The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-07-14
The Illness Of Henry Clay.

sick, yesterday, at the intelligence convey.
ed by the telegraph, that Henry Clay has
been essailed by the pestilence. It has al.
ready selected several shining marks but
the prayers of a grateful people seemed to
prove Gordon against its approaches &c
the fame that enshrines the soul whose fires
are vcnerat.d by every true freeman, az
were the flames Of Vesta reverenced by the
Romans. The hearts, the hopes linked
with his name, the expectations of the bet
ter from the presence, in the Senate Of the
Titanic power that has SO often swayed
for good, so often checked the evil-are
they all to be dashed to the earth, and is
the brightest star-save one-that ever lit
the path Of the Republic to be torn from
our sky forever!
The danger which threatens the life Of
Henry Clay thrills the hearts of the gen.
erous of all PARTIES
"For lie is Freedoms now, and Fame's
One of the few-the immortal names,
That were not born 10 de-"
Those who have opposed him look back,
with fearful eyes, upon the track Of his
early glory, when he maintained the hon
or Of his country, in her councils, with a
voice of wise eloquence whose echoes still,
at this late day, in their remotest vibrations,
thrill like trumpet call. But the noble
traits of character all noble were those
which, time and again, prompted the sac
rifce of self to the interests of his country.
Others have been honest-others have been
patriotic; but where, in the page of our
history can we find an example where
patriotism was so unselfsh and burning a
passion where the whole great soul Of the
man
"Ne'er knows ,e,sring ebb, bnt due on flows,
Like the Propontic to the Ilellespont."
Thus was the heart Of Harry Clay pour
ed out upon his country. Others love their
native land-his love was, and is-if that
great spirit be still among us-a passion,
and a joy. All his chivalry, all his devo-
ton to honor, all his hopes, his ambition,
and his efforts, knew no cynosure but his
country. 1t was with him an enthusiasm,
burning as the zeal of the devotee, lofty as
Atlas, and pure as fire upon the altar.
As political writer, those who have
studied his dispatches, when Secretary of
State, will admit, that, had not other and
brighter qualities dimmed the reputation
of those productions, they alone should
have secured an undying name. As an
orator, we will only say, what we have
not seen hitherto remarked, that no public
speaker, of any age or country, OF whom
we have record, has held in thrall the
ears and hearts of his countrymen, for so
long a series of years, and upon SO wide a
variety oftopics. Asa statesman, he has
never been wrong. The voice of the mo-
ment has been often against him-the ex-
perience of time never. His daring has
arisen from the confidence of truth and
virtue. He never has played the paltry
part of the demagogue, nor followed error
because sanctioned by a majority. His ge-
MUS flashed into the recesses of the future;
and he was ever in advance Of the public
mind. He thought for himself and for his
country; and
"WouM no, flattcr Nepture for his trident
Nor Jovc for his power ofthunjer.
What his heart prizes, that his tongue will utter
Full of years and honors, that gallant
spirit is still our pillar of light. Heaven
forbid that it should be quenched. That
voice has still its spell-that intellect its
empire---that heart its oceanic and over
spreading greatness of sympaty with the
masses, which neither time, nor calumny
nor adversely has diminished; for
| Gage cannot stalf, nor custom withor
The infinite variety"
of genius like that of Henry Clay.
The prayers of millions arise in his be-
half. May they avail with Him in whom
are all the issues of life.-Da,iy .Neus
| PRoGREss OF TIE CnoLERA.--At New
York, from the 18th of May to the 18th
of July, there have been 1913 cases anc
Sl4 deaths from cholera.
AT St. Louis, for the ten weeks ending
the 9th inst. there were 4.32l cases; ano
during the last 6 weeks, 1858 deaths
This, ina population not exceeding $4,000
4 L I