Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-08-30
MOnd0y 4ug. 27.

their fame are the honored and treasured prop
erty of the nation. A;nong these men Henry
Clay stands first. There is no one who oceu-
pies so proud and enyiable position in this
nation and among the eminent statesmen OF
the earth, as Mr.. Clay. OF his deels We do
not speak although they arc Of The present,
they will soon belong to the past, and 1t Will
remain for posterity TO do him that full and
impartial Justice which is never rendered to
the living, no matter what may be their claims
There is time when Envy and Jealousy
cease to exert en- influence, and merit is ap-
precated as il deserves
Mr.. Clays ma,chess mind, his expansive
and quick intellect, his wonderful grasp oil
thought, his devotion to his country's inter-
es,.. his self-sacrifcing spirit,-alI, all have
endcarcd him to the people, and enshrined him
forever in their hearts There is no man who
has so strong hold upon the deepest affections
OF all classes, because there is no man who
las labored with such untirng zeal for their
welfare. Had MIR. Clay pursued the course
which many eminent politicians have, and
worked for himself instead Of for others,
thrown a partial veil over his character, and
Only permitted enough Of il to be seen and
known by all to have answered his own pur-
pcsc,-he would long ago have been Presi-
dent Of the United States. But the honesty
Of his motives would ALLOW him to take no
such curse throughout his public life, he
has pursued one straight path, firmly, con-
,istrnly and boldly lie hls turned not to the
right or the left. When he plainly saw the
advancing storm, he fixed himself even NOR,
firmly, if possible, anG stood erect amid its
f.arcu howlings AMI It's destructive operations.
The nation turned 10 him, the wise and ex-
pcrienced Counsellors Of the Senate, trem'
bling and almost awe-s,ruck, gszed anxiousIy
a, his eagle eve, and listened revcren,y to the
.loouencc of his lips the beautiful i'm.
sgery Of pae,ic mind, but ,ho grandeur, the
sublimlty of truth, the power Ut logic and the
wisdom Of p losophy. When his eye flashed
and his arm was raised, he breathed convc-
ZION home to stubborn hearts, and the dark
cold spirit of the South willingly, but .o
m1ny, imperc'psisly grasprd at his plan o
salvation, and the Roman frmness, as it las
been called. of the capitol relaxed into a sat
isactory paciication, willie the heart OF the
nation resumed the regularity of lis accustom
cd pulsa,ion. And is this the only instance,
in what may be called recent history, of the
incorporate greatness Of Henry Clay No.
There are others equally vivid others equal
ly marked and enduring They form mater
ial portions of The conspicuous eras and prom
iuent events in the history of the United
States, during the nineteenth century.
The Presidency could not honor Ii n, or
add single laurel to the chaplet Of his glory
As far as our ow n personal feelings are con
cerned, we should vastly prefer defeat unde
The banner and in the lead Of Henry Clay
than success with any other man. lie is the
embo yment Of Wing principles all over, =
the father of Whig policy, and the anshor
the only true American System thai has eve'
OCl DCti dhe " ~ H"o w"
ted, it was because the hearts Of a portion ol
The people were corrupt an Their eyes were
blinded by variety Of causes so that they
could not comprehend the truth and apprecl-
ate exalted virtue.
The mass Of tho people, and particularly
his political friends, do not regard Mr.. Clay
with The S; me fs lings as they do other great
men: there ls something in their hearts, par
u,u,arly now when the excitement of political
warfare is over, which approximates nearer to
reverence, AID they even gaze at his com
mand ng person, as il he was not eniIely
of earth. His political opponents, these who
have invariably worked against him, in the
conflicts Of party strife, respect and admire the
man. and voluntarily acknowledge his great
ness. Such is brief outline Of the character
Of Henry Clay. He is now 70 years of age
He has passed through the wild storms, The
terrible struggles and the fierce conflicts of a
lon life, and has reached its rapidly declin-
ing vale But ihe lusire Of his eye is undlmm-
ed, the music Of his voice is unbroken, the
power oi his in,ellec. is undimnshed, and the
purity OF his heart is uncoataninated' Ills
btight;s, year. are to be his last, and his
tomb will be in the hearts of the American
people their tears viii hallow his memory
in perennial freshness, and their gratitude VIII
make his deeds immortal,
We gather arousd him like children listen
ing to parental advice F; we cling to the gar
men,s Of the Patriarc.a al Seer, as ifthcre was
virtue in them. We shake his venerable
hand, and feel proud Of the act, We listen
20 his silvery voice, and rejoice that such a
privilege has been granted US.
Ia the course Of nature, this mus, soon all
be over the sun tha, has so long ilumined
the nation must sink forevcr,-but may God
grant lha3*h day is yet comparatively Ear Of.
There willA& mourning in tie land, there will
be weeping among the people, when the pen