Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-07-23
From the Pittsburgh Gazette.
sketches of the Public Wen Of the u. :.
HENRY CLAY.
BY ERAsTUs BgoOEs.-No. ".

HENkl OLA1.
Among all our counlymen, there are but few
who have so many true admirers as Henry Clay.
What living statesman is there in the Union
whose name reyiyes so many hOpes-awakens
so many sympathies-Calls forth so many tokens
Of respect! Who, at the age of three score and
ten, can draw so many around him To acknowl-
edge his eloqucnce, approve his judgment and
applaud his genius! Whose words linger so
long in the memory Of those who have heard
them, or whose opinions have left deeper impress
sons upon the hearts Of those whose ears have
been opened TO receive them! | have seen the
Senate Chamber crowded with its sea Of heads
when Henry Clay has been speaking, and when
upon almost every counlenance; was depicted
the smile which could not be withheld even from
his enemies-so happy was he in every effort
to inluse good temper among these-whle from
The throals Of all Others has bursled forth the
broad and merry laugh which could not be stfed.
The scene may have changed as in a moment Of
time, and in sadder contrast another passion
has been depicted at which all, excepting the
Sloics-and not all Of these could be excepted
have been, as il were, like Nibbe all tears.
"The applause of listening Scnates TO COM
mand' has been no fiction with Mr.. Clay, for no
man has received more Of that, and no man in
the United States could, at this moment bring so
many TO hear him, whether at the bar, in the
Senate, or in the forum. Since the days Of Pat
rick Henry and james Oils, in my judgment, we
have had no such ora,or.
In the minds Of many there is the same con-
rast between Henry Clay and Daniel Webster,
now, that there was between James Ots and
Patrick Henry prior to, and during, the reyolu-
ton. Henry more resembled Clay, and Olis
more resembled Webster. Os was from Mas
sachusetts, and Henry from Virginia, as Clay is
now from Virginia; that is Virginia born and
cducated-whIe Webster has spent his last and
best days in Massachusetts, though born in New
| Hampshire. Hereafter | may take occasion to
draw a comparison between our two modern ora
tors. Enough to say for the present of the great
prototype of Henry Clay, that he was one Of the
most gifted men of his time. His words came
! like stream Of fire bursting forth from volca-
nc. Fire flashed from his eyes whenever he
spake, and an inspiring power seemed to give
direction to the workings Of his restless mind
His thoughts gushad forth with the same irresis-
lble force as his language; but he thought faster
than tongue could give form to his language. He
was brave and honest but not always what the
world calls prudent, and who indeed is he, "Who
can hold the fire in his hand by thinking upon
the frosty Caucasus" There was a time, how
ever, when he exhibited as much caution as he
roism and as much aptitude and wisdom as ever
fell to the lot Of one man. 1t was after the Par
Lament Of Great Britain had enacted the odious
Stamp Act. 1t was then, when that measure was
before the people Of Virginia,
"FilId with fury wrapped inspired"
standing before lreemcn and speaking from an
indignant heart, he proclaimed "n thoughts that
breathe and words that burn," Caesar had his
Brutus, Charles his Cromwell, and George lII''
There cry Of treason 'trCasOn,' rang like q
trumpet through the crowd,) while Henry con.
tnued with an unchanged front and an undin
med eyo-"nsay profit By their eramPie.'
Henry Clay was born on the 12th of April
l777. The ScrenS, we know, from olden time
ill now have been the magic numbers. 1t wa:
mot long before he gave promise Of the greatness
The has since exhibited. Honest poverty wa,
his inheritance, and with him, as with many 9TH
crs, it proved richer one than gold and titles
Literally, in the sweat of the face he struggled
on through life, leaving school early, and in nc
way blessed with the good schools which in oul
Young. Before commencing the study of his
profession he was a clerk in store in Richmond
where in his moments of leisure he commenced
laying up those treasures Of learning which
since that Time, have contributed so much to dis.
tngush him among the great men OF the coun'
Iuy. Previous to this he was "the Mill Boy oI
the SIushes,' and all that has been said Of his
carrying the corn to mill upon his Roslnante is
no fiction. As a law student he was eminenuy
successful, and when he presented himself a
candidate for approval at the Bar, his ability won
for him the approval of such a man as Chief JUS
tice Marshall. More than this. lie had the
warm friendship of thiscmnont jurist, and it con-
tnucd unabated till the day Of his death.
Mr.. Clay, in early life, went to Kentucky, and
at once was received with the kindness and con.
fdcnce so peculiar to this generous people. His
whole heart went with him, and if MI. Clay was
grateful for the favors that were showered SC
continually upon him, Kentucky also honored
herself in honoringso worthy son. In her Le'
gisaturc, in her Conventions, in both Houses o
Congress, and as the presiding officer of the
House of Representatives, though always and al.
together United States man. he never ceased
to love and remember the State of Kentucky
nor have the Kentuckians ever ceased to love
and remember him. shall never forget the
noble tribute Mr.. Clay paid to his adopted State
when he took leave of the Senate about three
years since. His heart was full, and words
could hardly find uucrance. There was not q
dry eye in the Senate Chamber, Galleries, privi-
legged seats, Senators seats, door ways, reporters
desks, every nook and corner were crowded, and
for hours before Mr.. Clay commenced his fare
well speech there were few, even among his op
ponents, who did not regret to hear the wore
farewell" pronounced from his lips.
This feeling gwas as just and manly as it was gen
eral, form the whoerange of his opponents there
is not one who has stood in opposition to Mr.
Clay who will not pronounce him, in all things
Il a.. ho ,,nnnl,, nnh frnnlE