Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-10-06
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 6, 1881.

MIR. Prentice recent volume. In the same arti-
Gle the great political measures IN which he has
taken 50 eficien: and 50 glorious part, are also
touched upon.
Mr.. CLAW was born in Hanover County. Nir-
giuia, on the eth Of April. l777. His father was
clergyman of talent and responsibility, who.
probably, himself superatended the early educa-
ton Of his son. Mr.. Clay received no other edu-
cation than that which he obtained at the common
schools and under the instructions of his father,
and in one years study Of his profession. before
his admission to the bar, at the age Oftwenty.-
lie commenced practice at Lexington. where he
has since resided. In the early part OF his profess
sional career he distinguished himself in various
criminal cases, in which he defended the accus-
I'd. lie gained a high reputation for his skill and
knowledge in the land laws Of Virginia, and was
often emploved in the management OF suits relat-
INC to titles.
We pass rapidly over the professional career
Of Mr. Clay, and come at once to his political lie,
which is the chief object of the present sketch -
Ills active concern in the affairs OF his own State
began almost as early as his admission to the bar
The people Of Kentucky were then engaged IN
framing new Constitution, and one OF the fea-
tures Of the plan which had been submitted to
them WAS provision for the gradual emancipa-
ton OF the slaves. In opposition to the known
preiudices of majority OF the people, Mr.. Clay
soad forward as the ardent and vigorous advocate
IT this principle. His pen was busy in the jour
mails, and his voice was fearessly raised at pub
Tic meetings in favour of the election OF members
of the Convention, who would procure its adop-
ton. So early in life did he profess, in relation
E, this most lnportan and delicate question, the
principles to winch he has ever since adhered and
which form so honorable trait in his moral cha
tacter. The advocates OF an opposite system
prevailed. and Mr.. Clay suffered, in consequence
Of the parthe took on this occasion, temporary
nnpopu.arity, which was, however, removed the
next year by his exertons on the popular side OF
n e great political questions which then aSitatcd
the Cnion A gentleman who was present at
one Of NE public discussions OF these questions,
informed us says Mr.. Prentice, that 1T would be
impossible to give an adequate idea OF the effect
produced The popuace had assembled IN the
fields in the vicinity Of Lexington, and were frst
addressed by Me-. George Nicholas. gentleman
of distinction, and powerful spaker. After he
had finished. the name of Clay was shouted from
ali parts of the assembly. The Young orator made
his appearance, and, under the disadvantage of
following so tble leader, acquitted himself with
perfect success. One or two gentlemen then at
tempted to sustain the opposite opinion but found
some difficulty in getting hearing. When the
meeting was over, the people took Nicholas and
Clay upon their shoulders, aud, forcing them IN
20 a carriage, drew them through the streets with
shouts of applause. This was in the year 1873,
when Mr.. Clay was of course twenty-one years
of ave. The triumph Of at orator who happens
To be sustaining popular cause. is no doubt,com-
narativelv easv: bat it is impossible not to recOs
Mise in the facility with which MIR. Clay took MS
station, at SD early an age, among the leading
men of the State, and in the influence which he
ALREADY exercised over his fellowctiZens, the re-
suit not merely Of superior talent and eloQuence,
bat Of bold and CO mmanding energy of charac-
ter. which could not fail, it at all favored by cir
cumstances, TO give him, as II has done, place
among the most distinguished Statesmen of the
Union.
Having already become distinguished in Ken
tuckv Mr.. Clay took his place in the senate Of
the United States in 1906.
At the moment of bis arrival, question was
under debate respecting the expediency OF au'
thorizins the erection of bridge over the Poto
mac 10 Georgetown, which. for reasons not men.
toned bv the biographer, seems to have been op
poset. Mr.. Clay, Immediately upon taking his
seat, made brilliant and effective speech inHa-
vor of the bridge, which is said to have settled
the question. the votes before having been equal
ly divided It'll worthy of remark, that his first
effort in Congress was thus made in support OF
the great principle Of Internal improvement, the
favorite object Of so many of his latter abors.
On his return to Kentucky. after the explra-
ton Of mis- term in the Senate. he was immediate
" re elected to the State Legislature. and at the
opening Of the next session was chosen Speaker
Of the General assembly by large majority. and
remained in that capacity for several successive
wears. The peculiar talent which he displayed
for the performance of the difficult and delicate
functions of this Office, probably contributed a
good deal to his subsequent elevation to the cor
Responding station in the House Of Representa-.
tiyes of the United States. lie often descended
from the Speakers chair to take part in the de-
Mates. aud particularly distinguished himself at
the next session after his return from Congress,