New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-07-10

so. ..
already been enjoyed by the American people,
and still more the influence which the great
achievement is exerting on the advancement
and melioration of the condition of mankind. we
see at once that it might have satisfied the high
est ambition to have been, NO matter how hum
bly,, concerned in so great a transaction.
Certainly, sir, no one will assert that Henry
Clay in that transaction performed obscure
or even common part. On the contrary, from
the day on which he entered the public service
| until that which he passed the gates ofdeath,
he was never a follower, but always leader /; |
| and he marshaled either the party which sus-
tained or that which resisted every great meas
ure equally in the Senate and in the popular
canvass. And he led where duty seemed to him
TO Indicate, reckless whether he encountered
| one President or twenty Presidents, whether he
| was opposed by factions or even by the whole
people. Hence it has happened, that although
that people are not yet agreed among them
selves on the wisdom of all or perhaps OF even
any one Of his great measures, yet they are ne
vertheless unanimous in acknowledging that he
was at once the greatest, the most faithful, and
the most reliable of their statesmen. Here the
effort at discriminating praise of Henry Clay IN
regard to his public policy must stop, even on
this sad occasion, which awakens the ardent
liberalty of his generous survivors. 49,
But his personal qualities may be discussed
without apprehension. What were the elements
of the success of that extraordinary man You,
sir, knew him longer and better than l, and l
would prefer to hear you speak of them. He
was indeed eloquent-all the world knows that.
He held the keys to the hearts of his country
men, and he turned the wards within them with
u skill attained by no other master.
But eloguence was nevertheless only an IN
I,,r orI n,,ao of MOI nv haf
, conversation, his gestures, his very look, was
f magsterial, persuasive, seductive, irresistible,
And his appliance Of all these was courteous,
patient, and indefatigable. Defeat only in
$ spired him with new resolution. He divided OPP
/ position by his assiduity of address, while he
| rallied and strengthened his own bands Of sup
porters by the confidence of success which, feel
G ing himself he easily inspired among his follow
e ers. His affections were high. land pure, and
: generous, and the chiefest among them was that
one which the great Italian poet designated as
: the charity of native land. In him that char
ity was an enduring and oyeypowering enthusi-
+ asm, and it influenced all his sentiments and
It conduct, rendering him more impartial between
conflicting interests and sections than any other
n statesman who has lived since the revolution.
h Thus with great versatility Of talent and the
l. most catholic equality of favor he identified
d every question whether Of domestic adnlinistra-
e ton or of foreign policy, with his own great
IL name, and so became perpetual tribune OF the
l. people. He needed only to pronounce in favor o1
le a measure or against it here, and Immediately
j. popular enthusiasm, excited as by magic wand
IS was felt, overcoming and dissolving all opposi
D. ton in the Senate chamber. :.
ISL In this way he wrought changein our polit
10 cal system that think was not foreseen by it,
,d founders. He converted this branch Of the LIE
,e gislature from negative position, or one o
of equilibrium between the Executive and th'
d. House of Representatives, into the active rulins
,d power of the republic. Only time can disclos
w whether this great innovation shall be benefcen
it or even permanent. So
of Certainly, sir, the great lights of the Senat
g. have set The obscuration is not less palpabl
v to the country than to us, who are left to crop
On our uncertain way here, as in a labyrinth. or
n pressed with self-distrust. The time, too, pre-
IL sents new embarrassments. We are rising
x another and more sublime stage OF national pre-
IS, gress-that of expanding wealth and rapid ter
ly ritorial aggrandizement Our institutions thro
on a broad shadow across the st. Lawrence, an
d. stretching beyond the valley of Mexico,
Sof reaches even to the plains Of Central Americ
while the Sandwich Islands and the shores
oh China recognize its renovating influence. Whe
es ever that influence is felt desire for protectit
es- under those institutions is awakened. Expa
it sion seems to be regulated not by any difficult
,ill of resistance, but by the moderation which r
vas suits from our internal constitution No o.
ity knows how rapidly that restraint may gi
he way Who can tell how fan or how fast it oug
nd to yield /? Commerce has brought the ancie
ic- continents near to us, and created necessiti
Ike for new positions-perhaps connections OF col
nd nies there-and with the trade and friendsh
,f- of the elder nations their conflicts and collisio
len are brought to our doors and to our hearts. u
nd sympathy kindles our Indifference extinguish
sly the fires of freedom in foreign lands. Before '
shall be fully conscious that a change is goil
til on in Europe, we may find ourselves once mo
led divided by that eternal line of separation th
so leaves on the one side those of our citizens wi
red obey the impulses of sympathy, while on Z
oly other are found those who submit only to t
) of counsels of prudence Even prudence will so
,ill be required to decide whether distant regior
nv east and west, shall come under our own pr
out lection, or be left to aggrandize a rapid
his spreading domain of hostile despotisnl.
in Sir, who among us is equal to these nigh
wn auestions' | fear there is no one Neverth
her less, the example Of Henry Clay remains for o
err instruction His genius has passed to the reall
hin of light, but his virtues still live here for
in emulation With them there will remain a.
au- the protection and favor of the Most High, if
md the practice of justice and the maintenance
Gil freedom we shall deserve it. Let, then, the b.
Ind pass on. We will follow with sorrow, but l
acy without hope the reverend form that it bears
up its final resting place; and then, when II
cal grave opens at feet to receive so lnestlma
md treasure we will invoke the God OF our faith
to send us new guides, like him that is now wi
Law drawn, and give us wisdom to obey their
zee structions.