Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-07-11

MS political Advancement. At an unusually
early age, he was twice chosen by the Legis-
laturc of Kentucky to serve in the Senate Of
the United States during the residue Of the
senatorial terms of other gentlemen. AT the
expiration Of his second term Of service as a
Senator, he was elected a member of the House
! of Representatives, and thus found himself OH
the arena, for which his peculiar powers ad-
mirably fitted him. He was Immediately
chosen Speaker Of the House Of Representa-
tives, place essentially of great eminence
and dignity, and rendered by Mr. Clay an office
OF as much influence as any beneath that of
the Chief Magistrate. During a long course
| Of years in which he was successfully elected
to the Speakers chair, he retained, undinin-
| ished, high degree of control over the house,
and left it without ever having had decision
reversed. MIR. Clay's course as Speaker, was
not less decisive than. it was successful. Far
from making his occupation of the chair an
excuse for Withdrawing himself from the bur-
then OF business or debate, Mr.. Clay permitted
no great question TO pass without such an ex-
preston of his views, as became his standing
and character, and was expected from him par
ticuarly, by the great western portion of the
Union, of which he is SO justly the pride and
delight.
lie was Withdrawn for short period from
the House Of Representatives, as one of the
Ministers sent out to negotiate peace, and
he bore an honorable part in that most adm-
rably conducted negotiation. Before his re-
turn to America, he was employed with Messrs.
Adams and Gallatin to negotiate the CONNER
cial convention with Great-Britain. On his
return, he was requested by Mr.. Madison sue
cessvely to accept an appointment as Minister
to Russia and as member of the Cabinet. He
was likewise offered by Mr.. Monroe place in
the Cabinet, and the mission to England
These honorable offers were declined by Mr..
Clay; nor is it to be regretted that he preferred
confnng himself, for longer time, to the hall
of the National Legislature, station where
his influence was so great, and for which his
aptitude was so conspicuous. He remained in
the House with scarcely an interruption, and
whenever present at the choice Of Speaker,
was the successful candidate for that Office
till the close of Mr.. Monroc's Administration
In the formation Of the now Cabinet, lead
ing Office was Of course due to the west; and
no citizen of that, nor in fact Of any portion of
country possessing a stronger claim, on the
united score of talents, long and honorable
service, and attachment to the great interests
of the country, he was justly selected for the
department of State.
"In this new and arduous office, the public
documents bear testimony to the highest degree
of assiduity and skill, on the part Of Mr.. Clay.
His instructions to Mr. Middleton and to Mr..
Gallatin in England arc Of the first order of
ability, and manifest ripeness of political
knowledge highly honorable to their author.
" Mr.. Clay, as member of Congress, was
distinguished for decisive, independent and
fearless course. He was one Of the most zca-
lous supporters Of the war of 1872 After the
return of peace, he bent the whole power Of
his talents and political influence to procure
the recognition of South America. Before
adopting this very decisive, and, in certain
possible contingencies, highly hazardous meas
ure, the Executive deemed it necessary to be
strongly fortified in the public opinion of the
country, previously and deliberately made up.
This gave to Mr.. Clay's efforts in the House of
Representatives, the aspect OF an opposition
to the counsels Of Mr.. Monroe's administra-
tion. The result, however, was the happiest
imaginable. Had the recognition of the inde-
pcndcnce Of South America been at any earl-
form Of a spontaneous Executive recommen-
dation, to be backed by the more confidential
supporters of the Administration, it would un-
questionably have been resisted, and if it had
prevailed, it would have been on a close di-
vision. The early familiarity, which the
House had acquired by the numerous speech
es Of Mr.. Clay, upon various forms of the
question, had divestcd its bold points of their
terror; and the Executive, having waited the
fullncss oftimc, was strengthened by the unan-
mous sanction of the popular branch of Con-
gress.
"Thc untring efforts of Mr.. Clay in the cause
Of internal Improvements, and in favor Of the
encouragement of domestic manufactures, arc
too we'll known to require to be spoken of, at
large, in this place. He was the great cham