Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-05-10
THE N. YORK LEGISLATURE
TO THE HON. HENRY CLAY.

StdlS vi NeW IOrk, nave nedrQ with
deep concern that you have resolved
TO retire on this day from the Councils
Of the Nation.
From the year 1906, when you first
entered into the Senate of the United
States, until this time, more than half
the period allotted to human life, you
have, with one or two short intervals,
been constantly engaged in the service
OF your country.
During that long period of our event
full history no important measure which
has contributed TO the prosperity or to
the honor Of the nation, is recolIected,
which ifnot originated by you, has not
at least received your cordial and elo-
quent support.
The course fyour policy has in all
things been eminently American. In
Peace and War, as Senator, an Emf
bassador, the head OF the Department
Of State you have secured for your
country abroad, the respect Of her sis
ter nations, while at home you have
protected our seamen and our ships,
and extended our commerce, fostered
our home industry and sustaine d
domestic manufactures, and compile
ted our emancipation from colonial de-
pendence.
True to your principles, true to
your friends, and above all, true to your
country, it has been your rare felicity
10 be a cherished leader among your
political friends, and the foremost
champion of their principles, and at
the same time to enjoy the respect
and possess the generous confidence of
all your fellow-citizens ofevery politi-
cal denomination.
is not within the compass Of our
design, to dwell upon the numerous
monuments of your wisdom and your
patriotism-they live in the History of
the Republic. The evidences, too,
ofyour expanded philanthropy and de-
volion to human liberty, are part of
the records of grateful nations. But
there is one great measure which more
than any other, has occupied your care,
and to which we may be permitted
particularly TO allude. as demanding
in an especial manner the thanks of
your fellow offensive mean THE
PROTECTION OF HOME IN
DUSTl2Y.
This vital policy was adopted by
you at the commencement of your po-
litical life in the legislative halls of
Kentucky. 1t was the subject of your
first effort, and constituted your first II :
umphon entering the Senate ofthe Uni
ted States in 1909; you re-established it
after the return of peace in 1876. and
was its successful defender in the great
debates of 1920. 1924 and 1882.
At no period of your life have you
wavered or faltered in the support OF
this policy, and your solemn farewell
counsels have now sanctioned, with the
weight of thirty FIVE years experience.
the great measure which your ardent
patriotism embraced at the commence
ment of your career. If the protec-
ton given has not been always ade-
quate to the object, it is because it
has not been such as you proposed
and advocated.
We owe it 10 you, sir, to bear our
testimony that while on the one hand
the deficiency in the existing laws on
the subject are attributable to no fault
or remlssness on your part, on the 9th
er, the imperfect degree of protection
we have received, and which is in a
great measure owing to your early,
continued and constant efforts, has
added many millions to the wealth, and
many hundred thousands to the popu-
lation Of our country-has stripped
war of its greatest dangers and sorest
calamil;es, by rendering US indepen-
dent of foreign supplies, either Of food
or ralment, or the weapons of our de-
fence, and has given new charms to
peace by bringing the comforts and
conveniences of life within the enjoy
ment of all.
1t is for these great national servi,
ces that we desire to tender you our
thanks. We speak in our own names,
but we believe We speak the sentiments
OF those whom in other things we
have the honor to represent, when w e
acknowledge the vast debt Of gratitude
which we owe you; when we declare
oursolemn conviction that through your
whole politicallife, you have been gov
erned by the loftiest patriotism and the
most unsullied integrity. And when,
finally, we assure you that we follow
you in your retirement with our pray
erS to Him who has hitherto been the
guardian of our Republic, that health
and strength may be prolonged to you
Tor many years to witness the success
OF the great measures you have labored
TO establish, and to enjoy the proud
consciousness ofhaving been the ben
elactor ofyour beloved country.
l. BRADIsH, ROBERT G. NIcAoLAs,
lsigned Dy As other memb. ofthe Leg. I
ALBANY, March 81. 1912.