Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-06-28
From the Western Literary Examiner and Monthly
Review.
SKETCHES OF AMERICAN STATESMEN
BY ERAsTUs BROOKS.
NUMBER ONE-UENRY CLAY.

The proper study Of mankind we are
tod is man. and what better model can
there be for the young men of our day to
study, than the justly honored of our own
counfry,--the Statesmen and Orators who
are of US and among us,-lvlng in our own
time, --born with Us, -communing with us,
making, as it were, their ways our ways,
and their thoughts our thoughts. We are
creatures Of imitation, one TO some
extent influenced by his fellow MAINLAND
all men. agreeably to the design Of Good
Providence, created for comforting social
and mutually sociai benefits. at is not
good FOR man to be alone" is a wise maxim
intended not less for every day improve.
menls and business Of life than for making
men happier and better in their domestic
relations. As it is true that History is
Philosophy teaching by Example" so is it
true that man, the prominent character in
that history ia destined through the power
of philosophy and example, and in Just pro.
portion TO his genius and talents, 10 work
out revolutions and give character and i'm.
porance to the age and country in which
he lives. BY common consent he is made
the organ ct party numbering thousands
and thousands OF men. The multitude
look TO him as an oracle Of wisdom. His
opinions are heard. believed, acknowledged
enforced,-and ALL not because men or
partIzans are by nature or study, man wor>
shippers, but for the better reason tina,
they have confidence IN The honor and
integrity Of the men whom they thus vii
llngly and cheerfny elevate to the places
of rank and importance.
The study OF man, then, is one Of The
nobest of studies, and none can be higher
save the study Of the Great Creator, who
fashioned man after his own image. 1t is
noble because his example is for the veal
or woe of him who studies. aud studied It
will be by the mass of to the one
c'ass n blessing. but 10 the other a curse
To both alike eXerllne a powerful influence
upon present hopes, and our future desinies.
HENRY CLAY is the first man | shall
introduce to your readers. His name is
registered as 1.-THE Father Of the American
System, ""the great Western Orator" and
by the more endenrng name OF "the Anne,
lean Pee fcator;" all of them terms oil
honest praise, and conferred upon him by
the great body of American People. from
n sincere respect to his principles, and ar
undoubied attachment to the man. The
most envlable Dotoriety ever bestowed
upon public man by n grateful people
was that bestowed by Athens upon some
Of her distinguished men. Aristdes Oh.
Just" and Socrates "he Wise," were no.
bier and better titles than ever nation q
people conferred upon Kings or Princes
Such title has been freely granted lc
Henry Clay. He is The American Pacif
Gator, and is known to have been success
ful peace maker at n memorable periol
when the rams fell and The winds blew ant
the storms came threatening. 10 our pollli
cal divisions, to shake the firmest pillars o
the republic 10 their foundation. Henr,
Clay, therefore, ! must think, take him al
IN all, the most prominent man IN lh
country. In peace he has exercised al
"mlld behaviour and humility" and whel
The blast of war has blown" he has stoo
forth the Man, the Patriot, and The States
man. The last words that fell from his lip
IN the Senate Chamber were in refereDc
to the Maine Border War. His word
were the words Of wisdom aud truth. II
, was for peace and quiet, aud hoped tina
during the short remnant of his life h
q should not again see Great Britain, III
I Mother, and the United States the Daugl
], ter, waging together again fierce an
e bloody war. Still, if God in his Provldenc
y ordained otherwise, and the decree shoul
2 go forth from Great Britain that she chos