The Yazoo Democrat., 1850-08-22
unnRY nnAY.

nation, than Henry Clay. He has grown old
and gray in the service Of his country, which
services were cheerinlly rendered, and dOubt>
less designed to be patriOtlc,and far be it from
as to try,even flour feeble arm had the ability,
10 pluck single flower from the wreath OF
glory which now encircles his name, or
which greatful and servile party may nere>
after desire TO hang upon his tomb. On the
contrary, we reverence his great talents, and
commend his love of country and human lib.
erty, and Eoel willing that his fame should be
commensurate, in duration, with ihe polished
columns Of the iair temple Of liberty which
he has contributed so abundanhy to adorn
and sustain But for the repeated and we'll
aimed blows which he has dealt the inslitu-
tiOns OF his native South, we cannot do
otherwise than regard his embrace us fatal as
that Of the BoacOnstrictor. The injury he
has done the South Will ever be remembered
and depIored, deplOred because it cannot be
remeded, and will obscure the hallow which
would otherwise have accompanied his name,
undimed, to poStcrity. Il is blotch that will
enlarge and blacken as il goes. We looked
upon him, on account d his location, as our
surest hope and defence, in times of danger
and aggression, but he has proved, alasI our
deadliest foe. We hoped, when his sonorous
voice ives raised above he tempest of party,
it would be heard staying the billows that
were dashing against the South and her
institutions bu. not so, it vas heard in foreign
and unfamiliar accents, eltreating US to bend
to the storm. We listered in vain to hear
him calling around him faithful few, who
would breast the storm and make headway
against the driving iemlest A few, who
with stout hearts and imperial arms, would
Send this tornado Of Eanatisism, bowling back
TO the snow clad hills Of New Englahd-and
leave "fair weather in our clustering land "
But on the contrary, reckless Of the danger
which threatens us, aud unmind(ul of the
clouds that are gathering thick and Porten'-
Gus along our political horizon, when he sees
his calls for submission are disregarded.
though every lisament which helps to hold
together the conflicting and jealous interests
Of this vast country are drawn to their utmost
tension, and ready to break assunder, and
the ship of State driving wildly and madIy
towards the yawnng chasm, he coOlly avOws
his wish to 'see the strength Of the govern
ment tried" This calls up, in imagination
noby lreighied ship, we'll rged and a led
tempting the giddy maelstrom, round ano
round, nearer and nearer it approaches the
frightlul vortex, already the roaring OF it
maddened waters have drowned the cry o
the terror-sircken crew, the helmsman twill
try the strength Of the ship" Oh, what
knel was this declaration of the great states
man, to the hopes of thousands who trustee
his great and acknowledged abilities woul'
be exerted, not to try, but if possible to SAT-
the government. lie has thus, unior'unatel !,
for him, furnished us with a talisman that vii
make plain many an obscure passage IN Ill
history. In '33, during the excitement uPol
E the tariff question:, he came forward with
one.sided compromise, praying the South II
give up & portion of her rights to quiet the pub
lie mind, the North was asked to yield moth
ing, to give up no vested right, only TO sus
; pend her high pretenliOns, that they might b
nut forward with more success in '42. A
likewise upon the Missouri question: tn
! South must give up right, principle, whil
the North gives nothing to the South. onl
sackens her demands to be urged with great
er vehemence in 1850. But fortunately 70
the South, she had began to regard wit
some suspicion, champion who had so olIe
proved rccreant to his trust, 1and give
e away her rights. Not battered, but squanC
/. cred them, as absolutely nothing was receI'
y ed in return; SO when his voice was agal
o heard in the tumull, asking her to submit, sh
+ refuses, and he in disappointed rage, declare
;, his desire to try the strength Of the govern
j. ment, and see if there is not power in il
r. arm to force her to submission. This Is th
true meaning OF his language, if it mean
anything. 1t is direct challenge to war,
settle the question in the tented field. Al
President Fillmore, acting upon the cha
n Ienge, calls for troops TO be used in dispose
at sing Texas of her rightful territory, whic
ID event, but for the timely concession on Il
part of Texas, would have resulted in
p bloody and devastating civil war.
ID To satisfy the friends Of Mr.. Clay, tn