Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-09-20

station, 10 which so many voices were
calling him. He was the more gratifed
by this opportunity, because he had at
one period entertained some doubts on
the subiect-but careful investigation
Of Mr.. Clay's political history, and
personal intercourse with him for the
last protracted session, had satisfied his
own mind, that no man better understood
the true interests Of the country, nor
would pursue them with purer intentions,
than Mr.. Clay. MIR. +. said he took
pleasure to say Of him, that he believed
him to be an upright and much injured
statesman. lie is emphatically the child
Of Liberty, and our free institutions.-I
He possessed no advantages in youth,
but poverty and obscurity-as himself
once more eloqently expressed it, che
was the child of indgence and depen-
dence-his only inheritance was rags and
poverty" But he saw the free, open
way, to fame and honorable distinction,
that the spirit of our happy republic, pre-
sented to all her sons; and he entered the
lists of manly enterprise, and by the en-
ergy of his genius, and :he force Of his
rersevering efforts, rose to the very sum
NIT Of official distinction. He enjoyed
the early confidence of his fellow-citi-
zens. In the Senate and House of Ro-
prese tatives Of the United States-as a
Minister abroad on most difficult and
evcntful embassay-anda as Secretary of
State, he has received unequivocal testi-
monials, that in public estimation, he
was fitted to fill any civil station, in the
gift Of free and enlightened people
But more than this-as speaker Of the
House Of Representatives., it has often
been said of Mr.. CLAY, that he welded
more influence than any man, that ever
occupied that chair. What was it, sir,
that gave him such influence? 1t could
not be mere sOund-for let it be remem-
bered, that no political body of men, in
the country, possess more OF talents, IN
telligence, and independence, than the
House OF Representatives. No sir, said
MIR. +. it was The weight of his chaInc-
ter, tho splendor Of his genius, and his
deep acquaintance with the principles OF
our Government. His whole life has
been political schooling into its doc
trines. His mind is embued with the
very spirit Of republican liberty.
/ Until the late struggle, for the eleva-
ton of General Jackson, no public man
filled larger space than Henry Clay.
Every American honored his talents, ,and
none distrusted his uprig ghtness. AS a
speaker Of the Uouse-as most able
debater in Congro ss-as one Of the re-
representatives. Of his country, in the criti-
cal negotiations with Great Britain, VIC
can all remember, how he was admired
and esteemed. Sir, said Mr.. +. what
has been his offence? One thing, Mr..
Chairman, he could not do. He could
not proclaim General Jackson, to be that,
,rhich IN his conscience, he knc,c him not
to be, en.inently qualified for The discharge
of The high and difficult duties Of President
! of these United Siates. lie dared to dis
pute and deny the prete nsions Of General
Jackson, and for this he has been pur-
sued and hunted, as if he had been a
traitorous viper, and the presses Of the
opposition have been crowded with the
most cruel and bitter imputations. Sir
these wrongs Of Mr.. Clay, form stron.
ger reason for your countenance. Let
us raise shield around this favored sor
Of the country, to repel the darts Of his
prosecutors.
Moreover, sir, said Mr.. F., the public
r conduct Of MIR. Clay entities him to ouI
, confidence. Recur for u moment to O
few Of his measures, and you will find ir
them all, the same characteristic mark.
Of a great mind looking with enlarged
, and liberal views, at their relations anc
I results. Trace his course in the ques
ton of South American Indepe ndence-
, when her patriots were struggling fol
that precious boon, which our fathers, by
}, the blessing of Heaven had gained fo'
: us-where stood Mr.. Clay then' Sir
he well knew, how gratefully il woulo
I cheer the hearts Of our Southern friends
to learn, that there was pulse in Amer.
lean bosoms that beat high in sympathy
= Tor their cause-and he threw the whole
, weight Of his character, and power o
= his talents, into their intercst--and who
8 can soon forget the responding plaudits
= that echoed from the mountains & plain!
8 Of the South, IN gratitude to this friend o
0 freedom. Sir-he loved liberty for II.
t owa sake--with the philanthropy of ,
: great and generous mind. he hailed III
, aspirations, no matter where, or by whom
, they were brenthed forth.
: To come nearer home--consider thu
principles Of Mr.. Clay!s political conduct
in the prote ction Of Domestic Industry
He had often heard British statesmen
discourse most eloquently upon the beau
tiful theory Of free-trads; but when h
looked into British statute books, h
found policy that restrained all com