Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-10-06

A motion was made to prohibit the reading IN
court Of any British decision Or elementary work
on law. 1t was understood that large majority
of the Assembly were in favor Of 1t. Mr. Clay
moved to amend the resolution by limiting it. to
such decisions as took place pr e'iOusly to the De-
claration Of Independence, and thus leaving the
common and statute law. as they stood at that
period, in force. The amendment was warmly
opposed, but, after long and spirited contest,
Mr.. Clay prevailed. BY his efforts on this occa-
sion, he had no doubt rendered great and per-
manent service to the State of Kentucky. AS.
he has sometimes been represented by his enc.
mics as mere demagogue, whose only means OF
producing effect, was to join and lead IN the po-
pular clamor of the day, it may be proper to re-
ma rk, in connection with this subject, that, from
the commencement of his political career up to
the present time, his greatest efforts have been
made as frequently in opposition to, as IN con-
currenCe with the popular feeling and apparently
in both cases with equal success. We have seen,
that his first appearance in Kentucky In the po-
ltical field, was IN the character OF an advocate
of the unpopular doctrine of the emancipation OF
the slaves. On the occasion just mentioned, he
placed himselfin direct opposition to the p"Pu-
lar sentiment. In the subsequent party division
between the friends of the Old and New Court,
which for 50 many years disturbed the State, Mr..
CLAW acted in like manner with the party which
was considered unpopular, but which he finally
sustained by his great eloquence and talent
against all opposition. Lastly, on the interest
Ing occasion Of the election OF President OF the
United States by the House of Representatives
in 1925, he employed his influence, and gave his
vote in favor Of the candidate who might have
been fairly considered as the least popular OF the
three. whose names were before the House.
l. different
perods in the course of ms life sufficiently evnce
that in the regulation of his political conduct, he
has been governed by fixed principles, and not by
selfish regard for temporary popularity.
In the year 1909, Mr.. Thruston, another Sena-
tor in Congress, having resigned his place, Mr..
Clay was called upon to occupy it tor the remain
der Of his term, which was two years. and took
his seat accordingly in the Senate at the close of
that year. As the first speech which he
had made during his former service as Sc
nator, was in favor of Internal improvement.
so It happened, BY a rather singular coincidence,
that the first which he had made during his Sc
cond term was in support OF the encouragement
and protection by Government OF domestic manu-
features. The hostile attitude assumed by some
Of the great foreign powers towards the United
States, had at this time induced our leading po-
litcians to calculate the probability Of war, and
to see the necessity Of making preparations for it
in advance. With this general purpose, a bill
was brought into the Senate to appropriate sum
of money for procuring supplies OF cordase, sail
cloth, and other articles of use in war. During
the progress Of this bill through its different stages
an amendment was proposed, providing that pre-
ference should be given to articles OF American
growth & manufacture, wherever it could be done
without material detriment to the public service.
At the present day, when the great advantages
resulting from the possession of home manufac-
lures are so generally admitted, il will hardly be
thought possible that such a proposition should
have been resisted and least Of all by the repre-
sentatives of this quarter Of the Union The
amendment was, however, urgently opposed by
Senator from Massachusetts, and long debate
ensued upon the general question Of expediency
of the protecting policy, in which Mr.. Clay main
tanned the same opinions which he has ever since
with so much zeal, talent. and success,
as to have acquired the honorable title of the Fla.
Their of the American System.
Mr.. Clay was chosen member OF the House
Of Representatives of the United States i'll 1871,
being then thrty-6ve years Of age, and was i'm.
mediateIy elected Speaker. During the long pc
Rod Of his congressional career. which lasted,
with two short Intervals, from this time till his
entrance into the Department Of State in 1925,
nc WIS ciCStSu SpSoNS' w e"N" S"NNS'
sive House of Representatives. we believe. with
out opposition. 1t is admitted, in fact, by all,
that in dischargiug the arduous and honorable du-
ties of this place, he was singularly successful.
Though emincntly prompt. firm, and decisive, the
frankness and urbanity of his manner prevented
any one from taking offence, and rendered him a
general favorlte.
AS is well reooected he took an early and We.
ry active part in the measures for recognizing the
independence Of the South-American States
His first attempt for this purpose, in 1917, was
not successful; but he renewed his motion at the
next session, and after warm debate it was car
RED by handsome majority.
The services of Mr.. Clay have been according
ly acknowledged with enthusiastic gratitude by
the patriots of Spanish America. His speeches
in Congress were repeatedly read at the head of
their armies, and the thanks of their Legislative
Assemblies were publicly offered him ON several
occasions Among the various testimonies of ap-
probation bestowed upon his course on this sub