Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1844-05-23

entered the list of manly enterprise, and
by the energy of his genius, and the force
Of his perseverIng effarls rose to the very
summit Of official distinction He enjoyed
t',eearly confidence Of his fellow CITIZENS,
in the Senate aud House Of Representa-.
tives Of the United S.a,es-as a Minister
abroad on most difficult and eveDilul
embassy-and as Secretary of State he
has received urequivocal testimonials,
that 10 public estimation, he was fitted to
ill any civil station, in the Yif Of free
and enIighten people. But more than
ihis-as Speaker of the House of Repre-
seniatives, il has often been said of Mr..
Clay, he welded more influence than
any man than ever occupied that chair.
WHAT was it, sir, that gave him such in
fuence }? II could not be mere sound
for let it;be remembered, that no politica
body OF men in any country. possess more
of talent, intelligence and independence,
than the House of Representatives. No
sir. said Mr.. Frelinghuysen, it was the
weight of his character, the splendor of
his genius, and his deep acquaintance with
the principles of our government. HIS
whole life has been political schooling
into its doctrines. His mind is imbued
with the very spirit of republican liberty.
Until the las! struggle for The elevation
Of General Jackson. no man filled larger
space than Henry Clay. Every Amer
lean honored his uprlghtness. As o
Speaker of the House-as a most able
deba,er in Congress--as one of the repre-
sentatives of his country, in the critical
negotiations with Great Britain, we can
all remember how he was admired and
esteemed. Sir, said Mr.. F. what has
been his offence? One thing, Mr.. Chair
man, he could not proclaim General Jack
son to be thai -.-h:~L, 81. bic -----:-~~a
he knew him not to be eminently qualified
for the discharge of the high and difficult
duties of President Of these United States.
He dared to disturb and deny the preten-
ions of General Jackson, and for this he
has been pursued and hunted, as if he
had been traitorous viper, and the press.
es Of the opposition have been crowded
| with the most cruel and bitter impu-
tations. Sir, these wrongs Of Mr.. Clay
form the strong reason Of your counten-
ance. Let US raise a shield around this
favored son of the country, TO repel the
daits Of his prosecutors.
Moreover, sir. said Mr.. F. the public
conduct of Clay entities him to our conf
dence. Recur for moment to few of
his measures, and you will find in them
all The same characteristic marks Of a
great mind looking with enlarged and
liberal views, at their relations and result.
Trace his course in the question of South
American Independence--when aer pat
riots struggling for that precious boon with
our fathers, by the blessing Of Heaven,
had gained for us--where stood Mr.. Clay
then Sir, he well knew how gratefully
it would cheer the hearts Of our South>
ern friends to learn rha, there was pulse
| in American bosoms that beat high in
sympathy for their cause-and threw the
whole weight of his character, and power
OF his talents, into their IDterests--and
who can soon forget the responding plau.
dts that echoed from the mountains aud
plains Of the South, in gratitude to this
friend of freedom Sir, he loved liberty
for its orn sake-with the philanthropy
of a great and generous mind, he hailed
its aspirations, no matter where, or by
whom, they were breathed forth.
Again-when the scheme Of establish
ing colony for the liberated children of
oppressed Africa, on the shore of that be-
nighted continent. was commended by
The late and deep lamented DR.. Robert
Finley to a few friends at the City Of
" ashington-you know, sir, how deeply
it was denounced, as a visionary and
Utoplan enterprise. II was secuted as
brain sick chimera by the great mass of
the American community. Not so by
Mr.. Clay. His penetrating ey perceived.
in this derided charity, bearings Of large
and hopeful charity. He saw what mo
nientuous connexions it would hold with
The deeply interesting subject Of slavery
here; and what fullness Of light it prom
Used 10 shed on the millions Of degraded