Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-12-04
Mn. CLAY's SPEECH.

"A great genius" says Waldo Emerson, " is one
who gives back 10 us our own thoughts" There
are thousands who will read Mr.. Clay's speech
and wonder how it can be esteemed so great, since
it is only plain and forcible expression of their
own sentiments They have long thought as Mr..
Clay does they would have expressed themselves
just so if they had possessed the faculty of ready
and cogent expression. They do not always real
ize that herein consists the true greatness of Henry
Clay. His speeches all applications Of common
sense and the most simple obvious truth to the mat
ter under conslderation-to the actual and prospec-
tive condition of the country. His greatness has
nothing Of tragedy strut or mystical fog about it.
on are quite welcome to forget, while you read,
that he is one of the most gifted among orators and
ilustrious among living statesmen who addresses
you, but Won cannot be unconscious, thoughyou
try never so hard to be so, that sincere devoted
patriot is uttering from the depths Of generous
and fervid soul, counsels which he deems mos es-
sential to he safety and well-beng of his beDved
country You may or may not be conscious that
those counses are the fruits of half century OBJ
servaton and experience and of forty years eminent
public service, but you>cannot doubt that they are
spoken from the fitness of patriotic and genaous
heart-NeW York Tribune.
Mr. CLAY pronounces that this is not war of
defence, but one unnecessary, and Of offensive ag-
gresson." He even declares that i" it is Mtxco
that is defending her resides, her castles, and her
affairs, not we." For these expressions he will be
censured and maligned by enemies. He has been
censured for them already by the New York Cou-
rier and Enquirer, which takes the lead in ground
ing upon them the charge that Henry Clay IS not
only opposed to the war, but that he syHpathifes
with the enemy, and takes his stand aalnst his
own country! There is political zeabtry in the
United States which exacts fanatcism $ the proof
OF WISDOM and erocity of spirit as ne test OF pa
triotism. It is not sufficient that The American
should hight for his country, or SEM son 10 hght
and die for it, it is not sufficient commend the
heroism to lament the losses, to dfend and project
the honor of the American army all is undone II,
amid the elaton Of glory or the tars Of sorrow one
single sigh is heaved for the suerings OF the ene-
my; against whom it is unlawful to think any
thought or utter any sentimen' that does not en-
brace and express to extremit the UR Ucfis OIL the
conqueror. To doubt the wisdom. the necessity,
the moral and political advantages of the war, to
:" aid and comfort" the enemy; to regret or to pity
is high treason; to wish end the war without
conquest and subjugation $ hostility to the RePub-
lie and enmity to the amy. The very language
we speak has been charged by this furious spirit.
Ii IS wholly erroneous o speak OF the American
army army of invaders and when the Next
cans fight at the gates of Mexico they are not de-
Tending their firesides, castles, and altars-nd at
all; they crossing the Rio Grande, or the Nue-
ces, or the Sabine carrying fire and desoation no
our own borders! We protest against this insanity
of intolerance, which letters the freedom of thought
and discussion, and tramples common sense and
common humanity under the heels of passion 1t
is only when measured by the fierce rules of such
a wild spirit that Henry Clay, of all men that live,
could be found, supposed wanting in affection and
fidelity TO his country .-North american.
Returning to Mr.. CLAWS speech, we have only
to remark, what all readers of it no doubt have OBJ
served that in strength and proprety of dicton, in
order and method, in unity, in true eloquence Of
sentiment and utterance, it stands conspicuous
among the best efforts of the distinguished orator.
The following passage, forcible and just as vndi-
cation of great party. hos also n meaning Of lis
own, renderedby circumstances peculiarly touching
And, out Of Office who have rushed to the prosecution Of
the war With more ardor and alacrity than the Wings
Whose hearts have bed freely than those of the Wings
Who hare occasion the loss Of sons husbands
brothers, fathers than Wing parents, Wing wives and Wing
brothers, IN this deadly and improbable strife ;"
This was uttered' says the editor of the Phil
delphia North American, present on the occasion,
"by one who mourned himself the loss of som
and such son; and who as he uttered it, brushed
away tear, but spoke on without pause, making
no other or further allusion to his own private
calamity Baltimore american.