New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-07-21

v.
Nor we're his efforts in behalf OF human freedom
limited by bis country's bounds.
HWbsro Greece unsbeathed her olden blade
For glory In the haunted shade
Where Chimborsz stands sublime
Alandnark by the sea Of rfne,
His anne shall as blessing given
For man. Oh never 20 depart,
Peal from the gladdeDed earth 10 heaven
The warm, wild music Of the heart
HENRY CLAY is no more The vital fire is ex-
tinguished. the music of his voice Is hushed' lie
has passed the fetal stIeam never 10 DC repasSed
ny mortal. Cold and silent he sleeps the sleep
That knows no waking.
ReveIently we acknowledge this dlspensstion
of Divine Providence, and as we bend with solemn
awe we feel within Us that inspiration waicn
teaches us there is immortality beyond tue
grave. In this assurance we are cOmtorted with
the reflection that he died in Christian faith and
with Christian hope, and Involuntary exclaim
within ourselves "may our last end be like his
Dir. CLAY. in his brief review Of the character
of Chancellor Wythe, has furnished the key to his
own career. Up to the time of his connection
with this illustrious man, we know him only as
the bOy, an epitOme of whose previous life was
so graphically given by Mr.. Robert Hughes, at
Campbell Court House, Virginia He and
were born close TO the slashes Of old Hanover.
II lie worked barefooted, and so did |. He went to
mill, and so did |. He was good to his mamma, and
so was l." His acquaintance with this venerable
man opened a new field to his view. Before hun
was that broad extent Of legal study, which, 10
those times especially, served to appal the faint
hearted explorer, while it infused energy and
yigor into the ardent and determined mind. Few
were the opportunities afforded to the young men
of that day. The Republic was yeti its infancy.
The shock Of the Revolution had left behind its
ravages, and the country was slowly recovering
from the effect of the mighty throes which had
ciyen birth to free and Independent nation. Pub
lie libraries were comparatively unknown, and the
student was left to depend mainly upon his own
efforts aided by the private Libraries and nstruc-
ton ofhis teacher. The common law OF England,
previously recognised az the law of the Colonies,
wac undergoing process of modification adapted
to the changed relations OF the countries and the
peculiar character of our Government. lnterna-
tonal law WAS more especially the subject OF close
and searching investigation. The French RevO-
luton, with its results upon the peace Of Europe,
the clashing of hostile commercial interests; the
claims of belligerent powers OF the one side, aud
the rights OF neutrals on the other were topics OF
discussion among the statesmen of both worlds.
ID was under these circumstances that the at
tenton of Chancellor Wythe was called to the
humble boy. who was then commencing career
destined to become so glorious. lie saw the germ
of that intellect which in its development was
alterward to sway the minds OF Jurles, 10 charm
ana convince uStenAG CeudlcS, W diou0T HiOhC
enthusiasm, to direct the course of legislation and
to control the energies of mighty people. The
Chancellor and the boy became friends Thsyouth
has left the impression of his matured greatness
upon the records of his countrys history, and tbs
character of the patron has been well portrayed
i'm the touching testimonial of Mr.. CLAY himself
in his letter to a friend.
Shortly after Mr.. CLAY's admission TO the bar,
in 1877, he removed to Kentucky, and at once as
sumed a high position at the Bar of his adopted
State. At this period of his life, he was remark
able for a fearless independence, undaunted cOur-
age keen sarcasm and brilliant rhetoric, which,
united to tall and graceful person, an eye that
never Qualed, and voice who.e tones now ring
inglike the trumpet and again pleading with tine
soitness of a woman; inundated the turbulent,
commanded the respect of his cOmpeers and capt.
waited the rude spirits of his hoarers.-TRese at
tributes continued to his death.
The soil itself was coDgenial to his mind. The
native forests were yet unsubdued. Here and
theres clearing settlement and community In
dicated the inroads of civilization upon the last
nesses Of the savage. The Indian still claimed
his birthright and the tales of savage warfare and
the horrors of border life chronicled in the ira
ditions which designate the State as the " dark
and bloody ground" Amid scenes like these,
slooffrom the Injuries Of polished life surrounded
bv prmeyal forests, where nature alone regned
supreme, the future statesman and legislator was
trained and matured. They furnished nutriment
to his fancy, vigOr to his mind, and above all en-
couraged and streng thened that selireliant spirit
which in after years sustained him amid the tur'
mol Of politics. the struggles of factions, the as
sauts of calumny the encounters OF political de-
bate and the forensic disputations OF the Bar.
Three fsurths Of q century have passed since
that memorable declaration which declared TO the
world our emancipation from colonial thraldom,
and demanded our separation from our British
ILL IA fhp M
kind, enemies IN war, in peace friends Iheyear
succeeding to that which gave birth to the ma
ton. baied the birth of him who was destined 70
leave the impress Of his spirit upon the age ia
the language of a biographer, " born and cradied
in the agonies Of the revolution, HENRY CLAY
seems to have been destined by Providence 70
sympathize with its great principles OF freedom,
and to be the leading champion Of human rights
for the age in which he has lived"
His career as a legislator commenced IN the
General Assembly Of Kentucky, in lS03, rom
which he was speedily elevated to the Senate OF
the United States in 1906, for the unexplred term
Of Hon. John Adair. In 1909 he was again re-
tnrned 70 the Senate, and in 1911, foregoing the
higher dignity, he became candidate tor the
House of Representatives, and at the Special
Session. Nov. /, 1911, was elected Speaker OF the
House. to which post he was subsequently re.
elected elk times occupying that position IN all
about thirteen years. In 1914 he resigned upon
being appointed one OF Ihe N1lnhiss'oneIs
m negotiate peace with England. In 1925
se became Secretary of State under Mr..
Adams, and in 1881 was returned to the Senate,
where. with brief interval, consequent upon his
retirement in 1912, he continued until
ss death, being period OF nearly fifty years pub
lie service from his first entrance into public life.
II was in these various capacities of legislator,
diplornatist and minister Of State, that Dir. CLAY
developed those views and principles ofpublc pol
icy which have given to him the designation OF
:. The Father of the American System" By this
do not mean that single, Isolated legislative
measure known a. the Tariff, but that great ex-
pansiye system ofpublic policy which, based upon
the law of nature and the rights Of nations, has
commanded the respect Of the world, whs it has
advanced the true prosperity ofthe country. Part
of this system was the enforcement OF our rights
as neutral power, and the protection Of our sea-
men against the arrogant pretensions OF tie mpe-
rioHs selfstyled Mistress OF the Seas.
II is not too much to say that no person oc, u-
nnzfAfou ia top Ori0in nd