The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-01-11


"Ah! who can tell how hard it is TO climb
The steep where Fame's proud temple
shines afar;
Checked by the scott of pride, by Envy's
frown,
And Poverty's unconquerable barr'
But poverty in vain opposed to him her
"bar." In the Chancery office he had oc-
casionally to transact business with some of
the most distinguished men then at the Vir-
ginia bar, and on her bench. Henry Clay
was not made to pass through the world I'M
noticed: place him in crowd of thousands
and though entirely unknown, bis command
ing manner and marked features would soon
attract attention and inspire respect. He was
no more designed by Providence,
"In lifes low Wales remote to time alone,
Then drop into the grave implied and un-
KNOWN"
than Cesar, a Napoleon, or Chatham
Such master spirits do no sit down and pine
nor give way 10 dependency. They are as
conscious of a power TO rise upon the
strength of their own powerful wing, and by
their own unaided energies, as the eagle that
scars aloft in the blue vault of heaven. Ii
was bis good fortune to attract the notice and
win the friendship of Chancellor Wythe and
Governor Brooke, by whose persuasion al the
age of nineteen, he commenced the study
of law, and read chiefly in the office.of the
latter, then Attorney General of the State,
and, under the auspices of the former, for
whom he acted as Private Secretary. The
friendship of these men of eminent worth
and abilities, be retained TO the latest day of
their hyes,-no slight evidence that he pos
sessed spirit and principles congenial with
their own, and that they found in him that
which great aud good men can admire.
Young Clay, for we must no longer call
him ''the orphan boy,n was Iicencedto prac-
tee law by the Judges of the Court of APP
peals in Virginia, in 1897, when he was but
20years ofage. He had now to select place
10 locate himself:
"Tke world was all before him, and where
TO choose
And Providence his guide.''
His only surviving parent had been FIVE years
settled near Lexington, Kentucky, and it is
probable that filial affection had no little In
Efuence in directing his steps 10 the vest
The state was then new, and he doubtless
-ss-.al l;-.ld- Uhere he could put in his plough
and sickle, ana gdtnera harvest. But II he
calculated on finding bar destitute of able
/ lawyers and eloquent advocates he was much
deceived; for, new as the country was, the
bar at Lexington, where he settled, was al
THAT time distinguished for the eminent abil-
4ity of It's members. His aspirations were at
this time, however, extremely moderate, for
be has imselfsais bat be- Remembered how.
comfortable he thought he should be il he
could make 1907 Virginia money, 1888 O0)
a year; and with what delight he Ieceivedthe
first fifteen shilling feei
But Mr. Clay had no sooner appeared in
one or two causes, than business flowed in
upon him so rapidly, that in less than year
/ from his enterance into the State, he had all
Iextensi We and lucrative practice. The peo
| pie of Kentucky, pFoverbially warm hearted
| generous, and susceptible of strong emotion;
love those who possess the same qualities.
Mr. Clay was man after their own hearts
and at once they took him TO their bosoms
and cherished him with as fond regard and
5 with as unallerable an attachment, as if b,
had been ssto the manor born" instead of an
+, adopted son. He came to the state fatherles
penniless, and withthe exception of few b
$ had left behind him, friendess. She PROVED
5 10 him parent, friend, and beneiactor; ha
he not repaid her with more than filial attach
q Ement?
Z His career at the bar was brilliant an
successful. Possessing an intuitiVe know
{ edge of men, and master of the human pas
+ sions; with a voice, at his bidding sweet q
IS the silver toned flute, or loud and powerful
i as the trumpet blast, alternately indulgin
o in wit, irony, pleasantly pathos, and indigna
q ton--no wonder the heart was in his hane
Is pipe he could sound from the lowest not
re 10 the top of its compass, and that his infl
D. ence over luIies was Unprecedented and
s resitibe. But we have little to do with He
~ ry Clay the lawyer and the advocate it
g in higher sphere Of life we must now vie
m him.
have dwelt thus upon the early part
u Mr.. Clay's life, because, though less brillia
'e and less known than his public career, f
G one feel stronger sympathy and love
P. ssthe orphan boys" in the russell garb of 70
OF erty, following the plough, or struggling, u
n aided and alone, at the age of fifteen, for
OF scanty substance as humble clerk, than
NJ ~ do for the Statesmen and Legislator. But
GO is assapublic character we are now to vie
N him. The youth may be uninieresting
individuals, busthe nation in only concern
er' in the MAN. his Capacities, his labors, h
., principles, and his influence upon publ
au measures.
nd As early as l79s Mr.. Clay took an acti
ny and, for so young a man, prominent part
DC the questions which then agitateds the Peep
One Of these was the propriety of prosidiI
by the Constitution then about TO be form