Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-09-27
POLITICAL.
HENRY CLAY.
We copy from the National Intclligen.
Ger, the following sketch of Mr.. CLAY:

Ger, the following sketch OF MIR. CLAY:
Promising, that, as matters now stand,
Mr.. Clay is emphatically the Candidate
of The people, in opposition to the candi-
date Of political managers, we say that
he is recommended to that distinction by
his personal and mental qualities, his pub
lie services, and his long experience in
political life. His public, no less than
his personal character is distinguished by
traits suitable to Republican State esman.
Frankness is predominant trait in his
character. 1t is the quality Of gener-
Gus mind, and it is a virtue in popular
statesman. In government like ours it
is important for the public to know the
sentiments of their public men on all in
teresting questions. Mr.. Clay never
conccals his. There is no mistake in
him. He cannot dlssemble if he would
he would not ifhe could His charac-
ter is also distinguished by Sagaciiy, De-
cision, and Promptitude. The first Of
these qualities conducts him to safe re-
suits: the third leads to action, when ac-
ton can alone be useful. Not least to be
applauded and respected is his lofty hide :.
pendence. Though distinguished men,
Der OF one of the old parties Of the coun-
try, he did not immediate his conscience
on its shrine. He sustained the Navy,
for example, at time when it was OBJ
noxious to that party. He risked his
popularity in doing SO but he preferred
the public good. Happily the whole ma
ton is now but one party on that subject.
Derotion to the Constitution aud the Ln,cs
have pre-eminently distinguished him
through life. His reverence for civil
authority may he said to be interviewer
with the Love Of Liberty and free Mstiiu-
tions which has distinguished him equally
as the Champion Of American freedom
from foreign sway, and the advocate OF
personal rights at home. He is above
all, truly american, in his origin, his ed
cation, and opinions, and in all his prin-
clples of Government and of Legislation.
He has no foreign prepossessions. He
would humble his country before no for
eign potentate. He loves his country
ardently, and he loves it exclusively.
i Mr. Clay took his seat as member OF
the House Of Representatives on the 9TH
I November, 1911, and was, on the same
day, elected its Speaker. This distn-
guIshed office he continued to fill by re-
election, nearly fourteen years, with bu,
! two comparatively short intervals. None
= OF his decisions were ever reversed. His
} first speech in Congress on Internal I'm.
Provements, was, in the Senate during
the session Of 1867, and in favor Of e.
recting the Potomac bridge. This efIor
he afterwards followed up by strenuou.
attempts to build up system on that sub.
Ject. The opinion was known not to be
favorable to tho existence Of power in
Congress to effectuate comprehensive
system Of roads and canals. Il was a.
gainst the influence Of the executive
therefore, that Mr.. Clay had to contend
in his speech, delivered in March, 1918
in support Of the power. He succeeded
in the contest, by vote Of 80 to IS; ant
may be said 10 have thus laid the foun
dation Of the system. His labors to con
sunmate it were continued on all suita
3 Bile occasions, till his retirement from
= Congress. During the session Of 8l5
:. 10, the first measures in the shape Of
: system Tor encouraging our manufactures
e were introduced into Congress. Mr.
= Clay,s share in procuring the passage o
= the Tariff Bill Of that session, and hi
I subsequent exertions in behalf Of tn,
Q American SYSTEM" are well known
: they are SO important that the title o
: Father of the American System" ha
been given him by both his friends an,
{ his enemies.
$ He was the champion of the war will
{ Great Britain, in the councils of his coun
4 TRY, and many's the time we have will
delight heard the vaulted dome of tn
d Capitolresound his eloquent defamation
n in behalf Of Free Trade and Sailor
Rights. Mr.. Clay isknown to have ha
} his full share in negotiating the Cher