The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-02
HOUSE OF REpREsEsrATIvEs
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 80, 1852.

WEDNESDAY. JUNE 80. 1862
The SPEAKER called the House TO order al twelve
minutes past two O'Clock when
The Rev. c. NJ Butler, Chaplain 10 the Senate, offered
up an appropriate prayer.
The journal Of yesterday was read and approved
The following message was then reserved from the
Senate, by Mr. Dckins, their Secretary:
MIR. Speaker: am directed to communicate 10 this
House Information of the decease OF the Hon. HENRY
CLAY, senator from the State OF Kentucky and the pro.
ceedings OF the Senate thereon"
The resolutions OF the Senate having been read
Mr. BRECKENRIDGE. OF Kentucky, rose and said :
Mr. i e sd pe9h h ss IL Hnsv d
late senator in Congress from the Commonwealth OF
Kentucky.
Mi Clay expired at his lodgings in this city yesterday
morning. at minutes past eleven o'clock in the
seventy sixth year OF his age His noble intellect
uncouded 10 the last After protracted suferngs, he
passed away without pain and so gently did the spirit
leave his frame that he moment OF departure not
observed by the friends who watched at his bedside His
last hours cheered by the presence OF affection
ate son. and he died surrounded by friends who during
his long Illness had done all that affection could suggest
TO soolhe his suierings
Although this sad event has been expected for many
weeks. the shock It produced, and the lnnumerabe b.
uies OF respect 10 his memory exhibited on every sde
and in every FORM prove the depth OF the public
and the greatness OF the public loss
mperishably associated his has been for fiji
years with every great event affecting the fortunes Of
country il is difficult TO realize that he is indeed gone
forever. IL is difficult 10 feel that shall
his noble form within these was-that we shall hear
his patriot tones, rousng his countrymen 10
vndca'e their rights against foreign foe, now I'M
porng them 10 preserve concord among themselves We
shall see him more The memory and the fruits OF
his services alone remain 10 us. Amidst the general
gloom the Capitol itself looks desoaie, the genius of
the place had departed Already the intelligence has
reached almost every quarter OF The republic, and great
people with Today the death OF their most il
lnsirious citizen. Sympaikizins as we do deeply with
his family and friends YET private affection is absorbed
in the general sorrow. The spectacle oi whole CON-
mnnity lamenting the loss of great man is far
touching than any manifestation of private grief n
0f a Lass pb is t.tta
TO describe the universal burst OF grief with which Ken
lucky will receive these tdngs The attempt would be
vain to depict the gloom that will cover her people when
they know that the pillar OF fire has been removed
which has guided their footsteps for the lie OF gen
Grafton
Il is known 10 the country that from the memorable
session of lS49-50 Mr. CLAY's health gradually de-
clned. Although several yeals of his senatorial term
remained he did not propose 10 continue an the public
service longer than The present session de can,e TO
Washington chiefly defend, il il should become
sary, the measures of adjustment, to the adoption ol
which he 8, largely contributed; but the condition OF
his health did moi allow him at any time to participate IN
the discussions OF the Senate During the winter he
confined almost wholly 10 his room, with slight changes
in his condition but gradually losing the remnant, OF his
strength. During the long and dreary winter he con-
versed much and cheeriully with his friends, and ex
pressed deep interest in public affairs Although he
did not expect restoration 10 health, he cherished the
hope that the nld season OF spring would bring to him
strength enough 10 return to Ashland, and die in the
bosom OF his family Bat, alas spring, that brings life
TO all Nature brought life nor hope TO him. After the
month Of March his vital powers rapidly wasted aud for
weeks be lay patiently awaiting the stroke OF death But
the approach Of the Destroyer had no terors for hun
No clouds overhung his future. He met the end with
composure, and his pathway TO The grave bright
ened by the cheering hopes which spring IRON the Chris
ian faith.
Not long before his DEATH having Just returned from
Kentucky, bore TO him token OF affection from bis
excellent wife. Never forget his appearance, his
his words After speaking OF his family, his
frends and his country, he changed the conversation to
his own future, and looking on me with his fine eye
undimmed, and bis voice full OF its original compass and
melody, be said 81 not afraid TO die, sir. | have
hope, faith, and some confidence. ! do not think any
can be entirely certain in regard TO his future saie
but have ali abiding trust 10 the merits and mediation
of our Saviour Ii will assuage the grief of his family
(, know that he looked hopefully beyond the tomb. and
sChristan people will rejoice 10 hear that such man. in
his last hours, Ieposed with simplicity and confidence
the promises OF The Gospel
tbs the custom on occasions like this 10 speak Of the
parentage and childhood OF the deceased, and to follow
him step by step through life. will not attempt to
late even the great events OF r CLAYs fe because they
familiar to the whole country and il would be need
less TO enumerae long list OF public services which
form part OF American history:
Beginning life friendess boy, with few advantages
those conferred by Nature while yet minor he left
Virginia, the State OF his birth, and commenced the prac
fce OF law at Lexington, IN Kentucky AT bar remark
able for its numbers and talent, Mr.. CLAY 10
the irst rank. Al very eafy he elected from
the county OF Fayette TO the general assembly OF Ken
lucky, and was the speaker oil that body. Coming into
the Senate Of the United States for the first time in 1906,
he entered upon parliamentary The most brilliant
and soceessiul in our annals. From that time he
maneu haDlually IN lhe pubic eye, as senator, as
member Of this House and its Speaker, as a repre-.
sentative Of bis country abroad, and high officer in
the executive department OF the government he was inn
rnediatey connected for fifty years with every great
measure of American policy. OF the mere party meas.
ures OF this period do not propose 10 speak Many
of them have passed away, and are remembered only
the occasion for the great intellectual efforts which
marked their discussion. Concerning others, opinions
are still divided They will 60 into history, with the
either side rendered by the greatest nteecis
OF the lime
As leader in deliberatve body, Mr.. CLAY had no
equal in America. In him. intellect, person, elo7uenoe
and courage united TO form character ut to command
He fred with his own enthusiasm. and controlled by his
amazing wilt individuals and masses No reverse could
crush his spirit, defeat reduce him to despair
Equally erect and dauntess IN prosperity and adversely
when successful he moved 10 the accomplishment OF his
purposes with severe resolution when defeated he rallied
HIS broken bands around him, and from his eagle eye
shot along their ranks the conagon OF his own courage
Destined for leader be everywhere asserted his destiny
In his long and evenul life he in contact with
o. all ranks and professions, but be never e that ne was
W me presence OF Superior 10 himself In the as
sembes Of the people, al the bar, in the Senate, every
Where within the circle OF his personal presence, he as
suneo and maintained position Of pre-emInence.
but lhe supremacy Of Mr.. CLAY as party leader was
~, ps only nor his highest title to renown That title ~
pe ionnd IN the purely patriotic spirit which, great
occasions always signalized his conduct We have had
no statesman who in periods OF real and Imminent, public
Pc1i nss exhibited genuine and enlarged patriot.
.sn man HENRY CLAY. Whenever question presented
,sen actually threatening the existence Of the Union,
SL1i. .slng above the passions OF the hour always
isHeo ns powers TO solve peacefully and honoably
hhough more liable than most men, from his mpeiuous
ana Moen, nature 10 feel strongly the passions common
70 M all, " was his rare faculty TO be able 10 snbdue