The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-02

have had an existence without his genius his
courage and his labors that great heart nn and
defiant TO the assaults OF his enemies, bat deeneeess
against the lngratiude OF friends, doubtless wrung with
the berest morthcaiion oil his lille; then IL was and
under such circumstances these, the gathering storm
rose upon his country. All eyes turned 70 him; all
voices called for those services which, in the hour Of
prosperity and security, they had careessy rejected
Win no msanthropc chagrin; with no morose, selfish
nc ofgo all but ms e9uay ana 'bi h
lahors and his fame, which he had thought 10 have
lett foreyer--a scene. that American Senate chamber
clothed in no gorgeous drapery TO dazze the eye
oil iabcy shroaded IN no supesiiious awe or ancient
reverence Tor hereditary power, but TO refecing
American mind more full Of interest. Of dignity. and Of
grandeur than any spot on this broad earth not made
ters there, trembngly but hopefully upon the last most
momentous. perhaps most doubtful, conflict OF his life
Sir, many gay tournament has been more dazzling to
play of ewelry aud cloth OF god in the sound OF bealds
rumpets. in the grand array Of prncey beauty and OF
royal pride. Many battlefield has trembed beneath a
more ostentaous parade Of human power, and it's con-
querors have been crowned with aures, honored with
rumphs, and apotbeosized amid the demgods Of history
but TO the thoughtful, hopeful phanthropic student OF
The annals OF his race, never was there conflict in which
such dangers were threatened such hopes mpeIlled or
the hero Of which deserved gratitude nobler
triumph, or prouder monument
Sir from that long, anxious, and exbaustng conflict ne
never regalned his mortal strength In that last battle
for his countrys honor and his countrys safety he
ceived the moSta wound which laid him low and we
now the death OF maryred patriot.
But never, in all the grand drama which the story OF
his life arrays. never has he presented submer or
more touching spectacle than in those last days OF his de-
cline and death Broken with the storms OF State,
wounded and scathed in many fiery conflict that aged
worn, and decayed body in such mournfu contrast with
the dying strength OF his giant spirit he seemed a
proud and sacred, though crumbling, monument Of
glory past. Standing amongst us, like some ancient
colossal ruin amidst the degenerate and more dmlnuve
structures of modern times, its vast proportions magn
fed by the contrast he reminded of those days when
there were giants in the land and we remembered that
even then there was none whose prowess could with
stand his arm. To watch him in that slow decline,
yielding with dignity and it inch by inch, 10 that
last enemy, as hero yields TO conquering foe the
glorious light Of his intellect blazing still all its woned
brlancy, and setting at defiance the clouds that vany
attempted TO obscure it, he full Of interest Than
in the day OF his glory and his power. There are some
men whose brightest intellectual emanatons rise so little
superior to the instincts Of the animal, that led
fearully to doubt that cherished truth OF the souls i'm
mortality, which, in despair, press TO their
doubling hearts. But it in the death OF such man as
he that reassured by the contemplation of kim
dred though superior spirit OF soul which, immortal like
his fame. knows no old age, no decay, no DEATH
The wondrous light OF his unmatched intellect may
have dazzled world; the eloquence OF that inspired
tongue may have enchanted millions, but there lew
who have sounded The depths of that noble heart TO
him in sickness and in health in Joy and in sadness,
in the silent watches OF the night and in the busy day
ume-this it was TO know and love him. To the i'm
petuous torrent of that ressess will the hurricane OF
those passions hushed in peace breathe calm and gently
summer zephyr to feel the gentle pressure of that
hand in the grasp of friendship which, the rage OF fiery
conflict could hur and defiance at his foe TO
that eagle eye, which Oft would burn with patriotic
dor or fash with the ghtning OF his anger, beam with
the kindliest expressions OF tenderness and affection
then was, and then aone could learn to know and
feel that that hear was warned BY the same sacred hire
from above which enkndled the light of his espendent
intellect In the death OF such man even patriotism
itself might pause and for moment stand aoot while
friendship shed tear of sorrow upon his bier. His
life gentle, and the elements SO mixed in him that
Nature might stand and say TO all the world this was
mani"
n xI.-
portray the desolaon which in this hour throughout this
broad land hangs gloomy pail over his grief stricken
countrymen How poorly can words like mine trans
late the eloquence OF whole peoples grief for patri.
OTIS death For a nations loss let nation mourn For
that supendous calamity TO country and mankind be
the heavens hung with black lei, the wang elements
chant his dae, and the universal heart oil man throo
with one common pang Of grief and anguish.
Mr.. CASklE, OF Virginia, said Mr., Speaker, unwell
as am, must try 10 lay single aurelleaf in that open
coffin whsh already Dy the eoqosn, tributes S
now solemn hall for come SIR, from the district oil his
birth represent this floor that old Hanover proud
Of her HeDys-ber Patrick Henry and her HEnRY
CLAY. speak for people among whom he has always
had and devoted friends the grace
and glory OF patriot and statesman.
| shall attempt no sketch OF his life. That you have
had from other and abler hands than mine. Till yeser
day that life was OF his own free g the property OF his
country; to-day il belongs to her history It's known TO
all and will not be forgotten Constant stern opponent
OF his political school as has been my State say Tor her
that nowhere in this broad land his great qualities
more admired is his death mourned than in Vr-
giua Well may this be So for she is bis mother and he
was her son.
Mr. Speaker when remember the party strifes in
which he was 90 much mingled, and through which we
all less have passed. and then survey this scene
and think how far, the lightning has borne the
that he is gone, half masted flags dropping and church
bells are tong, and men sorrowing, can but feel
that II is good for man 10 die For when Death enters
Oh how the unkindnesses, and jealouses and rivares
Of life do vanish and how like incense from an altar do
peace and friendship and all the sweet charities of our
nature, rise around the corpse which was a man
And OF truth, Mr. Speaker, never was more Of VERT
able noble manhood cased in mortal mould than found
in him to whose memory this brief and humble but true
and heartfelt tribute is paid. But his eloquent voice is
hushed, his high heart is sed Like shock Of corn
fully ripe, he has been gathered 10 his fathers" With
more than three score years and ten upon him, and
honors clustered thick about him. IN the full possession OF
unclouded intellect. and all the consultations OF Christian
ity, he has met the fate which is evabe by La
mented by all his countrymen, his name is bright
Fames immortal roll He has finished his course. and
he has his crown. Wha, more fruit can life beari What
can II give that HEsRY CLAY has not gained
Them Mr.. Speaker, around his tomb should be heard
not only the dlrge that walls his loss but the juban
anthem which sounds that the worlds battle field
another victory has been wonanoher inconiesabe great
achieved.
Mr.. CHANDLER said: Mr.. Speaker, il would seem
from Kentucky IMr EwIse] receiving early
answer and that the heavens hung in black and the
waing elements are singing the funeral dge OF HENRY
CLAY Amid this elemental gloom and the distress which
pevades the nation at the death of HrsRY CLAY, pr
vaie grief should not obtrude itself upon notice. per-
sona anguish seek for uerance Silence s the best
poneat OF individual sorrow, and the heart that knoweth
affection.
Could have consulted my own feelings on the event