The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-08-12
The Death of Henry Clay.

ton, on the 29th u, belonged 10 the second genera
non OF American statesmen, hut he may be ranked
amongst the first class of American worthies: and
while his country will deseIvedly pay the honors to
his memory, his vitues and his talents entitlc him to
/ be regretted by the world. In that new hemisphere
where so little is old venerable M. CLAW seemed.
at the close of his long life, be invested with some
tlinS OF antique greatness and 10 represent the spirit
ci wiser and severer age, transmitted to himself
/ I om the founders of the American commonwealth -
For whatever denoc attic institutions NAV have done
for the United States, they have apparently failed 10
pepetuate or reproduce that lofty character for DO
litica principle and personal dignity which gave the
carrier American statesmen their place in history
Mr. Clay however may be classed with them, and his
death closes the epoch which those great citizens
I belonged.
/ Mr.. Clay was almost n solitary example of Of a
man who ranked equally high an advocate, par
llanentaiy orator and Minister and shone alike At
the bar, in the Senate. and in the Cabinet Yet but
small portion of his life spent in power and al
/ though he regarded by his countlvrnen a. the
nrst citizen Of his age, hs hopes ofattanng the high
est position IN the Executive power We're repeate1ly
disappointed; he passed his life under the Govern
men;s Of men very inferior himself in wisdom and
energy; anu ks most iustri1us qualities excluded
him ON the direct Government Of the American
people, he made fewer concessions than any states-
man OF his time and country to popular clamor. He
adhered more closely than his rivals to fixed princ-
pies and traditional rules. Though somewhat more
advanced in his opinions than the old Fede.aist rar-
~, he defended their doctrine with great spirit on the
important question Of intarnal improvements and he
devoted his influence and authority at all times to
preserve the great principle of the maintenance of the
Union. More than the judicious acts of COM
promise proposed by Mr.. Clay were the means of
terminating the most formidable differences that have
yet arisen between the States, and all these ques-
tons his policy was uniformly regulated by the
srlctes adherence to the great lessons Of Washing
ton. Thus he alIayed the dispute as to the uncon-
ditional adnttance OF Missouri into the Union; he
contributed to that adjustment of the tariff If the
United States which reclaimed South Carolina f.om
her course Of notification Of the Federal law; and
his last great act the settlement Of the terms on
which California, and the newly conquered Terrific
RES admitted 10 the Confederation without pred
udice to the influence Of the North and without ex-
tending the curse of Slavery new lands. At an
earlier period of his life he had warmly advocated
the cause of South American ind pendence, and the
early recognition of the revocd colonies Of Spain
tie adopted with enthusiasm the idea Of combined
American policy, to the exclusion Of European niiu-
cnce OH that continent. But H. gave no encourage
ment to the schemes Of Texan annexation or 10 the
spolation of Mexico, and he cxpiated his tardy
10 that unjust and aggressive war by the loss Of
his only son. who killed in action in one Of the
Mexican battles. Probably it was this strong and
exclusive American feeling, which was honorable as
form Of pat iotsm, that led Mr.. Clay into the plinc-
pal error of his political life; for unqnestonaby his
authority and his arguments the stronghold for
many years of the system of high tariffs and protec-
tive duties in the United States. 1t is strange at
this day to back TO the narrow and erroneous
views OF SO eminent man. In $50, for instance,
he declared In Congress that Europe had almost
reached her utmost limit OF capacity in consuming
the surplus produce OF America, and that they had
passed the maXium OF foreign demand for bfe:dsiuis
and tobacco; whence he inferred that the strictest
laws were to be enacted for the exclusion Of those
commodities of European production which could
alone be given in exchange for articles of American
export. There be little doubt that the mischiev
Gus delusions of Mr.. Clay and his friends these
subjects have considerably prolonged the existence of
high protective duties in the United States, though
those views have been equally injurious to their par
ty interest and To the public prosperity. The Nhig
party has lost itself in America, not much be-
cause it is Wing because il is Proteconis. Even
in power at the present time 1t csnnot act upon Its
principles, and every thing seems 10 denote that
the next Presidential election viii completely defeat
It's psetensons. Had Me-. Clay taken different
course OH the commercial rolicy of the Union, he
would probably have enjoyed much longer tenure Of
Office, and he would tainly have deserved a far
larger amount Of public gratitude.
Yet the name of Henry Clay deserves TO rank
among the best wants Of his county, or nothing
low OF unwo thy crossed his ca,eer. He was
fervent but iadcious lover Of freedom, and
full minister to the general interests. Though con-
neced by strongest ties with Kentucky, Slave
s>tdte, WAtu VI
the South as he found them, he defended them
like Calhoun or allowed them to warp his principle
Of plsce and humanity Toward foreign nations his
policy and language generally conciliatory and
pacific and the last desire Of his life to appear
once more in the Senate of the United States to de-
nounce the absurd aud mischevous doctrine Of inter-
vention which kossuth has been labo. ing to instil
into the populace. His highest ambition remained
unsatisfcd, and it doubtless cost him pang to re-
ceive the announcement that the Whis Convention
of lS4S had adopted Gen. Tay Tor and not himself as
its candidate for the Presidency Indeed, if others
ruled by the favor Of easier fortune, more de-
served to exercise supreme power. But the lie Of
Mr. Clay is another example Of the capslces and ac-
cidents which determine the gift OF elective power
and where universal suffrage to seek the wol thiest
citizen ii will ever be easier, it was in Athens, to
ostracise than to reward hin.-Loadon TINES July
IL.
REGATTA AT WINNIPssroeEE.-The contem-
plated rerata on this beautiful lake will take place
at an .a,ly day, the arrangements having being per-
fected. The boats engaged are those ot the clubs
connected with Harvard and Yale Colleges, and will
/ 4 ho all