Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-09-24
FROM THE BALTIMORE CLIPPER.
DIGNIFIED RETIREMENT.


II is usual and natural for men who have
participated largely in public affairs. 10 seek
retirement and ease inthe decline of life. What
was pleasing excitement to them in their
Younger days, becomes hurthensome TO them
as they advance to years, and they joyiully
retreat from the cares and anxieties OF public
life, to the gratifying tranquility of country
scenes, where through "the loop-hole of re-
treat" they may look out upon the busy world,
without being annoyed or harassed BY passing
events. We have often been amazed 10 see
men Of independent fortune and Of advanced
age, still seeking public station, or deyoting all
their energies to the accumulation OF more
wealth when their time could be much more
agreeabiy spentamidstthed delights ofnlal see
merry But even such men look forward 10 the
period of.retrement as one Of ease and happl
ness though they too often postpone the fulfil
ment of their design TO an indefinite period.
With one exception, every man who has been
President OF the United states, has, after the
termination OF his services, sought the retire
ment OF country life, and declined TO seek or
accept other pubic statlon--and many OF the
distinguished statesmen Of the country have
initiated the example. Among these HENRY
CLAY stands conspicuous. As statesman
and crater he has held the highest rank--nor
has any man enjoyed more Of the confidence
of friends, or received harsher treatment from
opponents than he has. He has partaken or
all that could render public life agreeable, and
all that could make 1t disgusting. With the
purest patriotism--the most disnterested self
Observation-Disclosures OF speech aud ieaslessness
of action-he has passed through scenes of
the utmost trial and MISUNDERSTANDING the
respect and admiration of mankind, however
he may have been eenSured from party policy.
He is now in retirement al Ashland, in the full
possession of his mental and physical faculties;
and, we venture to assert, in the enjoyment Of
more true happiness than ever fell TO his lot
whilst battling in public life for the interests Of
his country. We do not know that any in-
ducement would be strong enough TO with
draw him from his iavorite reIeat--tor his
own comfort we should hope not--though the
employment OF his gigantic intellect might be
OF great service 10 the nation.
We have been led to these remarks by a
notice of Ashland, and its proprietor, Mr..
CLAY, by correspondent of the National In
telgencer, who recently visited HIM athome.-
We copy it, with the expression OF our hope,
that Mr.. CLAY may long live IN the enjoyment
of all his faculties and that his future life may
be serene and happy 1t is as follows:
..ln passing up the bold Iurbid Mississippi
as far as ST. LOUIS, was pleased TO hear that
the crops were generally large and promising.
St. Louis is rising and prosperous city, and
if the "Queen of the West" does not play ner
cards skillfuly the former may out stride her.
II is useless 10 speak of Louisville and Cincin-
natl. for we all know they are thriving, pros
porous, beautiful cities. In passing from Lou
isvilIe to Lexington you would be delighted 10
L. L toll fhfa nj
woodland pastures, the striking evidence OF
industrial pursuits, and the quiet air OF com
for, and happiness.
"Kenucky presents generous soil and
generous people | had often heard Of the Ell
egant hospitality Of Lexington, and Of her
beautiful enyirons, but you can form no idea
of them ill you enjoy them. Lexington Is, |
imagine, the most prosperous and wealthy m
land town in the United States, and will con-
tnue TO march onward, albeit no river sweeps
by its borders. Delicacy forbids my mention
ing the names of gentlemen whose residences
visited, and Of whose hospitality partook (;
but looking upon HENRY CLAY as national
property, | consider that do not violate pro
prietv in describing him as saw him al home,
and his own laurelled Ashland. But | must
begin with Ashland, a place celebrated because
il is the abode OF one who, 'iake hun all, Is
the greatest and most admired statesman OF the
land.
ashland is about two miles from Lexing
ton. and its old-taShoned mansion, alter catch
ing view OF it at some distance, IS suddenly
hid among the lofty trees that almost surround
it, When our party reached the gate, which
stood wide open, no house could be seen; we
entered it, and, winding through the copse,
ASHLAND in all It's beauty flashed upon us.
We had scarcely entered his hall when Mr.
CLAY come 10 greet us with his bland smile
and cordial shake of the hand, which made
me, at least, feel as If Were at home. The
grounds of Ashland are in high state OF cul-
tvation, and it would do farmer good 10 look
upon them. He boosted not OF II, but some
of his neighbors told me that Mr. CLAY stands
"A No. | :" Gas we merchants say,) especially
in cultiyating and putting up hemp and, irom
all witnessed, dare say he is as well quail
fed TO impart useful information 10 the cult
vators of the soil. as he Is 10 enlghten us on
the great political questions OF the age. There
he sat at Ashland in his PLAIN farmers dress,
discoursing with his accustomed iTankness on
many subjects. and sometimes giving uuerance
TO sentiments that other men should write books
upon but not an unkind expression towards
any individual, whether private or pubic, es-
CdDeu his Ups. luHC has lAiu buN q TIA
ring hand upon this great American statesman.
never saw him look better or happleri his
steps are elastic, his faculties appear fresh and
vigorous, and the chances are that he Will live
TO witness the election of several Presidents"
The MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH is daily com
ing into more general use, as experience de-
monsuates its advantages. 1t unles, as 1t
were in one, the cities Of New York, Balu-
more and Philadelphia; and business is tran
sacted through it with the same ease ana as
much regularity, as though the houses IN New
York and Baltimore purchasing from ours,
were all located in the same square. 10 Illus
trate, we cite an instance that occurred ON
Thursday: A leading house on the wharf re
ceived from house in Baltimore the lnqul-
what will you sell us 50 bbls, OF
Spirits Turpentine7" The answer was re-
turned 's37c. cash" The terms Were accept
ed--the payment made--and in less than two
hours from the time OF transmitting the hfst
word, the 50 bbls. were going on board the
vessel for BALTIMORE elmsgirGsial.
The Win of LOUIS BoNAPARTE, ex-kmg OF
Holland, who died lately at Florence, IS an
interesting document It implies that he was