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

Since tho history OF man mas Deen Iceoiueu,
there never has been an individual, so Violent |
ly, unprovokedly, and ungratefully perse-
cuted as Henry Clay; and the malice and
cankcr of the world seems to have been united,
for the production of the prosiratiov of man,
who Of all others, has rendered the most effc-
lent services to his country, and advanced her
interests. her dignity and her happiness.
Those who have paid any attention to the
history Of the Secretary of State, have found
in it, the delineation of characteristics which
all must admire, and which of themselves are
sufficient to dsarm the most malignant natred,
and TO dispel those natural antpathies, which
too often act upon tho illiberal, and the
prejudiccd mind. From his youth upwards, he
has evinccd the utmost devotion for his coun-
try, and when freed from the shackles of non
age, he entered upon his bright career, and
commenced that series of brilliant deeds in the
councils Of the country, which have acquired
for HIM fame, which tho violence Of partizan
zeal cannot tarnish. and which his foes may in
vain strive to lessen.
Unaided by the fostering care Of paternal
kindness. and deprived of the thousand bless
ings which wealth can afford, lie commenced
the busy hustle of life, dependent upon his own
resources; and, relying OH his own talents, he
went on to the accomplishment of that great
ness and distinction, which he now enjoys;-
| and whether he arrive at the point of honor to
which he aims, or not. he will long live in the
hearts Of his toun,rymen; and the future biog-
rapher Of the great men Of America, will dwell
with pleasure on the name of HENRY CLAY,
and future generations will do that justice to
his memory, which the foes to greatness, have
thus far denied him.
Previous to the late Presidential Election,
no public man who has ever existed, had n
smaller number Of enemies than Mr.. Clay;
and whilst his policy was doubted by some,
who could not understand how it were posi-
BILE to conceive system, which would render
a nation great and independent, all acknowl-
edged his mat tchless talents, his political integ-
rty and undoubted patriotism, and honored
him as the pride of the nation, and as one of
the first men Of the age.
But such popularity and general respect was
not destined TO live long and the moment that
the Secretary exercised his Constitutional priv-
lege, and independently and fearlessly voted
for the man whom he considered best qualified
to fill the office Of the Chief M Magistrate of the
nation, the food gates Of scurrility and vituper-
alton we're opened, and Horny Clay, was the
object at which the barbed darts Of the vile
and the Infamous, the dishonest and the cor
rupt were dire cted and an united and violent
effort was made 10 produce his destruction
No falsehood which mendacity could invent,
was too corrupt to be applied to him, and no
venom was too deadly to be cast at the author
of that system and policy, which has saved
thousands of our citizens from the grasp of ap-
preaching ruin. Although opposed at the on
set by host Of talent, who attempted to battle
his efforts to coosummat to his brilliant designs
with one hand he cast aside the obstac that
presented themselves to impede his progress,
and with the other, he held forth, and defend
ed, the chartered liberties of the people.
He had commenced the great aud good work
of renovation; he struggled for the happiness
Of the people-for the prosperity of the ma
tion-his work was a Godke work-and he
trumphed-and redeemcd-and revived the
sinking energies of the nation. This is moi
rant-it is not the idle defamation of en-
thusiastic admirer;-a though partial friend
ship may sometimes give rise to vehemence o
expression, and extravaganza Of language, the
history of tho acts Of HENRY CLAY, prove
that Of his noble and virtuous deeds, "the one
1 half has not yet been told ;''-and the cond.
ton of the manufa curing relations Of thi.
country prove, that we are not wild cnthus
asts, in thus speaking of the distinguished
American Statesman, and the celebrated Ora.
tor Of the West.
Let those who have charged us with the
sins Of extravaganza, and Of writing "prost
run mad" when speaking Of the Secretary o.
State, but for a single moment glance at the
past history of American Manufactures; and
contrasting their once depressed and meIan-
choly condition, with their present happy and
fiourishing state; and then, rejecting upon the
wisdom Of that policy, which was first con-
ceived by late Mr. Speaker, and say if we
nscribe too much to the gigantic efTorts, and
wisdom of Mr.. Secretary Clay.
They need not run back the tides of time
further than the year 1918, before they will
behold a large proportion Of the wealth OF
New England, laying PROSTATE and useless;-
the energies of the people paralyzed, and the
wealth of the nation rapidly sinking beneath