Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-10-20
MIR. CLAY

/ '0" AheIlCan REVIEW Tor this month
contain: very ably written and interesting
geographical sketch Of Mr.. Clay, in an arti
sie upon Mr. Prentice's recent volume In
me same article the great political measures
% WHICH he has taken so efficient and so glo-
rious part, are also touched upon.
! Mr Clay was born in Hanover csuniy. V;r
sinia' on The 18th Of April, l777. His father
was clergy man OF talent aud responsibility,
VINO, probably, himself superintendent the
| early education Of bis son Mr.. Clay recei.
yea no other education than that which he
obtained at the common schools and under
me instructions OF has father. and 10 one years
STUDY OF bis profession, before his admission
10 'he nar, al The age Of twenty. lie CON
hieheeo pracuce at Lexington, where he has
since resided In the early part OF his pro
iessionai career he distinguished himself in
various criminal cases, 10 which he defended
the accused He gained high renutat;on
LOT ms SKIN and knowledge in the land laws
Iof virginia, and was often employed in the
management of suits relating to titles.
We pass rapidly over the professional ca
reer of Mr.. Clay, and come at once TO his no
litical life. which is the chief object Of the
present sketch His active concern in the
affairs Of his own State began ALMOST as ear
" as his admission TO the bar. The people
OF Kentucky were then engaged in framing
new Constitution, aud one OF the features
oil the plan which had been submitted 10 them
was provision for the gradual emancipation
OF the slaves. In opposition 10 the known
pre]udices OF majority OF the people, MIR.
Ciay stood forward as the ardeat aud viyor-
ons advocate OF the principle His pen was
busy 10 the journals, and bis voice was fear
iessly raised at public meetings in favor of
tue election of members of The Convention.
VINO would procure lis adoption. So early
IN lie did he profess, IN relation 10 this most
Important and delicate question, The priac.
pies 10 which he has ever since adhered and
which form SO honorable trait 10 his moral
character. The advocates of an opposite sys-
TEN prevailed, and Mr. Clay suffered, in con.
sequence OF the pant he took on tins occasion,
temporary unpopulari;y, which was, howe
yer, removed the next year By his exertions
on the popular side Of the great political anes
IONS which then agitated the Union. "a
gentleman who was present at one Of the
public discussions Of these questions, inform
us" says Mr.. Prentice, .'that it would be i'm
possible to give an adequate idea ef the eff
feet produced" The populace haa assem-
bled IN the fields in the vicinity of Lexia.ton.
and were first addressed by MIR George Nj
cholas, gentleman OF distinction aud DOW
criul speaker. After lac had flashed, the
name OF Clay was shouted from all parts Of
The assembly. The young orator made his
appearance, and, under the disadvantage Of
following so able leader, acquitted himself
with perfect success One or two gentlemen
then attempted TO sustain the opposite opn
ION, but found some difficulty in getting a
hearing. When the meeting was over the
people took Nicholas and Clay upon their
| shoulders. aud, forcing them into carriage,
dteww them through the streets with shouts
| OF applause. This was in the year 1898,
when Mr.. Clay was of course twenty one
years OF age. The triumph OF an orator Who
happens TO he sustaining popular cause, Is,
no doubt, comparatively easy, but it is I'M
possible not to recognize ia the facility with
which Mr. Clay took his station, AT 50 early
an ago, among the ieaGi men OF the State,
ana III Tie iuildeIce WHICH he already ener-
cisco over his fellow citizens, the result not
merely OF superior talent aud cloqueace but
OF bold and commanding energy Of char
acter, which could moi fal, if,an favored by
circumstance, 10 give hnn, as it has done, a
place among the most distinguished States.
men OF the Union
Having already become distinguished in
Kentucky. Mr.. Clay took bis place in the Sc
nate Of the u S. in 1906.
At the moment of his arrival, question
was under debate respecting the expediency
OF authorizing the erection of bridge over
the Potomac to Georgetown, which, for rea-
sons not mentioned by the biographer. seems
to have been opposed. MIR Clay, immedi-
ately upon taking his seat, made brilliant
and effective speech in favor Of the bridge,
which is said to have settled the ques-
ton, the votes before having been equally
divided. 1t is worthy oi remark, that his
first effort in Congress was thus made in
support of the great principle OF Internal In
proeement, the lavorite object of SO many Of
his latter labors
On his return to Kentucky after the expi-
ration of his term IN the Senate, he was IN
mediately re elected TO The State Legislature,
and at the opening of the mex, session was
chosen Speaker Of the General Assembly by
large majority. and remained in that capa
city for several successive years The pecu-
liar talent which he displayed for the perlor-
nance of the difficult and delicate functions
of this office, probably contributed good
deal to bis subsequent elevation to the CORES
ponding station in the Honse of Representa-
tiycs of the United States. He often de-
scended from the Speakers chair to take a
part in the debates, and particularly distin-
gaished himself at the next session after his
return from Congress, by powerful speech
on a very important question connected with
the administration of justice A motion was
made to prohibit the reading in court of any