New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-06-30
HENRY CLAY.

MY hearers y said the eloquent Mas
silon, commencing the funeral services for
Louis XIV, God alone is great l'-Al
inequalities of human powers an achieve
ments, in presence of the Divine Majesty,
are but the difference of grains of dust from
each other.
For long and eventful Half Century,
HENRY CLAY has borne part in guiding
the destinies of our Country; for the last
forty years, that part has been an important
one. While yet a youth, he became
counselor of the People by addressing his
fellow citizens from place to place in favor
of providing, in their State Constitution
then about to be formed for the Gradual
Extinction of Human Slavery throughout
their State-a suggestion which was over
ruled by short lighted egotism, but which,
had it prevailed, would have rendered Ken
lucky ere this as wealthy, populous and
powerful as Ohio now is. Fifty years later,
the Revision of that Constitution afforded
him an opportunity for reiterating his co..
yictions on this vital theme, which slave
holding sel6shness again overruled. While
this decision is deeply to be regretted, the
cause which enlists and retains such an adj
vocate can never be Justly deemed hopeless.
kentucky viii heed more profoundly the
voice of her most illustrious Statesmc /,
now that it is hushed forever in death.
The next great topic which enlisted Mr..
Clay's youthful energies was the foolishly
arbitrary Alien and Sedition laws, whereby
the great party founded by Washing sOn
was wrecked by the inheritors of his power
without his wisdom. Guided by his strong
instinct of sympathy for Freedom and ha-
tired of Despotism, Mr.. Clay enlisted in the
support of Jefferson, and contributed by his
popular eloQuence to the zeal and almos.
unanimity wherewith the West supported
his election and administration. The War
of 1912 also found in Mr.. Clay one of lis
earliest, heartiest and most efficient cham
pions.
Having served with distinction in the
Legislature of Kentucky, Mr.. Clay was
chosen in 1906 to the U. S. Senate to fill
short vacancy, and was soon after reelected
for longer vacancy. Retiring from that
BODY he was chosen to the House, whereof
he was Immediately made Speaker-a COM
pliment never paid to any other new Mem
Der. Thence until 1925, when he accept
ed the first place in the Cabinet OF Dir.
Adams, MIR. Clay, with scarcely an inter-
ruption, was the master-spirit of the House,
in which he welded an influence entirely
without parallel. Whether as presiding
officer, as debater, or as practical legls-
lator, that House has known no other MEM
Der who could be fairly pronounced the
equal of Henry Clay.
His conduct of the State Departmentwas
able, dignifed and efficient, and several of
his State Papers drawn up in that capacity
are models for just sentiment and concise +:
energy of expression. His instructions to
our Ministers to the proposed Congress at
Panama of American Nations, and his plea
for the Right of the United States to navi-
gate freely the St. Lawrence, may serve as
examples. Retiring to private life at the
close of Mr.. Adams's term, he was thence
called to the U. S. Senate in 1872, re-
naming member of that body, except
during brief period of voluntary retire.
ment, to the day of his death. That he ex-