Litchfield enquirer., 1829-09-17
from the American Monthly Magazine. ]
MIR, CLAY.

1t is consequence flowing from the ma
ture of our institutions, that the charac-
ter and estimate of individuals, of high
merit, we might almost say their positive
power and influence, depend little on the
possession of Office. A more striking
proof of the truth Of this remark need not
be wished, than is furnished in the case of
him, whose name we have placed at the
head Of this article. In the five and twen-
ty years during which Mr.. Clay has been
occupied in public offices, there has never
been moment, in Which so great por-
ton of public respect and regard has SEEM
ed to attach to him, as at the present,
when party calumny and party clamor
have driven him, and his associates in tho
Executive Government of our country,
from. their stations. When the third rate
men, whom circumstance and forplhe have
placed in power, as one is almost.tempted
to think, by way Of a jest upon our elective
systems, shall have passed away, leaving
no more track than the slightest cloud
leaves in the sky over which it passes, the
name of Mr.. Clay will be connected with
memorials Of talent and evidences of pat
rotism which will embody his name and
character in the history of his country.
1t is not our purpose, however, TO pass
encomiums on this distinguished man, nor
is it even our object to endeavor to attract
public attention towards him. Fhis last
purpose, indeed, would be quite snperfiu-
Gus. In this part Of the country, certain
ly, we hesitate not to say that he is, at
this moment, an object Of higher and more
general regard than any other public man.
Admiration for his talents and respect for
his principles are accompanied, vefp gen.
orally throughout England al least,
with the conviction that he has s Tered
great injustice, and most unmerited abuse. |
The time may come, or it may not, when
il shall be deemed proper to give express
sion, in the most effectual manner, to these
sentiments of attachment. But, in the
mean time, the truth that they exist, deep
and strong, is too obvious for any thing but
falsehood or folly to deny. Mr.. Clay has
himself not frequently visited New-Eng-
land. he has been seen but by few of her
citizens and on this account, mai,,ly, we
have thought fo." observations il. regard
to him might not be unacceptable to our
readers.
ur ab s5ss;7 inv Mr.; d Eatk;
though somewhat slender, and of "a striking
and manly carriage and department. He
may now be, we suppose, fifty-fve years
of age. For the last six or seven years,
his health has been delicate, and OCCASION
ally feeble but recently it is understood
to have much improved, and now 10 give
a promise of entire restoration and confr-
nation. In his ordinary intercourse, Mr..
c. is social, accessible, and interesting
The frankness of his character over1ows |
his manners and in social as we'll as in
public life, he has found sometimes, that
and unsuspecting confidence |
have betrayed him into the power OF men |
of more cunning than principle, and more
selfshness than honor. He possesses the
true spirit Of conversation. 1t is not, with
him, an occasion for a set and formal
speech nor yet one confined to inter-
rogatories and answers on mere topics of
course. He converses with ease and pro-
pricty: his Discourse is sufficiently sweet
and voluble,' and it indicates at the same
time, man Of sense and character; us
ing that word, in its sense of individuality.
His information is various and general, es-
pecially in relation to matters of business
and politics; with much more Of learning
and literature, than the nature of his cdu-
cation and the employments of his life
would leave US to expect.
Mr.. C. went early from Virginia to
Kentucky, to follow his fortunes in the
new and opening world of the West. His
profession was the law; profession
which not only sharpens the intellect, and
strengthens the understanding, but, by the
stimulus of constantly present and active
competition, as we'll as by its connexion
with the means of political advancement,
in government like ours, naturally AVA
kens, in ardent minds, strong paintings of
ambition. Mr.. Clay reached Immediately
high standing, in his profession, and
found himself also at an early period a
member of the Legislature Of the state
From the chair Of the popular branch Of that
body, he was elected senator Ofthe Uni
ted States, in 1910, if we err not in the
date. He remained not long in this stu
alton, perceiving, no doubt. that the capi-
toll had another theatre better fitted for the
part which he was likely to act. He re-
signed his seat in the Senate, we believe,
after having filed it but single session,
and was returned member of the Nation
al House of Representatives from the Lex
ington District. II is an occurrence with
out parallel. that the FIRST day he took his
L.. al e.