Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-09-09
VERMONT PHOENIX.
BrattleborO, Thursday, Sept. 0, lS47,
Henry Clay.

the interesting ceremonies by which MIR Clay
has made public profession of his belief in re.
vcalcd religion, and become member of q
Christian Church, and we publish to-day no
tire of the respect paid to him on his recent tour
of health at the North.
1t is a singular and instructive spectacle to see
a man, after struggling through long life to at
tain the highest summit of earthly ambition; af-
ter carving for himself name that has filed the
world with its renown, and yielding to none in
the splendor Of his genius, and its greatness and
universality,--it is a singular and instructive
spectacle to see such man, SO honorcd and dis
tinguished, so proud and exalted, humble him
self at last, to become a follower of the meek
and lowly Jesus, and acknowledge that the high
est object of mans worldly ambition is but an
empty bubble.
Mr. Clay has reached nearly the ordinary allot-
ted limit of human life. Worn out in the service
of his country and bowed down under load Of
sorrow for lavorite SON whose blood was also
shed in that countrys service, it is not probable
he will suffer himself again to be drawn from the
quiet shades Of Ashland, into the arena of poll
ties. Wemay speak of him now, therefore, with
out suspicion of improper motives, and we are
tempted to give utterance 10 some of the feel
ings and thoughts, crowding upon us at the mem
ton of his name.
His whole history, from childhood TO the last
act of his public life, is happy illustration of
the working Of our free institutions, and a noble
example for the ambition of American youth TO
initiate There is no walled aristocracy, nor
hereditary nobility here, to stiae genius and tai
ent, and to block up the path to greatness and
exalted station. 1t is open alike to the rich and
the poor. Mr. Clay was an orphan, and cmigra-
ted from Virginia to the State of Kentucky In
his affecting farewell to the Senate in 1913, he
says; q" went as an orphan, who had not yet
attained the age of majonty-who had never re-
cognizcd a fathers smile, or felt his carcsse,-
poor, pennies, without the favor of the great
with an imperfect and inadequate education linn
tied to the ordinary business and common pur-
suits Of life" Yet under all these disadvantages
what noble career has he run Emerging from
a cottage, and unaided save by his own untiring
energy and native talent he has achieved for
himself noble name. that shall live when all the
titled nobility of Europe shall have sunk into
oblivion. His history is that of his country. and
will constitute one of its brightest pages 1t en-
braces more than one period when our happy
Union seemed about to be broken into fra,,-
mens, but from which his cloquencc and wise
counsels saved us. We shall advert to one only.
which is doubtless within the recollection of ma
ny Of our readers
The last war with Great Britain encountered
powerful and vigorous opposition, and the state
OF parties in Congress was nearly balanced The |
Pro'ocation to the war was chiefly the impress
ment Of our seamon by Great Britain She
claimed the right to search our merchant ves-
sells, and, unless they had II written protection |
from cur Government, to forcibly drag away
such as she claimed to be her own subiects-and
her prisons were filed with our sailors. who re-
fused to enlist in her service. The appeals Of
these poor scamen, and the naughty insolence of
Great Britain, at length reused the United States
to protect its citizens, and war enmed
Disaster and defeat attended the commence
ment of the contest; the ignoninious surrender
OF Hull, and other msiortunes, had cast gloom
over the country, and emboldened the opponents,
while it disheartencd the friends of the war.
Under these circumstances, Congress assem-
bled, and the peace party, confident in their
strength, unicd to stop the supplies for the amy
which woudef course compel its disbandnent.
In the House, the motion for supplies was fierce
y opposed, and the war denounced in unneas
ured terms SO strong and vigorous was the
opposition, which comprised much of the talent
and eoquence Of Congress, that many began
to despond, and tremblc for the result.
In this state Of feeling Mr. Clay, then mem
Der OF the House, rose to support the motion
and instantly the clouds of dependency melted
away, and as he proceeded to detail the wrongs
infileted upon us, and to depict the suflerines of
our imprisoned citizens, he touched chord which
silenced and drew tears, even, from the cold |
hearted opponents of the war,
We do not intend to follow him through this |
speech, but only introduce to our renders beau
tifh extract from it, After sustaining the course
of the Government by powerful argument, he
breaks out into the following impassioned de-
fence and appeal in behalf of the poor sailor:
We are told by gentlemen in the opposition that
Government has not done all that was incumbent |
upon it TO do to avoid Just Of complaint on the
part OF Great ritain-thai in particular the certi-
fcaes Of protection, authorized by the act Of 1896
are frauduently used. Sir Government has done
too much in granting these paper projections. i can
never think OF them without being shocked Tuey |
resemble the passes which the master grants to his
negro slave Let the bearer Mungo, pass and re-
pass without moesaion' What do they imply |
That Great Britain has right TO seize all who are |
not provided with them. From their very nature |
they must be liable TO abuse ON both sides II Great
Britain desires a marx by which she can know her /
own subjects let her give them an ear-nark The
cotors utR float from he ndshead should be the Gre
denuals Of our seainen. There is no safety to us,
and the gentlemen have shown It, but in The rule
that all who sail under the flag lnot being enemiesl
are protected by the flag Ii is impossible that this
country should ever abandon the gallant tars who
have won for ms such splendid trophies. Ietme sup
pose that the Genus OF Columbia should visit ono of
them In his oppcssors prison. and attempt to recon
Gle HIM TO his tororn and wretched condition She
would say to HIM in the language Of gentlemen on
The other side Great Britain intends you no harm
she did not mean to impress sou, but one OF herown
subleeis having ilken you by mistake will reinon-
sIate with her and Try TO prevail upon her by peace
ial means TO release you, but cannot my son, fgla
Jor yoA II he did not consider this mere mockery