The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-07
WEDNESDAY,. Juae 30. 1889.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WEDNESDAY,, 1uae 30, 1859.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
DEATH OF HsNRY CLAY.
The resolutions of the Senate having been
read
Mr. BRECKENRIDGE, of Kentucky, rose
and said Mr. Speaker, | rise to perform the
melancholy duty Of announcing to this body the
death OF Henry Clay, late senator in Congress
from the commonwealth of Kentucky.
Mr. Clay expired at his lodgings in this city
yesterday morning, ut seventeen minutes past
eleveQ o'clock, in We 10th year Of his age. His
nobf5aAi1e$ ~ pSs|dpAed to the last. After
prutracted sufferihgs, he passed away without
psin; and % gSnny did The spirit leave his
frame that the moment of departure was not
observed by the friends who watched at his bed
side. His last hours were cheered by the pres
ence OF an affecti0nate son, and he died sur
rounded BY friends, who during his long illness,
had done all that affection could suggest to
soothe his sufferingr
Although this sad event has been expected
for many weeks, the shock it produced, and the
innumerable tributes of respect TO his memory
exhibited on every side, and in every form, prove
the depth OF the public sorrow and the greatness
of the public loss.
lmperishably associated as his name has been
for fifty years v it'll every great event affecting
the fortunes Of our country, it is difficult to
realize that be Is indeed gone forever. 1t is
difficult to feel that we shall see no more his
noble form within these wals-that we shall
hear no more his patriot tones, now rousing his
countrymen to vindcate their rights against a
foreign foe, now imploring them to preserve
fho "a i'm
no more. The memory and the fruits Of his
services alone remain to US. Amidst the gene
raj gloom, the Capitol itself looks desolate, as
ifthe genius of the place had departed. Already
the intelligence has reached almost every quarter
of the republic, and great people mourn with
US today the death Of their most iustrious
citizen. Sympathizing as we do deeply with
his family and friends, yet private affection is
absorbed in the general sorrow. The spectacle
of whole community lamenting the loss of a
great man is far more touching than any mani
festation private grief. In speaking Of loss
which is national, will not attempt to describe
the universal burst of grief with which Kentucky
will receive these tidngs. The attempt would
be vain to depc! the gloom that will cover her
people when they know that the pillar Of fire
has been removed which has guided their foot
steps for the life of generation.
1t is known TO the country that from the me.
morable session Of l849-5O, Mr. Clay's health
gradually declined. Although several years of
his senatorial term remained, he did not propose
to continue in the public service longer than
the present session. He came to Washington
chiefly to defend, if it should become necessary,
the measures of adjustment, to the adoption Of
which he SO largely contributed; bnt the con-
dition Of his health did not allow him at any
time to participate in the discussions Of the
Senate. During the winter he was confined
almost wholly to his room, with slight changes
in his condition, but gradually losing the Fem
nant of his strength. During the long and
dreary winter he conversed much and cheerfuy
with his friends, and expressed deep interest
in public affairs. Although he did not expect
restoration to health he cherished the hope that
the mild season Of spring would bring to him
strength enough to return to Ashland, and die
in the bosom Of his family. But, alas spring
that brings life to all Nature, brought no life
nor hope to him. After the month of March
his vital powers rapidly wasted. and for weeks
he lay patiently awaiting the stroke of death
But the approach of the Destroyer had no ter.
rors for him. No clouds oyerhung his future
He met the end with composure, and his path
way to the grave was frightened by the cheer
Not long before his death, having Just re
turned from Kentucky, | bore to him token of
affection from his excellent wife. Never can
forget his appearance, his manner, or his
words. After speaking of his family, his friends,
and his country, he oh nged the conversation to
his own future, and looking on me with his fine
eye undimmed, and his voice full of its original
compass and melody, he said, Il am not afraid
to die, sir have hope, faith, and some conf
dence. do not think any man can be entirely
certain in regard to his future state, but have
an abiding trust in the merits and mediation of
our Saviour" 1t will assuoge the grief of his
family to know that he looked hopefully be.
yond the tomb, and Christian people will re-
joice to hear that such q man, in his last hours,
reposcd with simplicity and confidence on the
promises of the Gospel.
It's the custom, or occasions like this, to speak
of the parentage and childhood of the deceased,
and to follow him step by step through life.
will not attempt to relate even the great events
of Mr.. Clay's life, because they are familiar TO
the whole country, and 1t would be needless TO
enumerate long list of public services which
form part of American history.
Beginning life as friendless boy, with few
advantages save those conferred by Nature, while
yet minor he left Virginia, the State of his
birth, and commenced the practice Of law at
Lexington, in Kentucky At a bar remarkable
for its numbers and talent, Mr.. Clay soon rose
to the first rank. At very early age he was
elected from the county of Fayette to the gen.
eral assembly of Kentucky, and was the speaker
of that body. Coming into the Senate Of tho
United States for the first time in 1906, he en-
tered upon parliamentary career the most bril-
liant and successful in our annals. From that
time he remained habitua!ly in the public eye,
as Senator, as a member of this House and
its Speaker, as representative of this country
abroad, and as high officer in the Executive
Department of the government, he was imme
diately connected for fifty years with every
great measure of American policy. OF the
mere party measures of this period / do not
propose to speak Many Of them have passed
away, and are remembered only as the occasion
for the great intellectual efforts which marked
their discussion. Concerning others, opinions
are still divided. They will 60 into history,
with the reasons on either side rendered by the
GREATEST intellects of the time