The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-09-26

oil Liberty, aud our free institutions. He pos
sessed no advantage in youth, but poverty and
obscurlty-as himself once more eloquently ex-
pressed II, i" he was the child Of Indulgence and
dependence-his only inheritance was rags md
poverty" But he saw the free, open way, to
lame and honorable distinction, that the spirit
oil our happy republic, presented to all her sons
and he entered the lists OF manly enterprize,
and BY the energy OF his genius, and the force
of his persevering efforts, rose to the very sum-
mil of official distinction. He enjoyed the early
confidence of his fellow citizens. In the Senate
and House of Representatives, OF the United
States-as Minister abroad on q most difficult
and eventful embassy-and as Secretary Of
State, he has received uncquivocal testimonials.
that in public estimation, he was fitted to fill
any civil station, in tile gift Of free and en-
lightened people. But more than this AS
Speaker Of the House of Representatives. il has
often been said of MIR. Clay, that he welded
more influence than any man, that ever occupi
ed that chair What was it, sir, that gave him
such influence 1t could not be mere sound
for let il be remembered, that no political body
of men, in any country, possess more OF talents,
intelligence, and independence, than the House
Of Representatives. No sir, said MIR. F., il was
the weight of his character, the splendor of his
genius, and his deep acquaintance with the
principles of our government. His whole life
has been political schooling into its doctrines
His mind is imhued with the very spirit Of re-
publican liberty.
Until the late struggle, for the elevation Of
Gen, Jackson no public man filled larger space
than Henry Clay Every American honored
his talents, and none dstrusted his upri ghtness.
As Speaker OF the House-as a most able de-
batter in Congress-as one of the representa-
lives of his country, in the critical negotiations
wI q Rrifotn oil rn,,o,nhor bov
ne was admired and esteemed. Sir, said Mr.
F, what has been his offence' One thing, Mr.
Chairman, he could not do. He could not pro.
claim Gen. Jackson, 10 be that, which in his
conscience, he knc,o him not TO be, eminently
qualified for the discharge of the high and diff
cul. duties of Presiden, of these United States
He dared to dispute and DENY the pretensions
of Gen. 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, those wrongs of Mr.. Clay,
form strong reason for our countenance Let
us raise shield around this favored son of the
country, to repel the darts of his prosecutors.
Mr.. r. then went into an examination of sew
eral of the prominent measures which have
been advocated and sustained by Mr. Clay, such
as the South American Independence, Domes-
tic Industry, and Internal improvements, and
then adverted to his last great mcasuie-his
bill, report, and speech on the Public Lands
He insisted that Mr.. Clay's conduct-hs abli-
ty developed in the report and dscusslOn-the
fearless and manly irankness with which he
met crisis almost forced upon him. all tended
to cLtnch the confidence that he felt in H. in
tegrity of purpose You will recollect, sir, said
Mr.. F., that this was a duty altogether un.
sought by Mr. CIay-he was member of the
committee of manufactures, and insisted that
reference of the public lands TO his committee
was not fit or according 20 parliamentary rules
the reference, however was made, and Mr.
Clay was charged with most difficult aud del
icate service. There stood the West with ex
travagant calculations, many Of her citizens had
persuaded themselves into the notion, that this
noble public, and common domain, belonged in
exclusive propriety to the States in which il
was situated. What fine theme was here pre-
sented for an artful and intriguing policy to
manage; to hatter and soothe the warmly cher
ished expectations of the West-and yet keep
in good humor the watchful old children But
what did Mr. Clay with his habtual honesty
of heart, he Indignantly repealed the unfounded
pretens;on OF exclusive claim by any portion of
the UnIon-and demonstrated by most conclu
sive reasoning, that the Public Lands were the
fruit of common blood and treasure-and there
fore were and ought to remain, common fund
for the benefit of The whole
In conclusion, Mr.. F. repeated his conviction
that while MIR. Clay was subject like all men to
tanlis, he was worthy of the confidence of his
country-and to borrow the language of po-
litical opponent there was nobleness about
the man, for you a'acays knoic ,ohere TO find him.
Reirace his whole life, sir-in many trying ext
gencIes OF the country, when or where was it,
that he betrayed the slightest symptom of an
found His opinions and feelings, with all his
view of national prosperity-and of the nature
and principles of our constitution are before
his country. Every man can read them-and
1t Is ardently hoped that by decided expression
OF the nations will, both Mr.. Clay and his
measures will be sustained.