Washington telegraph., 1847-02-17
HENRY CLAY.

"I'o this distinguished man the eyes Of hi'
eounirymen are turned. whether his poaton be
the foremost in the public councils, or withdrawn
from the thoFoughiure Of politics, as now, III she
retirement Of private IL
At recent eenyiylal celebration in Washington
enc of the speakers, for u series of yeafs The po'
lileal opponen, of Mt Clay, honafed himself and
the occasion by respectful allnsens 10 the .l1n
OF his county Tn Richmond Republican teiers
in an appropriate manner 10 this occurrence, and
adds
Henry Clay has often been represented as a
man Of lnoldinale ambition, but, though he %
entirely disconnected from political aiails, we Will
say ui him now, what we haYe ever thought, that
his ambition is rather for his country than himself
Ii II were otherwise, he could scarcely pfeaene
that equanimity aud cheeffuness, which, in defeat
OF Victory, in retirement OF IN public aiafa, have
ever distinguished his character Calamity and
gracefully does he bear himself In every relation
Of life. whether leading on the whig squadtons to
the charge, or submit ing TO the superior power ol
Ito adversary. A man with sueh giant powers
musi feel that no Office. however elevated, could
add "a ouhil 10 the stature oi thai fame which
has already cast ils colossal shadows ever tho
world
Ambition, il prompted by proper motive aud
directed 10 noble object, S not only powerful
agent Of good, but one Of the hshsat perirelions
Of the human mind and truly may II be said
that Henry clays ambition IS rather for Biz cum
Try than himself When upon the arrna Of public
action. bs voice was heard sounding the way Of
safs,y through the fierce aud Threatening struggle
Of conflicting Interests and epIalons, he may have
been called aRibiiious. and the diminaliye and
ffeiful spirit Of envy may have attempted, by the
rrossest pefyersien, 10 render that gh, obnoxious
which |, could neither rival nor eclipse. As he
stood upon The Missouri question, with the fire
Of immortal cloquenee upon his tongue aud the
olive branch Of peace beseeehingiy extended IN
his hand, lie mny have been ambitious. But was
mt this ambition halloSed by the moiir. and the
otjee9 Wehc the interests Of Henry Clay as an
individual eve, suffered to fiso bfiwoea him aud
his duty 10 bis oouniyi
And how |. II now in private liri Is he still
ambiliousi Yes, when he yields ehsefially TO the
peoples will, aud quietly enjays aud fslshfs the
uaoblfasiye pleasures Of retirement, he certainly
mus, be ambiiigas Assufedly he must U dc.
sisug tho ways aud means 70 lIbefate the country
from the ihraidom Of eeoioeoisin. AssafrdlY the
ability whoss object, ia its neonday strength. has
been 50 maleloasly perverted vii not be pre-.
sumed 10 rePose quietly aud with ihdiieftnee
upon iis laarels. In whaieyer situation he may
be placed, whether battling III the halls Of eon-
Frrss OF seated under chs own vine and fg ifee"
at Ashland, the locos Will still view him with
peculiar apPfehensions, dcnoance him ass danger.
Gus politician, and proclaim him exceedingly am
bilious. lie is ambitious. but not In the sense
which the loeos aPPly 10 him. They know this,
and are only apprehcnsiye lest instead Of the Dis
,raee which usually fepays that dangerous am.
,iiion which they attribute to him. be should reap
he rewards of an ambition whose only motive
las been Oya Of country and whose only obiec.
biz eountry's good.