Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-02-27
James era wford.
James Z. Cummins,
TO THE EDITOR

"WisuIxGToS, Gath Feb, 1898.
/" I, IS impossible that MIR. Clay be nov what he
The fame which lie has achieved must ha We
been won bv qualities Of far higher order, than those
which he now exhibits. This is my Conviction from
The opinion have always entertained, that
rise from humble station to high political distinction
under institutions such ours, without eminent merit.
II was said by distinguished author, that il requires
genius TO write primer: how much more then is de-
mandeG attain high political eminence in republic.
1t not my good fortune to hear Mr. Clay in his
pamy days, and am therefore, at loss TO account Tor
his great reputation unless upon The superstition which
have expressed It is pleasant to dwell upon such
change. The spectacle Of noble faculties in decay, is
always bumating II teaches US what shadows
we are. and what shadows We pursue. There are some
inGs indeed happily constituted TO preserve their
faculties elastic and unpared the utmost verge of
existence. know nothing SO pleasing to see vgor
of intellect and freshness OF feeling. defying the nroad
OF years and The ravages of time. 1t is proof OF happy
temperament, and The best evidence OF pure l!ie
1.-THE foregoing remarks have been suggested By MIR.
Cloys speech Of Monday last, day dscreetly chosen,
that the sound Of the trumpet might have time collect
an overfowing auditory believe MIR. Clay generally
speaks on Monday. There is sort of dramatic man.
apement in these things which good people al distance
little suspect. thin house is dscouraging 10 the most
confident actor Recoiecling the melancholy caastro-
phe of his attempt TO treat the financial question, MIR.
Clay wisely renowned the effort, and selected topics
much better adapted 10 his peculiar talens-fehement
defamation and personal denunciaon, relieved BY an
alienation Of buresque and pathos, (qnery, bathos-
These constitute the forte of The Senator from Kentucky,
and in these he INDUCED 10 his hearts content and to
the almost total exclusion OF the specific subject under
consideration His speech from beginning 10 end,
the railing Of political termagan AS Mr. Clay is SO
fond Of attacking Others and with unspang violence,
he and his friends must not complain the dart is some
times hurled back upon the aggIessor. There nothing
which despise much that AFFECT serr!l,y, which
would Withdraw certain from the Jurisdiction OF po
tical censorship 1t is the meanest trait of the Anne
rican character. Such immunity mi ght be claimed tor
Washington after DEATH but not for the straining gla
diator in the political LIE, any take up the
leading journals Of England France, and he will be
struck by The bold freedom with which the merits OF
their most distinguished canyassed Theirs Is
no holiday phrase serve fastdousness of language
To return to the speech Of Mr. Clay it just such
one as expected from him uer the catastrophe of the
called session Passionate defamation, all capandun
appeals egostica episodes fierce denuncaton through
all the variations Of which theme is susceptible. AS
10 finance there was nothing OF Cocker in it. In vain
would you look for the high political philosophy of CAL
houn; the strong intellectual grasp of Webster; the
clear accurate, mental vision Of Wright. ltwasa ram
bling dsjnn,ed remorseless. philPPlc uttered with an
imposing Tone deying air, and theatrical pomp Of
manner There is something physical even abou: MI
Cuys not lofty, but energetic intellect OF The earth,
earthly it par,akes rather of matter than OF spirit
Though its grasp be strong and its efforts vigorous,
vet its perceptions not delicate its flight soar
ing With all his apparent reckessness Mr.. Clay IS
shrewJ, experienced man OF The world. lie knows how
to address men, and 10 interest them by topics personal
O
actor of the day. do employ the word in Of:
fensve sense, but implying thorough knowledge OF
the stage effects and ad capandum contrvances OF what
is called oratory On this occasion, his attack on dr.
Calhoun who had given him provocation, was gEa-
tutousy offensive Fe bitterly assaiIed the feelings, The
motives the character of the Senator from South Caro-
lina if spng frenzy By the unapProachaole suPe
riorty Of his majestic speech. II was no clumsy device
to transfer the attack from the arguments 10 The person
of his triumphant rival Dissenting wide as yourself
from some Of the opinions of Mr. Calhoun, am, never
theIess ever ready render justice 10 the holiness OF
his intellect, the scholastic simplicity OF his habits ano
the pnsulIied purity of his lfe The letter writer's VIII
tell you OF course that this speech of Mr. Clay was
eloquent sublime irresistible, scathing, overwhelming
unsurpassed &c, &c But these phrases which are
paid for, probably set down before was
People who cool enough TO attempt to palm OH MI
John Bell great man, are capable OF any thing
Their admiration is preconcerted their enthusiasm OBJ
ligatory.
ais j, not humilintng to see the floor ohe Senate be-
come an arena for the Infatuated gladiaon of president
iaI aspiranis: Gen. Jackson, when he became cand
date for the Chief Aogisracy with the high feeling of
gentleman, resigned his senatorial seat, and awaited IN
calm retirement, the voice Of the people Let me tell
Mr. Clay that the FIRST honor in the gilt OF the nation
is not be won by desperate assault. lhe ninsoon
ne Heaven suTereth violence" but the Presidency OF
these United States is not to be carried by storm
Through what did the present incumbent reach
his exalted sation but, as you so oPPortuhey ce
Mr. Forsyth, his good sense and Admirable 'emPef'
American people appreciate and esteem such quates
The clear sense and calm sagacity which they have IN
heed from their English ancestors and which, perhaps
than any other causes have made the Anglo Sa3
on so preemnent in the various pursuits OF i'ie'
render them, body, averse to violence ana
lon The imn,ss;oned yehemeace of Gen. Jackson,
was admired only as characteristic of the old soldier
who had rendered The Stale much service In The len.ea
heid 1t is melancholy TO see years stealing Vgor from
the frame yet without bringing moderation TO Inc pns
slons dignity The bearing Increasing violence is
sure indication of diminishing force The monuments OF
physicist and intellectual Strength bequeahed to US 6y
the great artists Of Antiquity characterised GS mo
dignity; certain grandeur of repose Its melancholy
too, to age striving with the petulance OF Childhood
and wonan for honors which can do little more