Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1839-06-24
POI.sTICAI..
From the IFestera Literary Examiner.
HENRY CLAY.

/
HENRY CLAY.
The most cnvable notorety ever bestowed upon
public man by grateful people, was that bestowed
/ by Athens upon some OF her distinguished mem
ArIsldes "he Just" and Socrates " he UiSe.'
were nobcr and better titles than ever a nation or
people conferred upon Kings or Princes. Such IL
tie has been freely granted to Henry Clay lie is
the American Pdc,fcdor, and Is known to have been
successfully peace maker AT memorable period
when the rains fell and the winds blew aud the storms
came threatening, 10 our political divisions, 10 shake
the hfmest pillars of the republic TO their ounda-
ton. Henry Clay, therefore, must think, taxi c
nm all IN all the most prominent man IN the coun-
try In peace he has exercised all mild behaviour
aud humility" and when the - blast of war was
blown" he has stood forth tho Alan, the Patriot, and
the statesman. The last words that fell from his
lips IN the Senate Chamber were in reference to the
Maine Border War. His words were The words Of
wisdom aud truth. lie was for peace and quiet. and
hoped that during the short remnant of his life he
should not again see Great Britain, the Mother and
the United States, the Daughter. maging together
agalp fierce aud bloody war. Still, if God in his
Providence ordained otherwise, and the decree
should 90 forth from Great Britain that She chose
TO be in the wrong. and still the wrong pursued-dc-
tcrmined to invade our soil-ihen he was for The
last, worst, dreadful atcrn,tive-WA Maine
should be 10 him as his Kentucky, aud in such a
contest he wondk know no difference between the East
and the west. Every American heart Responded TO
Mr. Clay IN this sentiment, and it wns with delight
that saw aud heard an esteemed Senator from The
North, OF great discretion, judgment, aud learning
take him by the hand and tell hin, in all sineery as
he before and afterwards told others that he was the
man Tor such an emergency, aud that he had spok en-
the words OF tru ii and soberness In dis Mr. CLAY
was, as he is always the best calculated TO steer
the rndder OF the National Ship in storm--irm
aud devoted, yet cautious and honorable The Com
stiluton Of the United States and the Union of the
Contederacy, he considered the AK OF our politi-
cal safety. With an attachment TO the II ion and
an enforcement OF The principles of the Coustitn-
ton, time and again he has sand, that the Repob-
lie like the strong man armed,-a terror 10 foes
without, and capable oIsnbduing foes within.
Upon all occasions and upon all questions Mr.
Clay has spoken, may say, with the greatest fore
casrapd wisdom. One Of his strong and often ad
vocatcd opinions is, that Government is a irnsi--ihe
officers at the Government, trustees and that the
and the trustees created for he bcncff Of
The people. lie was among the fis too to raise his
voice in behalf of free trade aud seamcns rights"
and he it was who said that " il Great Britain desired
MARK by which she could know her own subjects
let I!er give Them an mdk. The colors that
noated from the mast head OF our ships should be
the credentials Of our seamen = This in defence of
naturalized citizens, whom MrClay de clared during
the last war; entitled the fullest uloteciop
from our Government.
have ouy time to allude to Mr.. Gays many Pc
lcal opinions and so well known areahey that even
an alliSion IS hardly necessary. wash to give the
reader, well rs can, some dis'irct idea of the man
his prominent traits OF character, eloquencc, nan
ner &c, shown in public life. Nh. Cay,-ihe
man.--s res, ected and admired hy all his political
friends and III least ne-tcnths oi.hs political op-
ponents. This is, perhaps, the warmest euog gum
which can be bestowed upon hm.-lor in our cuun-
try and in day it is miracle almost to hear mao
speak well Of his political adversary Butlhc hearts
Of many of Mr.. Cldy's opposers. | know, warm to-
wards him. Many there are who, upon questions Of
great importance to themselves and friends, would
take his advice than that of almost any other
man. His advice is asked in matters the most inter
esting TO his associates, and when asked always civ
en- with the freedom and candor OF devoted and re-
sponsible friend. And from whence arises this you
ask me. answer in the language Of unius because
Mr.. Clay has "that clear unbienislled character
which comprehends not only the integrity that will
not offer, but the spirit that will not receive an
injury, and because, too, | might add, lie is one
Of those who would as readily consult the inter
ests of friend, in acting the friendly part, as he
would his own. lie would never counsel di,honor
friend and upon more occasions ian one he has
given that counsel which in The ewes of the law of
humanity has prevented the commission OF dshon
orable act. In the settlement OF personal quarreIs.
and in preventing personal feuds he has been as
much anu perhaps more OF paccaor, than in the
introduction of measures ofpublic policy which have
Gained the