The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1838-04-27


serve in his place lhe two remaining
years. An important crisis in The hlslo-
~ Of our country Was al hand. War
was raging in Europe. and our flag bad
been repeatedly insulGsd by the contend
ing parties. under preface OF an imPEo-
per interference. course that hal been
most seEBPulously guarded against by our
nation. These depredsliOns upon our
rights. on The part Of England. gathered
new strength with each returning year.
Negotiation lost lis dignily and force, pa
eisie propositions were mel with contempt
by Ihe British court. and our minister
was treated with eoniumely and disre-
gard. II became evident that We should
be under the necessity Of measuring
swords with the old mother country. be-
fare she would cease 10 infringe ourTighis.
Purely American in all his feelings, Mr..
Clay was among the first 10 urge the Ne
cessiiy of preparing for war. Although
he was anxious 10 avoid an open rupture.
yet he vas for maintaining tie honor aud
| dignity Of our government, pure aud I'M
defled. regardless Of consequences. At
the expiration Of his term, in 1911. he
was elected a member Of the House Of
Representatives in Congress, of which
body he WAS chosen speaker by re-
specialize majority. Under the high ex-
ei,emeni that then existed. our country on
the eve OF 4 war with a nation thai had
long been mistress Of the seas. members
differing widely as TO the policy 10 be
pursued, il required much nerge. prG-
denre, and wisdom, To discharge, salts
faelorily and impariially, tire duties tia,
devOlved upon him. Ills talents. howe
Yer. proved equal 10 the task; his friends
were not mistaken in their choice. lie
was a warm advocate for increasing lie
navy, justly considering it the right arm
of our defence. II is to be regretted that
this policy is not more strictly pursued,
and that our maritime force is still FAR in
feriOr TO the resources and magnitude Of
our expanding Republic.
When Mr.. Clay arrived al the conclu-
sion that nothing shor, Of an appeal TO
aims would save our flag from continued
insult, and when war was declared. he
urged the necessity Of prosecuting it with
the utmost vigor and energy. lie recon-
mended raising force without delay, sui.
ficieni to repel all invasion. and il neees.
cay, TO act Extensively, until the pride Of
Great Britain should be reduced To CON-
mon level. and she taught TO respect our
flag and regard our national rights. lie
was in favor Of having the business done
promptly, eiTectually, and quickly. lie
was opposed TO nursing job of this kind,
and advocated strong aud decisive inca.
sures.
Mr.. Clay was continued Speaker of
the House Of Representatives until 1914,
when he was appointed commissioner,
in conjunction with Messrs. Adams and
Ga!la,in, TO meet those OF England, at
Client, for the purpose Of negotiating
peace and a treaty of commerce. So
nObly had he discharged the duties Of the
chair. and so generally had he won the
esteem of the members, that when he
took leave OF them in a short but aiiec-
lionate and eloquent address, the big tears
were seen, on many a manly cheek, chas-
ing each other in quick succession. An
almost unanimous vote OF thanks TO Mr..
Clay, for his valuable services. followed;
and the interesting, soul-silrring scene
closed, by silent look. that told the
emotions Of their hearts. as each mem
Der clasped his hand, and took a final
leave.
The mission OF the commissioners was
crowned with success; hOslilities ceased,
our rights were recognised. our nation
elevated, our honor sustained. and the
valOr of our navy and army placed on the
highes. pinnacle fame could rear. In the
spring following, these commissioners
met at London, and completed the com
mercial treaty, which secured To our
country many new and important advan-
tages. Mr.. Clay proved himself as skill
full in the rules aud iniricacies of diplo-
macy, as those of the court Of ST. James,
who had never properly appreciated the
strength Of American statesmen. In
Messrs. Clay. Adams, and GalIatin, Eng
land saw trio OF talent, not surpassed
by her nobIesl lords.
Mr.. Clay returned from Europe crown
cd with fresh laurels, and was met by his
counlrymen with kind, hearty wei
come. without regard to party. Indeed.
nothing so soon neulrallzrs party spirit in
the breasts of. true patriots, as a war.
However we may differ on matters of
policy, every friend of his country will
unite in the common cause to repel an
invading foe. Peace and prosperity, with
all their blessings. are liable to be poison
ed by the noxious weeds Of jealousy aud
discomfort. which often effect dissolu-
lion Of the body polite, which a rupture
with foreign nation would efTrctnaly
prevent. Civil discord is more fatal than
the attacks Of other enemies.
On his return, Mr.. Clay was again
elected member Of the House OF Repre-