Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-11-01
MISCELLANEOUS.
HENRY CLAY, AS SPEAKERS.

ri u U s
Certainly, no one ever presided over
any deliberative body, in this country,
with more personal popularity and infu-
ence Than Mr.. Clay. He governed the
House with more absoluteness than any
Speaker that preceded or followed him.
1t was power founded upon character
and manners. Fearless, energetic, de-
cided, he swayed the timid by superior
will, and governed the bold through sym
pathy. A chivalric bearing, easy adj
= dress, and warm heart, drew around
him crowds of admirers. He cultivated
what our great men too much neglect
the philosophy of manners. None
knew better than the wonderous power
4 in seeming trifes how mach word, a
tone, look can accomplish; what direc-
ton they give 10 the whole character of
opinion and conduct. There seemed
nothing constrained in his courtesy, moth
ing simulated; all his manner was sim
pie, unaffected, ardent; if it were not
genuine, he had early arrived at the per-
fection of art.
As an orator, he was unequalled, even
in an assembly that boasted of Chieves,
Of Forsyth, Of Lowndes, and others no
less distinguished. His voice was So
nnrous and musical, falling with proper
cadeuce from the highest 10 the lowest
sonss; al times, when in narrative or de-
scripiion, modulated, smooth and pleas
ing, like sounds of running water; but
when raised TO animate and cheer, it
was as clear and spiritstirring as the
IF ., al he
while ringing with its melody.
Ofeh,imes he left his chair TO address
b the House. A call Of the House would
not have brought members in more ca
gerly. Few, indeed, could have INDUCED
in such frequency Of speech, and and re-
tatned personal ascendency. But his
influence seemed to increase in strength,
d the oliener it was exerted. He had a
wonderful tact, by which he judged, as
il by intuition, when the subject, or the
patience of his audience, threatened 10
be'exhausted; and took oare always to
leave the curiosity of his hearers unsat-
isfed.
u was member Of the House during
the war;" writes gentleman to the ed
itor of these papers, sand was present
when Mr.. Clay made his farewell speech
ON resignlng the Speakership. il was an
impressive occasion. Not only were all
the seats of members occupied, but ma
ny Senators attended and large miscel-
laneous crowd. The war which he had
been most active in hastening, and most
energetic in prosecuting. he was now
commissioned, with others, TO close
He was lie yourseat Of the Commits
soners, but sagacious fa- beyond his
years. The hopes of the country, tired
of a protracted struggle, grew brighter
from his appointment
"UndoubtoGly, a! this time, even in
his ynu,hful age, he had no rival in pop
ularity. His name was everywhere ia
miliar as housceold words. Ills own
bearing e,inced consciousness Of his
favor III the country. | was struck with
= Tis appearance ON this occasion. There
was fire i'll his eye, an elaiion in his
eountenGnco, a l,uoyancy, IN his whole
action, that seemed the seli-consciousness
-"f coming greatness. Hope frightened
aud joy e!ated his crest. AS full OF con-
iidfnce, gallant heariug, and gratifed
look, he iook his sea, IN the Speakers
chair, his towering height even more
conspicuous than Usual, could not but
call 10 mind Vernon's description oi
Henry, Prince Of Wales, in Shakes.
peare:
Il saw young Harry, with his beaver on,
His cuisses on his thigh CALAMITY armed.
Rise from the ground like feathered mercu-
ry,
And vaulted with such ease into his seat,
AS if an angel dropp'd down from the
clouds,
ctun and wind fiery Pegasus,
And witch the world with noble horseman-
ship"
"After he had resigned The chair, in q
nea, and appropriate speech, he came
down 10 the floor, and members surroun.
dcd him TO express their great grief al
his withdrawal, mingled however, with
congratulations upon his appointment
and with the expression Of sanguine an
iicipations OF the success Of his mis-.
sion"
Among The recollections Of Mr.. Web
! ster's early life, we find little incident
; showing how nearly the ilustrlous
statesman was lost in the Clerk of !
County Court:
The clerk Of the Court OF Common
Pleas for the county Of Hillsborough
New Hampshire, resigned his Office il
- January, 1905. Mr.. Webster's father
was one II the judges Of this court; ant
and his colleagues, from regard for him
rendered his son the vacant clerkship.--
II was what Judge Webster had long de
sired. The office was worth 1880
per annum, which was in those days
and in that neighborhood, a competency
or rather absolute wealth. Mr.. Web
sler himself considered il great prize
and was eager to acceptit. He weighed
the question in his mind. On the OH,
side he saw immediate comfort; on III,
other, AT the best, doubtful struggle
BY its acceptance he made sure his goo,