The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-09

HENRY CLAY has not seen sixty-two winters but he
has seen no less Than forty years Of active public
lie commenced his distinguished in 1897 by the
voluntary sacrifice ofhs personal popularity and private
interest," IN noble, generous, but unsuccessful effort to
have the constitution Of Kentucky so amended, as 10
Danish forever from her soil the dark stain Of sapery
u 10 worthy Of remark, that Patrick Henry, Thomas
Jefferson. and Henry Clay-the three greatest cham.
plons OF human liberty and republican institutions that
The world has known less the first Than the
aofesf advocates Of universal freedom.
Al the session Of Congress in 1871 and IL, Mr. Clay
hrst took his seat member OF the House OF Repre-
seniatives and what is without parallel in American
Legislation, elected Speaker the first day he made
his appearance in the Hall of Congress Bot what Ii
sun more extraordinary during all the vehement and
stormy debates growing out OF the war with Great Br
ain-the Seminole war, and all other exciting subjects
LOT the great number Of years during which Mr. Clay
cnped the Chair, not single decision Of has ersr
ffresed W he potc Of a majority Of he House. Does
not this SIMPLE historical fact speak volumes, both for
his cisdom and moderaon Surely, gold that has been
submitted to one continued and intense heat for sixteen
years and shown brighter aud brighter, it passed
through The fiery ordeal, is not unworthy Of being
wrought INTO CIVIC crown, and worn by Sovereign
People, who themselves took the precious metal from
the earth, and tried a in their opn cruc,bie
The year eighteen hundred and twelve was sgnalized
by great events both in Europe aud America From
nnqnestloned official investigation the astounding fact
fnUuSuNd
rican seamen had been pressed into the service and
were then held IN servle bondage the British NAVY +"
In vain was every effort made procure their release
and to prevent the impressment and ruthless captivity
OF American ciizens-whlle navigating the high seas
Strange as it may now SEEM American citizens were
compelled TO carry in their pockets proofs Of their ci-
zenshp, when travelling the great highway Of ma
tons, and IN default of The same, the pretended Lords
o. the Otedh," would nab them wherever they could
ma them, and make them for life the galley sidues Of
British king
American vessels seized by English frigaes and
confscated with their cargoes while within sight OF our
own ports for The pretended violation OF paper blockade
of France This was indeed dark and dismal period
IN American history. Orr commerce was annihlated-
the Indians brbed by British gold waged savage and
successful upon feeble Western frontier and what
was worse than all, and be depored there was
sad mullny among the Of the good ship of State,
The federasts made powerful and desperate struggle
to depose the great captain JAMES MADISON, and fill
his station with one who would allow the British to have
their own way blockading seapons, and oppres
sing our senmen. AT the head Of this base serve
scheme stood Martin Van Buren,. He is the very man
that rose IN the Convention which nominated De Wit
Clinton, and made motion Ito make his nomination
unanimous" Martin Van Buren united heart and soul
with the "blue light" federalsts and the leader OF
the British party IN 1911 and ~ And where was
Henry Clay at this momentous crisis. when his coun-
trys downfall or salvation seemed poised on even
balance! Did he too unite with the fedeTalists in adyo-
eating the mcnstrous claim Of Great Britain TO impress
American sesmen il found without passport" and
blockade the whole world by paper edcl Listen
10 few words OF his aiken from of those speeches
which he so often made in the Hall of Congress, that
knde like an electric spark the sacred fame Of psrlo-
ism 10 every bosom. and excited from Maine 10 Georgia.
and from the Atlantic the Lakes one universal cry,
TO arms to arms :" "Giye US liberty or give us
death"
II Great Britain desires MARK by which she
can know her own subjects, let her give them an
car mark The eoiors thai aoat from The mast head
should be The credentials Of our Seamcn.
In such cause Nth the aid
Of Prorilcncc, we must come out crowded with sue
cess; but ii we fall let us fall like men, LASH
OURSELVES TO OUR GALLANT TARS and
EXPIRE TOGETHEs IN ONE COMMON
STRUGGLE FIGHTING FOR FREE TRADE
AND SEAMEN'S RIGHTS"
"Ths was tine that tried mems souls" Where
was found that little Intriguing spirit OF Van Buren
And where the great and dauntess soul Of CLAY7
AT the treaty Of Client, the British Commissioners
demanded as SINE qua NON, that Great Britain
should, during all after time, enjoy an equal right
with the people of the United States to navigate the
whole OF the Mississippi river And strange as il
may now seem, il is an historical tact, that mao
rity of the American Commissioners were in favor
of granting this most unreasonable and arrogant
claim. Il should be remembered, however, that the
sun of Napoleon had then set--lhat the glory and
power of Great Britain we're at their zenilh-thai
The news oil the battle OF New Orleans had not reach
ed Europe, and that the American Commissioners
had but little grounds for hope while those of Great
Britain we're big with confidence. But the master
sprit-the great champion of Seamen'S Rights"
was member of that memorable Council, and pc
refused TO sign any treaty which contain
ed the conceded right of Great Britain TO navigate
this father of waters" In this struggle, Mr.. Clay
had not like General Jackson, cotton bags for
breast work, nor murderous Kentucky riaemen to
level with the dust, an opposing foe No, il was an
open field fgh-Henry Clay against three friends
and the masters OF Europe, and the conquercrs of
Napoleon. AT this day the five hundred steamboats,,
ercinstpelp American, floating upon the Mississippi,
tell lcho the rict0rg, and throw feeble flicker
ing light upon the dawnng value of that achieve
ment.
II The gratitude of the nation elevated Andrew
Jackson TO the Presidency, for defending bravey
single city, in single engagement, what measure
of thanks shall il beSow upon the man who saved,
in spite of the too willing concession of friends, and
the de'erminale arrogance OF a powerful enemy, a
mighty river which is yet to become the prolific
mother Of a hundred cities?
But Henry Clay did not rest upon the laurels won, by
having brought the war with Great Britain to trlnm-
plant close. No, every page OF American history, from
that period to the present moment records the brisn-
CIV of his genius-the profound sagacty OF his mature
above all, the vesal fire Of patriotism,
that burns brightly upon the altar Of his heart.
Our seamen liberated. our commerce protected who
then the greatest champion of American industry
1t was Henry Clay Who was the first and abest ad-
of great and glorious system Of Internal I'm
provements 1t was Henry Clay. Who lent the pure
devotion and gushing eloquence Of patriots SOUL and
like angel Of peace saved this Union at the time,
when the memorable Missouri question, threatened the
speedy dissolution OF the Republic TWAS Henry Clay
Who affected honorable compromise in the dark and
fearful controversy the Tariff question, which drove
South Carolina in open rebellion TWAS Henry Clay
Who is in favor Of preserving the priceless treasure of
national domain, which acquired by the blood Of
OR common foreathers, and Of aPproprlang the
shall be needed, the support Of schools and the
diffusion Of universal knowledge which is conlessedy
the only palladium Of American liberty 1t is Henry
Clay. When company Of soldiers sent by the Bri
tSh authorities, came into an American port and deli
beately murdered drmcd American citizens sleeping
peaceaby under the protection Of the passport and flag
of their country not content with saugh,erng the
persons on board Of the Caroline, must needs murder