New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-07-29
OFFICIAL JOURNAL
THURSDAY MORNING, July 30. 1852
New Orleans Clay Monumental Assooia-

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We are requested to give publicity to an idea
which prevails very generally in this conluuni-
ty, and which only requires an opportunity to
find full and substantial expression. 1T is a
noble, lofty, d patriotic idea, one borrowing
inspiration from sacred admiration Of genius
and finding the truest and holest Of echoes in
every American heart. 3,4ss' II
+ tits this: A great and noble patriot has but
recently been taken from us, and, ceasing to
labor, he has yet left his mark, broad and deep,
upon the American history of the last half of a
century, Of that history he was q great part
"a fun compendium--a splendid embodiment.
American genius, American enterprise, Ameri-
can necessities, found in him true representa-
tive-a man who dared speak what faith was in
him, who fearlesslys g blazed 81 his pathin the as
yet almost unbroken wilderness of American
politics, who, with the boldness of a. Richard
Coeur de Leon, the 'chivalry Of q Bayard and
the unselfish patriotism of u Washington,
stood brayely up between contending Sec
Istiops, spoke, TO them the words Of truth and
wisdom, and by persuasive eloquence pre-
served and cemented what Washington won
Iinto existence by wisdom and the sword. His
whole life showed him the truest type of the
Amerie an-quick, fearless, wary, generous and
| impul5iy6. He never faltered before and he
never trampled upon a foe. He had the soul of
| a lion, and withal there was than his no kindlier
or more forgiying heart. He spnke like politi-
cRlsapostle, full of faith and inspiration, and
yethe calmly heard reason and wisely compro-
missed results He would g rather be right than
be Presidents and yet his soul wassall on fire
with the kindlingo Of the most honorable ambi-
bition. Emerging from the wildwoods of the
West, he was an able and unsurpassed negotia-
tor at Client, a superior Speaker of the House
Of Representatives, u splendid Secretary Of
STATE and a magnificent Senator of tile Union
Always, he was the patriot and the statssmau---
always he. was Henry Clay, making his life u
model for Imitation, his name watehword Of
political struggle, his memory thing of national
religion, and his fame o monnmentin American
history So it stands, and so it will sta,ld--tiat
magnificent national memory through all COM
ing ages, massive and mperishable. If the statue
of tho Roman was curiously sought, from the
very fact that he was absent, it can not be so,
in the future, with Henry Clay. His live is
American history, and the record Of che last
half of n century must enshrine him as in a
Pantheon Of fame. .,-. 10y
/ Political selfishness can write no epitaph IF
hatred upon the tombstone of the patriot and
statesman Political struggle can seek no con-
test with the illustrious dead. Political preju-
dice or passion cannot derace or soil national
memory. All men of all parties will unite in
lionoring the greet dead, and when it is propos-
ed to erect in New Orleans monumental statue
to Henry Clay, whig and democrat, native born
and naturalaed, will eagerly hasten, as the
Druidical cairn was piled up, to place stone upon
stone, until the raised monument shall tipify,
however feebly, the holiness of departed great
ness and the solidity of undying fame,
In this faith. we present to the citizens Of
New Orleans the suggestion of raising to Henry
Clay q monument in one of our public squares
The outlines of the project are the formation of
an association, the payment Of an initiation fee
and of so much every month, the employment of
an American sculptor to carve colossal statue
of the great American. The chief portion of
the contributions TO be given towards the sculp.
turing of the statue, and some such artist as
Powers to be called into requisition We are
advised that, to carry these views into execu-
ton, public meeting will be called at an early
day, -
. New Orleans, We are confident, will not fall
behind her sister cities Of the Union, who are
preparing to pay similar mark of honor to the
memory Of the great old statesman, dead. Hen
ry Clay was, mot only distinguished statesman
and a large hearted patriot, hut he was . warm
and fast friend ofthe city of NewOrleans; and
tho record of our gratitude should be solidly
made in u testimonial rs enduring as marble or
granite.
A marble Statue is recorded history, when
raised by grateful and aiectionate people. 1t
is symbol of the power which worked to great
ends, q type Of the patriotism which won and
held national gratitude and historic fame. The
statue Of Henry Clay in one of our public
squares will be sculptured history to all who
look upon it--a sacred memory to the present
generation, and beautiful and patriotic sug-
geston to all who may come after the contem-
poraries of to-day have passed away into the
silent cities of the dead.
MS usual.
Mrssa,rR's BaSp-This iine band (hp head-q quarters
at Pieeide last night gave very beautiful serenade,
Thanks, gentlemen for your fine music and kind feeling
Cool AND eAvriorss-We have bud on hand some time
very COED joke democratic friend aud editorial