continued only to the end
of That one session. He then re-entered
the Kentucky legislature, and on all oc-
casions in that body lent his aid to en-