Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-04-29
ALEXANDRIA,, d.
EByD5T uoRylNG. APRIL 20. 1881
HENRY CLAY.

HENRY CLAf.
I, !. with delight thai we refer TO the name at
the head of this article. In these tlneso OF pour
cal corruption and depravity, OF "eclens'"n III
morals aud in intellect, there Is a relief In con
templating the character OF aTRuLY GREAT MAJ.
HENRY CLAY is such i man. lie mas II. '"'
nobleness OF soul, independence OF sp''il' 'nte,
gritty of heart, aud strength OF miiiu. E
10 win our esteem and admiration. CONTRAST MS
character with those of the miserable tools VIII"
are now at work in our high places, ana no"
elevated does he appear by the cnmpar'soh'-
But we did not commence to write his pahe9yf'e
we intend simply to Introduce TWO 't''.ts ~
our readers. written to Mr.. Prentice. who has late
" published a Biography ct MIR. CLAY one from
jonN Quincy ADAMS, aud the other frnm RICH
ARD RUSH:
"QUINcY, 10Th Oct. 1880.
8. Georpe D. Prentice, Esg. Lering ton, Ky.
Sir: The opinion that | entertained OF the
talents and services Of Mr.. Clay, was manifest
ed to the world By the nomination OF him as Sc
cretary ofState. 1t had already been made known
to him. at the time Of his retirement from Con-
nres. in 1870. | then informed him, that. in the
event of a vacancy III the mission to Great brit-
ain. | should deem il my duty to recommend to
TO the then president, the nomination OF HIM to
that office, if ii would be acceptable to him.
..lmmcdiateIv after the close OF my admins
t%ratiun, an address was transmitted to me by GER
tain ~citizers of New-Jersey, to which | returned
forthwith an answer. In that paper, assigned
the motives which had Induced me TO nOmi-
nate Mr.. Clay to the Office OF Secretary of State.
1t was published in many ot the newspapers, and
remains Il testimonial from me 10 Mr.. Clay. tn
which | could now add, aud fiUm which | could
deduct nothing. With Mr. Claws administration
of the department. of state, | was entirely salts
fed. The composition Of all his official papers
were credi, able to the country
The following is an extract from the paper re-
ferred to by Mr.. ADAMS. The whole communica-
ton is so noble, so beautiful, 50 eloquent and SO
Just. that it deserves TO be inserted entlrc-but
for the present, we only insert that part which
relates TO Mr.. Clay.
1.-The other is equally worthy Of the honor in
which you have associated him with me by your
letter. Upon him the f%oulest ISLANDERS have been
showered. Long known and appreciated, as sue,
c~essively a member of both houses Of your ma.
tional legislature, as the unrivalled speaker, and,
at the same time, most efficient leader Of debates
in one Of thein;-as an able and successful nego.
tiator for your interests in war and in peace, with
foreign powers, and as a powerful candidate Tor
the highest of your trusts. The department Of
state itself was a station, which, by its bestowal,
could confer neither profit nor honor upon him,
but upon which he has shed unfading honor, by
the manner IN which he has discharged its duties.
Prejudice and Passion have charged HIM with OBJ
tanning that Office by bargain and corruption.-
Before you my fellow citizens. in the presence Of
our country and of heaven, | pronounce that
charge totally unfounded. This tribute of just
ice is due from me to him, and | seize with pleas
ure the opportunity afforded me by your letter Of
discharsins the obligation.
CAS- to my motives for rendering to him the
department of state when I did, let that man who
questions them come forward. Let him then Sc.
lect and name the man whom, by his pre-emi-
nent talent. by his splendid services, by his ar.
dent patriotism, by his all embracing public spir-
it, by his fervid eloGuence in behalf of the rights
and liberties of mankind, BY his long experience
in the affairs of the Union, foreign and domestic,
president of the United States, intent only
upon the honor and welfare of his country, ought
to have preferred to HENRY CLAY. Let him
name the man, and then Judge you my fellow cit
liens. of my motive"