The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-27
MIR. CIay's Illness.
From Me Ne,o YORK Express, Mav 2S.

From the Nei1 York ErWsss, May rs.
We had the pleasure of half an hours converse
ton with Dr. Jackson, on Sunday. at Philadelphia,
in reference to the character Of the disease Of his
distinguished patient. DR.. Jackson has spent
many days with MIR. Clay at Washington recent
ly. and has taken that deep interest in his case
which springs not only from high devotion to his
profession, but from sincere love and regard ft
Mr.. Clay. He tells MS that the cxertions which
Mr. Clay made in lS49-50 in behalf of the passage
| of the Compromise measured, in which he mani
sted such intense feeling and interest precpt1ted
his life ten years at least and that he is now in
sequence Of such over-exertiops, which employ ed
him night and day, and which occupied all his
thoughts as well as all his time, where he would
have been in the ordinary course Of nature, with
out such effort. at the age Of eighty five years.
The excitement while it lasted kept him alive, but
bodily decay soon followed, until now there 10 not
sufficient physical vitality to proong liie Younger
men with good constitutions have rccuperative
power sufficient to enable them to master such
physical relaxation, but at enty five no can
expect so to overdo and 80 to master nature.
Mr.. Clay feels the truth of all this end does not
| mourn at what has been done, repne at tho
prospect before him. He knows that death 10 not
far of, and is PREPARED for the summons, como
when it may. He felt sad for while that the plea
sure OF reading was denied him, and does not 70.
tain 80 large an interest in public affairs as when
in better health, though he 10 now read 10 every
day by his son. The world, he says, lie naturally
becoming more and more contracted to his view,
and as day after day passes away, the visions of
life gradually recede aud open prospect of the
better world beyond the grave. The occasional
glimpses of restoraton-a stronger pulse or a
queter rest at night-excite no hope or wish to
prolong his life, and on several occasions he has
told his physicians that he has no desire to live.
His prostration of body has not touched his mind,
and one feature of his feebieness 10 that he cannot
support himself alone, and is not allowed to walk,
even with the support Of others. DR.. jackson told
him recently that if he stood erect he would faint,
and that ii he should faint he would breathe no
more 'Why is this?' asked Mr.. Clay. .'Be-
there not enough of vitality in the heart to
give circulation to the Blood 'sHas il then como
to this?" said Mr.. Clay, and for moment borrow
fully. And seeing the necessity, he has suffered
himself to be borne like child to and from his
bed. Mr.. Clay throughout has studied his disease,
If disease it be, critically, thoughtfully. and
physically He has watched the gradual wasting
away of life until there is but the faintest pusation
left to tell him that the spirit still survives within
its emaciated tenement Of flesh. He will die
calmly and beautifully he has lived, and his
spirit will depart full of the Christian hope of go
rious immortality. That"unbought grace of life"
the good mans hope in God-which imparts
much dignity 20 death, will mike the sunset of
life as tranquil and pleasant to him the shadows
of tranquil twilight merging into the darkness of
the evening. There are bright stars above to light
up such darkness thin, and further on the
dawning of the perfect day of celestial paradise.
MIR. Clay, after fifty years service for his country
will enjoy the rest OF eternity hereafter.