New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-07-26
ENGLAND.
The Death of Henry Clay.
From The Londsn Times, July u.


From The Londsn Times,Juyl2 Il.
HENRY CLAY, whose death took place
ct Washington on the Doth ult belonged to the secont
generation Of American Statesmen, but he may bt
ranked among the first class OF American worthless anc
while his country will deservedy pay the highest henor
10 bis memory his virtues and his talents entite him
be regretted by the world. In that new hemisphere
where little 10 old or venerable, Mr.. CLAY seemed, al
the close Of his long He 10 be invested with something
OF antique greatness and to represent the spirit OF
wiser and severer age transmitted 10 himself from the
founders OF the Amert ian commonwealth. For "nat
democratic institutions may have done Tor the
reproduce that lofty character for political prin-
ciple ard personal dignity which gave the earlier Amer
lean statesmen their place in history: Mr. CLAY, now
ever may be clsssed with them, aud his death closes
the epoch 10 which those great citizens belonged.
Mr. CLAY was born on the 18th Of April III, &c IA
mover County Virginia, consequently only three years
after the Declaration Of Independence and In tue stare
which was 10 produce some OF the first champions aud
governors OF the American Confederation. dis ills
includes the whole of his countrys history from
the doubtful contest of revoted colony ana tns ioI
nation OF the Union 10 the present exalted condluon
Of lie prosperity and power For upward OF Oh
years be had taken active part In public affairs
At early age of 90 no began to pracuce the law
with the bar OF Lexington, In the State OF
Kentucky which be thenceforth adopted as his own.
He soon aiterwsrd elected member OF the Con-
vephon TO form the State Constitution of Kentucky 10
which capacity he endeavored though In vaD to intro
duce measures for the gradual eradication of Slavery
The Assembly Of Kentucky raised him at an unusually
early age 10 the high post Of Senator of the United
States which he continued occupy during great part
of his life. In one of the intervals, however in his
senatorial career he returned 10 the House OF
Representatives, which chose him Speaker; other In
terruptons caused by his temporary acceptance
Of Office.
In 1918 we find Mr.. CLAY eagerly advocating the ne
cesty of war with Great Britain and hs 'ch on the
Army bill Of that date oears few traces OF thes ys
tematc pscy OF the Wing party to which he beonge1
or Of the habua moderation OF his character. Yet ne
was attached to the msson OF Mr. Ada ms and Mr. Gal
LATIN which negotiated the Treaty OF Client In the iol
lowing and completed the peace by the suosequent
Commercial Convention concluded In London. He re.
fused mission 10 Russia under President Madison, and
he declined Office under President Muntos for the part
which he continued take In political life had never d.
yertsd him from his successful practice at the bar
But powerfully exerted In ls24to carry
the Presidential election in favor OF John Quincy
Adams and when that contest decided In favor OF
his friend he accepted under him the office of Secrea
m of State Mr. CLAY almost a solitary example
Of who ranked equally high as an advocate,
parliamentary orator and Minister, aud shnne alike
at the BAL in the Senate and In the Cabinet Yet bat
ANAL portion Of bis life spent 10 power, and al
though he was regarded by his countrymen the first
citizen OF bis his hopes OF attaining the hghes. po
sidon In the Executive Power peatenly dsap-
pointed he passed bis life under the Governments
of men very inferior TO himself In wisdom an
energy and his most ilusnious qualities excluded
him from the direct Government of the Amer.
lean people He made fewer concessions than
any ststssman Of his time and country to popular
slsmor. He adhered mere closely than his rivals to
what moro advanced n his opinions than the old Fede
rsst party he defended their doctrine with great spirit
on the important question of internal improvements
and he devoted his influence and authority at all times
70 preserve the great principle of the maintenance OF the
Union More than the judlclous acts Of eompro.
mise proposed by Mr. CLAY were the means of termi.
pat on the most formidable differences that have yet
arisen between the States and all these questions hts
policy uniformly regulated by the stctes adherence
the great lessons Of Washington Thus no aayed the
dispute 10 the unconditional admittauce OF Missouri
k. that adj nf
the tariff of the United States which reclaimed South
Carolina from her OF notification Of the Federal
law and bis last great act was the settlement OF the
terms on which CsiforDis, and the newly conquered
Territories were admitted 10 the CONFEDERATE without
preusice to the influence of the North, and without eX
lending the Of Slavery 10 new LANDS AT an ear
her period OF hs life he had warmly adyocsed the cause
Of South American ndepe ndence, and the early recog
milton Of the revoed colonies OF Spaia. He adopted
with enhpsiasn the idea OF combined American p0ll
ey 10 the exclusion OF European influence that CONT
nept But he gave no encouragement to the schemes
of Texan annexation to the spoliaon of Mexico aud
he expsted his tardy assent that unjust and aggres
sive war by the loss of his only son, who killed ia
action In one OF the Mexican battles Probably II
ths strong and exclusive American feeling, which
honorable as form Of patriotism, that led Mr.. CLAY
intothe principal error OF his political life for unques
uonaby bis authority and his arguments were the
stronghold for many years Of the system Of hsh TARIFF
and protective duties 10 United States It's strange
at this day 70 turn back TO the aud erroneous
views Of so eminent man. In 1920 for instance he
her utmost limit Of capacity Ia consuming the surplus
produce Of America and that they hal passed the aT
OF foreign demand for bresdstufs snd tobsc.
co; whence ha inferred that the strictest laws
20 be enacted for the exclusion of those com.
modoes OF European production which could alone DO
sven In exchange for articles of American ex.
port There be llttle doubt that the mischieyous
deluslons OF Mr. CLAY and his friends on these subjects
have considerably prolonged the existence of higo pto
tectve duties In ae Unted States though these views
have been equally injurious their party ,pterest and
70 the public prosperity The Whie party has lost llsef
In America Dot 90 much because Il Is Wbig a. because
10 Protectionist Even In po~er at the present time
cannot act upon LIS principles and every thing
seems to denote that The next Presidential eeetion viii
completely defeat its pretensious Had Mr. CLAY taken
dterept course on the commercial policy of the IIp
on, ne would probably have enjoyed a much longer
tenure OF once, and he would certainly have deserved
atnr larger amount OF public gratitude
fes me name OF HENRY CLAY deserves 10 rank
among zoe oest servants his country tor nothing low
unsonny ever erosied his career He wa, feryent
ous edieeus lover OF freedom and careful minister
70 the general Interests Though connected by tho
strongest uss Win kentucky, Slave State and com.
pence 70 otsi with the Institutions OF the South as he
p9hd tnem, be ntver defended them Ike Calhoun. or
snoNeo mem TO warp his principle of justice and
.umsnny. toward foreign nations his policy and
tDgesee were generally concistoTy and pacific, and
we last desire Of hs HE TO appear opce more IN
inc senate Of the United States 10 denouncs The
ssMc ana fnischieyOur doctrine of int rv.n,ion
men nossuth has been sbons o&n.t into the .oon
- . hs highest ambition rensined unsaii.ss{ and
mar, sss eost him pang 10 receive the Announce
vi" he Wig Conversion of lsls had sSoa,sd