Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-07-12

has been displayed in every variety OF form,-
No man has ever been more attentive and pune
tual in his private engagements than MIR. Clay
lie has suffered sometimes, as others have SUI.
fered, by responsibilities for his friends. lie IL
not rich-his public service has prevented his
becoming wealthy but no man could ever re-
proach him for violation Of any pecunary obll-
CATION or promise. Accordingly his credit has
always stood, as it vet stands, at the highest
point of elevation. And, by the way, we may
remark that millions of dollars passed through
his hands as Speaker of the House OF Represent
tatives and as Secretary of State, and the tongue
| of malice has never dared to charge him with
the misappca,ion of single dollar.
| On one occasion, after settling his account as
Speaker at the Treasury, which he invariably
did upon the termination Of every session, it APP
peared that there stood to his credit in the bank
where he transacted his business a sum of fifty
thousand dollars. lie stated to the Secretary
of the Treasury that there must be some mis-
take, but he was confidently assured that there
was none. lie said that he was equally conf
dent that he had no such amount of money, and
requested farther and more careful exalnina-
ton, upon which the fact was discovered that
the Treasury had neglected to charge him with
a warrant Of fifty thousand dollars. How almi.
raby does this honorable and upright course
contrast with the pecuaton, frauds and delin.
quency which have characterized the conduct Of
50 many public servants during the last fifteen
years Perhaps no man ever lived who has
I been so often appointed an executor Of deceas
ed persons as Mr. Clay has been, and that by
: persons in various conditions Of life; and sucf
has been the confidence reposed in his judg
/ ment, honor, probty. and capacity for business
, that the testators who appointed him almost al
: ways dispensed with the surety which, withou
such dispcnsalIon, the law evac,s.
,, lie has been charged with being addicted Il
v gambling, and foul aud opprobrlous epithets hav,
# been applied to him Mr.. Clay, at no period o
5 his life, ever so far forgot the respect due t.
himself as TO associate with p OCCASIONAL gam
II blcrs, or attended their public tables. For up
y ward of thirty years he has played at no gam
At of hazard whatever. When fa,igued and op
o pressed by care and business, if he has sough
! any recreation, it has been at chess, or whis
q which, of late years, he more rarely than eve
}. INDUCES in. lie has resided upwards Of thirty
,f five years at Ashland, and we have it from tn
IS most undoubted sources that a game of card
:, was never played, and pack of cards was neve
If in his house, with his knowledge.
J.. lie has the highest respect and greatest de
Fl ference for religion and It's ministers and "
81 believe that there is not a clergyman who know
a him that does not cherish toward him cordIi
/, esteem and regard. On the memorable occs
N sion last fall Of the great discussion between tn
n Rev. Messrs. Campbell and Rice, Mr.. Clay,
= common consent, was selected to preside at III
rs public meeting lie has contributed with
" much beralIty as he could to the building, "
Of believe, of every church, or house of divine wo
o, ship, that has been erected during his abode
IL or near Lexington, of which there have bee
= many. lie has always held pew in the Epi
I'd copal Church in this city, Of which his lady is
h, communicate, and he generally attends diviI
ii, service on the Sabbath, when at home.
e. man in the community displays more public spi
- it, or is more ready to second and succor all o
d. lecs of public Improvement and enterprise.
he farmer,he is conspicuous in all the depaitmcn
he of lis vocation, but especially in the improveme
~ of the breeds Of all domestic animals. Nor
,u ~, there any one whose heart is more affected
h. cases OF alil cion or misfortune, or whose pur
of is more open to relieve the distressed.
Is, Such is the individual upon whose head bite
ne malignant and vlndlctive enemes are constant
eu pouring uut torrents Of vile abuse and caumn
,n But, to Use his own emphatic language, "tru
70. = omnipoent, and public justice is certain"
OF The universal shouts of his couu'rvmen ha
'ry already proclaimed, in tones Of thunder, his
%, %, noccnce and his vindication; and if it sh
puase uOu to rpo,e i.is valuable life, Il gl,t ia
triumph awaits him in November next, as he
!, orabe to their hearts as it is Justly merted
' ong, faithful and signal services TO his count