The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-03

than fiction in those profound lines Of the poet .
F" He who ascends the mountain top shall find
It's loftlest peaks most wrapt in clouds and
snow
He who surpasses or subdues mankind,
Must look down on the hate of those below,
Though far above the sun Of glory glow.
And far beneath the earth and ocean spread,
Round him are icy rocks, and loudly blow
Contending tempests on his naked head,
And thus reward the tolls which TO those
SUBMITS led" ~
C0lumny and detracton emptied their walls
upon him. But how glorious the change! He
out'lived maliceand envy. He lived long enough
to prove to the world that his ambition was no
more than holy aspiration to make his country
the greatest, most powerful and best governed
on the earth Ii he desired its highest office, it
was because the greater power and influence
| resulting from such elevation would enable him
to do more than he otherwise could for the pro.
gress and advancement--frs of his countrymen,
then OF his whole race. His sympathies EN-.
braced all. The African slave, the Creole of
Spanish America, the children of renovated
classic Greece--a families of men, without re-
spect to color or cline, found in his expanded
bosom and comprehensive intellect friend of
their elevation and ameoration. Such ambi
ton as that, is Gods implantaton in the human
heart for raising the down-trodden nations of
the earth, and fitting them for regenerated ex-
lstence in politics, in morals, and religion.
Bold and determined as Mr.. Clay was in all
his actions, he was, nevertheless, conciliatng
He did not obstnately adhere to things imprac
ticable If he could not accomplish the best,
he contented himself with the highest approach
| to it. lie has been the great compromiser oil
those political agitations and opposing opinions
which have, in the belief of thousands, at differ
ent times, endangered the perpetuity of our fed
eral government and Union
Mr. Clay was no less remarkable for his ad
mirable social qualities than for his intellectual
abilities. As a companion, he was the delight
of his friends; and no man ever had better or
truer. They have loved him from the begin
ming, and loved him to the last His hospitable
mansion at Ashland was always open to their
reception. No guest ever thence departed with
out feeling happier for his visit. But, alas that
hospitable mansion has already been converted
into house Of MORNINGS already has intelli
gence of his death passed with electric velocity
to that aged and now widowed lady who for
more than fifty years, bore to him all the en-
dearing relations of wife; and whose feeble CON
dition prevented her from joining him in this
city, and soothing the anguish oflife's last scene
by those endearng attentions which no one can
give so well as woman and wife. May God
infuse into her heart and mind the Christian
spirit of submission under her bereavement II
cannot be long before she may expect reunion
in heaven. A nation condoles with her and her
children on account of their irreparabe loss
Mr.. Clay, from the nature of his disease, de.
cned very gradually. He bore his protracted
sufferings with great equanimity and patience.
On one occasion he said to me that when death
was inevitable and must soon come, and when
the sufferer was ready to die, he did not perceive
the wisdom of praying to be delivered from
sudden DEATH" Hethought under such circum-
stances the sooner suffering was relieved by
death the better. He desired the termination of
his own sufferings, while he acknowledged the
duty of patiently waiting and abiding the plea
sure of God. Mr.. Clay frequently spoke to me
of his hope of eternal life, founded uron the
merits of Jesus Christ as q saviour: who, as he
remarked, came into the world TO bring " life
and Immortality to light" He was a member
of the Episcopalian Church. In one of our con-
versations he told me, that as his hour of DISCO
luton approached, he found his affections were
concentrating more and more upon his domestic
circe-his wife and children. In my daily visits
he was in the habit Of asking me to detail to him
the transactions of the Senate. This did, and
he manifested much interest in passing occur
rences. His inquiries were less frequent as his
end approached For the week preceding his
DEATH he seemed TO be altogether distracted
from the concerns of the world When he be-
came so low that he could not converse without
being fatigued, he frequently requested those
around him to converse He would then quietly
listen. He retained his mental faculties in great
perfection. His memory remained perfect. He
frequently mentioned events end conversations
Of recent occurrence, showing that he had
perfect recollection Of what was said and dore
He said to me that he was grateful 10 God for
continuing TO him the blessing Of reason which
enabled him TO contemplate and reflect on bis
situation. He manifested during bis coufne.
ment the same CHARACTERISTICS which marked his
conduct through the vigor Of his life. He was
exceedingly averse to give his friends trouble"
as he called IT, Some time before no knew t.
we commenced waiting through the night in an
adjoining ROOM lie taid TO me after passing
painful day, perhaps some one had better re-
main all night in the parlor." From this time
he knew some friend was constantly at hand
ready TO attend 10 him.
Mr. President, the majestic form Of Mr. Claw
will no more grace these halls. No more shall
we hear that voice which has so often thrilled
and charmed the assembled Representatives of
the American people. No more shall we see
that waving hand and eye Of light, as when he
was engaged unfolding his policy in regard to
the varied interests Of our growing and mighty
republican empire His voice is silent on earth
forever. The darkness of death has obscured
the lustre Of his eye. Bot the memory Of his
services-not only TO his beloved Kentucky, not
only 10 the United Statos, but for the cause of
human freedom and progress throughout the
word--wil live through future ages az bright
example, stimulating and encouraging bis own
countrymen and the people Of all nations in
their patriotic deyolions to country and hu.
manity.
With Christians, there is yet nobler and
higher thought in regard 20 Mr. Clay. They
will think Of him in connection with eternity.
They will contemplate his immortal spirit occu-
pying it's true relative magnitude amsnr the
moral stars Of glory in the presence Of God.
They will think Of him as having fulfilled the
duties allotted to him on earth, having been re
generated by Divine grace, and having passed
through the valley Of the shadow Of death, and
reached an everlasting and happy home in that