Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-07-15

tralltyi and indicating II by war agalns
| Great Britain, when that Just but extrem,
measure became necessary adjusting the
terms on which that perilous, yet honorable
contest was brought TO a peaceful close
periccting the army and the navy, and ma
t;ona Qualifications settling the fiscal anc
financial policy of the government in more
than one crisis of apparently threatened rev.
oution asserting aud calling into exercise
the powers of the government for making
and improving internal communications
between the States aronsing and encourg-
ing the Spanish American Colonies on this
continent TO throw off the foreign yoke, aud
TO organize Governments on principles con-
genial to orr own, and thus creating exter-
nal bulwarks for our own national defence
establishing equal and impartial peace and
amity with all existing maritime Powers
and extending the constitutional organlza-
ton of Government over the vast regions,
all secured in his lifetime by purchase or
by conquest, whereby the pillars Of the Re
public have been removed from the banks
of the St. Mafy's TO the borders of the Rio
GTande, and from the margin Of the Missis-
sippi to the Pacific coast. We may not
yet discuss the wisdom of the several meas
ores which have thus passed in review be-
fore Us, nor of the positions which the de-
ceased statesman assumed in regard to them,
but we may without offence dwell on the
comprehensive results Of them all.
The Union exists in absolute integrity
and the Republic in complete aud triumph
ant deyelopement Without having telln-
pushed any part Of their individuality, the
States have more than doubled already, aud
are increasing in numbers aud growing IN
political strength and expansion more rap
idly than ever before Without having alb
sorbed any State, or having even encroach-
ed on any State, the Confederation has
opened itself SO as TO embrace all the new
members who have come, and nov with CD
paclty for further and indefinite enlarge
ment, has become fixed, enduring aud per-
pelua. Although it was doubted only half
a centuary ago whether our political sys-
TEN could be maintained at all, and wheth-
er, If maintained, it could guarantee the
peace aud happiness OF society, 1t stands
now confessed by the world the form Of
Government not only most adapted to en-
pure, but also most congenial with the con-
stitution Of human nature.
When we consider that the Nation has
been conducted to this haven, not only
through stormy seas, but altogether, also,
without a course and without star and
when we consider, moreover, the sum Of
happiness that has already been enjoyed by
the American people, and s,ill more the iu-
fuence which the great achievement Is eX-
ertIng on the Advancement and meiorailon
of the condition Of mankind, we see at once
that 1t might have satisfied the highest sm-
bitiuu to have been, no matter how humbly
concerned in so great transaction.
Certainly, sir, no one will assert that
Henry CLAY in that transaction performed
an obscure or even common part On
the contrary, from the day on which he en-
tered the public service until that on which
he passed the gates Of death, he was never
a follower, but always leader aud he
marshalled either the party which sustained
or that which resisted every great measure,
equally in the Senate and among the peo-
pie. Aud he led where duty seemed to him
to indicate, reckless whether he encounter
ed one Presden; or twenty Presidents,
whether he was opposed by factions or even
by the whole People. Hence it has hap
pened, that although the people are not yet
agreed among themselves on the wisdom of
all or perhaps even any of hs great meas
ures, yet they are nevertheless unanimous
in acknowledging that he was at once the
greatest, the most faithful and the most re-
liable of their statesmen. Here the effort
at discriminating praise oil HENRY CLAY in
regard to his public policy must stop, even
on this sad occasion, which awakens the ar
dent lberality of his generous survivors.
But his personal qualities may be discus
sed without apprehension. What were the
elements of the success of that extraordina.
ry man You, sir, knew him longer and
better than /, and | would prefer to hear
you speak of them. He was indeed elo-
quent--all the world knows that. He held
the keys to the hearts of his countrymen
and he turned the wards within them, with
skill attained by no other master
But eloquence was nevertheless only ar
instrument, and one of many that he used
His conversation, his gestures, his very
look, was magesterial, persuasive, seductive
irresistible. Aud his appliance Of all these
was courteous, patient, and inde;aligable
Defeat only inspired him with new resolu
hiRi' iiN 1PPbolAi'h ~ MS "ooiHhA
ty Of address, while he rallied and strength
ened his own bands of supporters by the
confidence of success which, feeling him
self he easily inspired among his followers
His affections were high, aud pure and gen
erous, and the chielest among them was tina
one which the great Italian poet designated
as the charity of native land And in hin
that charity was an enduring and oyerpow
ering enthusiasm, and it influenced all hi
sentiments and conduct, rendering hin
more impartial between conflicting interests
and sections than any other statesman who
has lived since the Revolution. Thus with
great versatility of talent and the mos
catholic equality of favor he identified eve
ny question, whether of domestic admins
tratlon or of foreign policy, with his owl
great name, and so became a perpetua
Tribune of the People. He needed only t.
pronounce in favor of measure or agaius
it, here, and Immediately popular enihusi
asm, excited as by a magic wand, was felt
overcoming all opposition IN the Senate
| Chamber.
In this way he rrought change in on
political system that | think was not for
seen by its founders. He converted th
! branch of the Legislature from a negatiy,