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

bis declared opinion, that the greatest
danger to the continuance of the Union
is 20 be feared from the neg ect Of the
federal government to provide for such
system. On the constitutional power
OF the federal government to make such
an application Of the national resources,
he bad no doubt, and contended against
the unfortunate Scruples of MIR. Madison
and Mr.. Monroe, with great force and
zeal. Ills argument on this, case has
been lately re-published in respecta-
bic law journal as standing commen-
tary, and the best that has been made
upon the constitution of the U. States, in
respect to such powers.
That great national tie, the Cumber-
land road, received his constant support,
and the annual appropriation os funds
for it, always strongly opposed, has
owed its success chiefly to his efforts
The spontaneous gratitude of the peo-
pie along the line OF the road, has been
commemorated by the erection of flou-
rishing village, to which has been given
the name ot Clay.
manufactures he has always contended.
In the session of 1915, by the greatest eff
fort ne obtained small majority in COM
! mittee. of the whC:e to place the article
Of WOODEN fabrics at a duty Of thirty per
centum, which would have been sufi-
cient to prevent the~pecessity of any
further application fofAid to that sort of
fabric But unfortunately, the decision
was reversed by a small majority in the
house-when Mr. Clay. was unable to
vote or speak, being in the chair as
speaker-Mr Baldwin's bill also recei-
we'd his firm support. In the session of
ls17-ls, he first brought forward his
proposal for The recognition of South
American independence. In that great
career he labored with zeal, eloquence
and perseverance of which it was every
way worthy, until he finally carried with
him the vote of.the house of representa-
tives. He VIA, opposed by all the selfish
and calculating feelings of commerce
that very commerce which has been so
much benefited by the measure he adj
vocated, s. by the earnest exertons of
large portion of the. house. But sus-
tanned by the voice Of the people, and
by the virtue Of the cause, and 2etseve-
led until completely triumphant His
speeches on this important topic, many
OF which are preserved, will be sufficient
of themselves to transmit bis name, with
honor, to posterity, both from the gene
rous sentiments and enlightened views
which they exhibit.
The system of navigation which was
adopted to induce Great Britain to let us
into fair participation with her own
vessels in the West India trade, received
his cordial support The policy Of the
law was much questioned. and meetings
were held in Virginia and elsewhere to
petition against it; but experience has
proved its efficiency. 'Fix.ar
Perhaps no period of Mr. Clsy's poll
teal career has been so brilliant as the
few weeks which he passed at Washing
ton in the last session of the sixteenth
congress. 1t was then that al his efforts
were crowned with complete success in
the eauAe3f Spanish America. Then
also he contributed so poRe fully and so
mainly to allay the fermen. which had
risen out of the unhappy Missouri ques-
ton. He arrived in the month of Janu-
airy; the debate had then continued four
weeks, the excitement was terrible, and
the dissolution of the union Or civil war
was not an improbable or imaginary APP
prehension. The cool wisdom of Ser
geant found no fit auditors among the
angry legislators; the bland persuasions
of the amable Lowndes had no power to
soothe such exasperated feelings. Dir.
Clay saw the danger to (which the nation
was exposed, and devoted his efforts to
avert it. In the house and out of the
house, day and night, he labored, and the
compromise was the result of his exer-
tons; a compromise which is believed to
have preserved the peace of the nation.
The language held at thetime was CLAY
has saved what Washington achievedo
Such was the impression made by the ac-
tual view of all that MIR. Clay did on that
critical occasion.
The compromise then made has been
vehementy censured. But it is proof
of its fairness that both parties were dis
satisfied, thus admitting that the eonces-
sion was mutual, and of its expediency
that the storm immediatel y subsidized, and
harmony was completely restored Nor
was it thought any feelings or opinions
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