Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-02-15

American people. is daily riang IN the
scale OF moral and political grandeur.
Amid all The storms OF political events
transpiring around him-throush all the
vieissitudes Of the heated and eonvuls-
ed scenes, in which he mingles-not-
lwithstsndiag the personal ambition by
sectional iealousies, or by high party
spint-in ell he stands forth proudly
occupying position far aoove the base
passions that are visible around him,
showing forth all the essential attributes
OF the truly great and good man.
There IS no task moro pleasant, than
the scanning ofthe character. and mark.
ing the conduct Of the good and viriu-
Gus man, We like TO observe the bright
ornaments Of human nature. shrouded
in all the halo Of their own virtues,
mounted on the high pedestal OF their
own greatness. apd endesred by the re-
meinbrance OF their good works. stand.
ing forth amidst the tumults and strife
which threaten TO convulse, il not de-
stroy. the fabric OF our Government
II Is like the breaking Of the morn to an
ocean-tossed mariner. II is like the
Y spot on the arid waste-the cool stream
TO the furnishing traveller.
This may be said 20 be.a high enco-
MUM to pass upon man, by nature frail
and bonn TO err. II is true, that Mr..
Clay, like other men. has his faults
bis ioibles. and weak points OF charac-
ter but they are moe than counter
balanced, by the many virtues of cha
racteF and conduct which he possesses
lie has been the object Of malign. bitter
and unreleniing attacks, from the East
and the North. the South, and-we
blush to own it--from the West; poi
sOned arrows, stepped in all the bitter
ness OF mans hatred, have been hurled
upon him, without number. He has
been The constant and unceasing object
OF attack, both from official influence
and private malice. With a zeal that
would have made better cause tri-
uInphanf. has he been pursued; and
into every portion Of his life. whether
al home or in the Councils OF the nation,
have his enemies attempted TO. pour
the envenomsd sting. But, notwilh.
standing, before the world, and in the
minds OF all men whose visions have
not been clouded by Interest or obscur-
cd by fslsebood, he continues 10 occu-
ny an exalted pre-eminence over many
of the distinguished men Of the day
a living example Of a great and virtu-
oIS mind. trismphing over his enemies;
r. preceding, like the genius of peace,
over the troubled ocean Of the couniry's
Political difficulties.
! What man, whose heart has not be-
come callous TO all the nobler feelings
; OF patriotism, has read without emo
, tons of pleasure, the course Of this
fearless statesman. on that exciting and
dangerous question, the abolition OF
slavery On every occasion, MIR
Clay has shown. himself equal 10 the
emergencies Of his country's peril. but
by no former act has he added so much
TO the wreath with which the future
will eneirole his name. as By his late at
tempt TO harmonic the feelings Of the
South and the NORTH upon the slasery
question. We look upon this as one
OF The most fearless and happy events in
the history Of his political career.
j II was a fearless act: every one
knows the exciting character Of the
abolition question, and the extreme
jeaiously. even to q fault. with which
every mans conduct upon this sub
ject, is viewed by ell, but especially by
the citizens Of the slave holding States
, The fond and doaling mother is not
! more jealous Of the reputation OF her
daughter. than are the people Of the
south and west Of the course Of their
statesmen upon this subject. We need
, not deoy the fact: we are, emphalicsl.
. ly, fastidiously jealous upon this sub.
! Jet; and many Of us manifest more
watchiuiness 10 preserve our property
than desire TO maintain, pure and undi-
minishe0 our rights and privileges IS
citizens. and the principles Of our GO
vernment But MIR Clay, casting
aside oil personal considerations, which
from bis position might have induced
him TO hesitate, boldly threw himself
) into the midst OF the storm. and with
the olive branch in hand. attempted 10
appsasr the elements. w doing so he
must have known, that be vas barring
: his bosom 10 renewed attacks from has
foes--that bis motive would BE- impugn.
ed--friendship Tor the weg assailed;
bat they weighed not IN bis mind
against his eo0niry's prosperity end the
Ipefpetuity Of her Institutions
The act was beneficial Not that
his efforts were attended with immo.
diais success IN staying the elements
Of discofd, bot because their ultimate
tendency musi be 10 harmonize public
feelmg--buug back many Of those v bo
are nov borne away b. the fsnaiicism
Of me nofih-and 70 call forth q more
cool end calm reflection M the minds
Of The enthusiasts Of che soulh Such
has been ne power ~ public sehlrmeni.
20 complttrly ultra hes been ihe pro.
posiifons Of both ne advocates and op.
poaents u the sbolition q slavery
that pcssion. rather than reflection.
has controlled tie action of TIE nass oi
the communny Measures have bren