Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-04-18

Secretary Of State, at whom all the furies of
the assailants were aimed, has survived the
shock, and lives to smile at the malice and
the ire Of his enemies. From the moment
that MIR. Clay, in the exercise of his constitu-
tional privileges. ventured to give his vote to
Mr. John Quincy Adams, the whole phalanx
Of malcontents, has been busily employed
to Gonsunmate his political destruction, and to
convince the world that he has been guilty Of
acts and departures from duty, amounting al
most to mis-prision of treason but in this they
have been defeated, and the Secretary" stands
alone-modern degeneracy has not reached
him - and he presents to the world the singu-
lar spectacle Of man, who could neither be
betrayed OF his enemies, or poisoned by their
malice. Mr.. Clay was born at an eventful
period it was at that moment when the gal
liant fathers of American Liberty were strug-
Cling to throw off the yoke of oppression--he
was literally born amid the whirlwind, and cra-
died by the storm.
From his ancestors he inherited no proud
patrlmonial estate; indgence, ignorance and
infancy was all that he inherited from his faith
er;-and though he entered the public scenes
Of life unaded, and without the smiles
OF friends to cheer him, undismayed by the
difficulties that presented themselves to impede
his progress, he moved on towards the goal
which Inc has at last reached, and which he
haa fnir nd bnn
II is the fate of genius, TO be dampened in
its early ardour, and to be repulsed in its first
exertions by the frowns, and snoers of the
| overbearing and despiteful; and many a fair
| blossom, the native production of genius, has
| been left to pine and suffer, at the hands of
the overbearng and contemptuous, without a
friend to assist or encourage il, when aid was
most required All this was felt by HENRY
CLAY; but with n resolution that knew no
bounds. and not to be intimidated, he went on,
smiled at the futile Vaccinations of his ene-
mics; and happily has lived to realize the hon.
ours OF his country, and TO see his early oppos-
ers prostrated in the dust, or buried in obv-
ion.
The Secretary Of State has risen to his
present elevated situation, by the force Of his
own energies, and the reality Of his merits.
He had scarcely merged from the Office Of the
celebrated George Wythe, when he migrated
to Kentucky, and though lonely STRANGER,
sought for fortune in a region, comp arativciy
forest, and offering but few inducements to
retain within its borders tho young aspirant
for fame, and the ambitious and honorable
adventurer. But his foresight, told him, that
i" westward the course of Empire wends its
way;''-he saw that the valley Of the Missis-
sippi, was destined to tcem with population,
and to give 4" an habitaton," to grea. pco-
pie, and there, like the Bedouin, he pitched
his tent, and resolved, never TO waader
more"
He had not dwelt long in the West, before
his talents attracted the attention of men of
influence; and among others who became de-
lighted with the dawnine energies of his mind.
was that distinguished political writer and
statesman, the late George Nicholas, who, at
the instant. became his friend and benefa ctor.
The circumstance was of no small consequence
to Mr.. Clay; and he ndngcd a fond and a
natural hope, that lns patron would bring him
into notice, accelerate his prospects, and assist
him in laying foundation to his future for
tunes. This his patron would have done for
him, had not circumstances occurred to burst
asunder the ties Of friendship which had existed
between them, and elected the ire of Colonel
Nicholas. 1t was at this period that Ken
tucky was admitted into the Union, md the
people were in convention. engaged in framing
Constitution. II was a question, whether
slavery should or should not be recognized by
the Constitution: and the question caused no
little excitement. Mr.. Clay's patron, Col.
Nicholas, was in favor Of slavery: his protege
was opposed TO il; and daring to advocate the
principles of liberty, he incurred the displea-
sure Of Colonel Nicholas thus lie lost his
| friend, nor could after acts, or concessions,
conciliatc his feelings. This was the first in
| cidcnt that brought MI. Clay into notice; and
although he took hold Of the unpopular side of
| a question, il laid the foundation 10 subsequent
fame. public meeting, on the subject Of
toieratirg slavery in Kentucky, was called at
Lexington, and the populace was addressed
with great vehemcncc by the friends of slave
ry, whilst the foes Of negro bondage dared no,
open their lips, in opposition 10 the slave-rold-
ers-so unpopular was it to oppose the pro-