Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-10-11
ALEXANDRIA, Cd. c.
THURSDAY MORNING, OCTOBER II. 1882.


Mr.. CLAr.-The life of Henry Clay exhibits
a continued succession of great efforts and intel
lectual triumphs. His fame rests on far more
enduring materials than those won BY the victori-
Gus soldier His laurels have never been dab
bed in blood. nor is a single cypress entwioed
with the wreath which encircles his brow. His
parents were poor and humble: he inherited no
thing from them but indulgence and honesty He
has risen. however, to the :. topmost rounds Of
honor, Notwithstanding the disadvantages Of his
origin. At the age Of 90. he was licensed to
practise law; removed to Kentucky. and IN a
short time was at the head of the bar in the West
ern Country, A, &c, he was elected to the Lee
gislature of Kentucky, and distinguished himself
in his labors for his constituents. At 90, he was
elected to the Senate of the United States, and
made his first speech in Congress BY advocating
a measure of Internal improvement AT 81, he
made his first effort in favor ui encouraging Ame-
ricas Mechanics and Domestic Manufactures -
At So; he was elected to the House of Represen.
tatives. and on the frs, day of his appearance
was appointed its Speaker, which honorable. dig
nihed aud important Office he continued to hold
as long as he was member of that body. While
he continued in the House, he was considered
one Of the leaders of the Republican Party and
universally acknowledged to be the most popular
and eloquent orator then on the floor. At 81,
he Was sent to Europe as one of the Commits
sioncrs for negotiating peace, and signed the
Treaty OF Client. Al So he was again in Con.
gress, labored to restore a sound currency for
the country, and poured forth the hunders Of his
eloquence tor recognition Of South American
Independence. At 4s, by reconciling the diff.
terence OF party on the Missouri question, he
saved the Union from dissolution. At 46, his
voice was again heard in the cause of Freedom
when urging the acknowledgment oil Grccian Ii.
berty. AT AZ, he Vas made Secretary Of State,
and gained fresh applause by The ability with
which he conducted the ar,luous duties of that
high and responsible Office At 81. he was once
more sent BY his constituents to Congress as
member OF the Senate, Just previous to which he
had unanimous uomihation. from a National
Convention al Baltimore, as candidate for the
office Of Chief Magistrate OF the Union.
During this brilliant career. MIR Clay was al
ways the advocate Of pop,,iar rigAs. He was
empha,iealy the FRIEND OF HE pEopLE.-But
he was never their failerer. In no part of his
public life will he be found to have acted the de-
magogue. An address from meeting in North
Carolina well says, that he has never sought ia.
vor by unworthy means, by minlstering to popu.
pular prejudices-or by exciting or taking adyan.
tase Of popular discontents. Those who are &C.
quainted with his earlier history, who remember
the part he acted in the councils Of his adopted
State. ere from the higher station to which he af.
forwards attained, he became more widely
known, sill recur with just pride to the re.
peated instances in which, with a generous disre-
gard Of consequences, be opposed himself to the
strong current of misguided popular feeling
They still remember the occasions when, with
ready devotion to the true interests of the people
aud tirm fidelity to the CapstitutiOn, he sacri6.
'ed his popularity to his principles, and prefer.
red the good tn the favorof his fellow-citzens.-
10 this spirit he made his noble defence of the |
common Law in the Legislature of Kentucky
10 this spirit he arrayed himself on the weaker |
side in the stubborn conflicts between the old
md new Court Parties, which at one period SO |
earfully asta,ed that State, and il was in the
'ame spirit he subsequently, placed himself in OPP