The southern press., 1852-07-01
Death OF Henry CLAY.

On yesterday morning between eleven ana
twelve o'clock, the long-protracted illness or
HENRY CLAY terminated in death. The event
had been for several months expected, but Its
announcement fell on the people of this city, az
IL must on those of the whole Union, with gen
eral gloom and sadness. The solemn toll OF
the bell, the silent and simultaneous appearance
of mourning drapery on the houses, the closing
of stores--all were in consonance with the ex'
preston worn by every countenance. The two
Houses of Congress assembled and at once ad
journed. The Departments were closed.
The day itself was overcast with clouds, and
drops of rain fell heavily, as his spirit past.
HENRY CLAY belonged to the second gener-
alton of men to whom the destiny of the Union
was committed. He was born in l776--a few
months after the Declaration of Independence.
And whilst, of all his generation, many believe
him 10 have been the first in genius, ability and
patriotism all will admit that he belonged to
the very foremost of the very first.
AS an orator, he had no equal among his con-
temporaries. AS statesman, he assumed in
early life commanding position, and not only
maintained, but advanced it to the last His
genius and fortitude did more to found, sustain
and stimulate the great party of which he was
leader, than those of any other man.
But HENRY CLAY was more than an orator
and statesman. He was man of wonderful
greatness, symmetry and versatility. Not only
in Congress, in House and Senate-not only in
the cabinet at home or in diplomacy abroad, bnt
in society, in parlors, in parties, with men or
with women, in conversation, in manners his
superiority was alike evident. He was always
selfpossessed, prompt, brilliant, available, pow.
erful, pleasing and agreeable. Wherever he APP
peared-in conversation, as a speaker before the
people, in the House of Representatives, in the
Senate, as a minister abroad as Secretary of
State-he excelled. And when we consider that
he acquired all these accomplishments with
out the aid of birth, of wealth, or of education,
we shall only be able to do the more justice to|
the intrinsic greatness of the man.
Mr.. CLAWS highest qualities were self-pos.
session and energy, perspcuity Cfthought, great
discrimination and remarkable combination oil
the faculties of persuadng and controlling men,
There may be some dispute as to the depth of
his reason, or the elevation of his views There
can be none whatever as to the fact that in pol
icy he was more profound, and in principle more
exalted, than his age and country. And if bel
did not attain the highest official station that his
country could confer, it was not because he was
not uraat anonuh hui ba.on.o 10 -, a. . ,.-a..
This is very obvious when we consider that bis
own party preferred HARRISON and TAYLOR
successfully to him. and that his last hours were
disturbed by the huzzas and bonfres of crowd
that met 10 reJUIce Ors.----- - ~ z, on
1850. -. OALHOUH-once assured us that he
could trust more in the honor Of Mr. CLAY, in
all political engagements, than in almost any
other public man. And as we have enjoyed the
pleasure Of Mr.. CLAWS conversation by the ho1S,,
we take pleasure in bearing testimony 10 the
elevated sentiments that he uniformly expressed
Il snow but little more than two short years
since Mr.. CALHOUN, the great rival Of Mr. CLAY,
descended TO the tomb. They were rivals iu
greatness and rivals in system. How much like
PTrT and Fox-although we believe the Amer.
can were greater than the British statesmen
But We avail ourselves Of the occasion to insist
with the great Scottish bard on depressing the
sentiment of partzan hostility, which has arisen
in the struggle. Ofthe American as Of the British
orators, it might be said
With more than mortal powers endowed,
How high they soar'd above the crowd
Theirs was no common party race
Jostling by dark intrigue for place,
Like tabled gods, their mighty war,
Shook realms and nations IN us jar"
For the struggle Of intellect and Of system be
tween CLAY and CALHoUs shook and viii con.
tinue TO shake the States Of this continent, ne
that Of PrTT and Fox did those Of the old.
Nay, The struggles Of the two rival systems
began before, and will continue long after Pm
and Fox, CLAY and CALHoUN. 1t is the strug.
gle between the principle Of universal equality
which Fox and CLAY supported, and that OF
moral, and hence ospolitical and legal subordi
nation, which PrTI. and CALHoUS maintained
PrTT and CALHOUN were both defeated in their
policy, and both sunk 10 the grave in the darkest
hours Of the strugge-but the spirits Of 10th
remain 10 preside over the conflict until vic
tory /. Gn.tlv won