Daily American telegraph., 1852-07-01

equal and impartial peace and amity with
al existing maritime Powers and extending
the constitutional organization of Government
over the vast regions all secured in his life
time by purchase or by conquest whereby the
pillars Of the Republic have been removed
from the banks Of the ST. Mary's to the borders
Of the Rio Grande, and from the margin of the
Mississippi to the Pacific coast We may not
yet discuss the wisdom of the several measures
which have thus passed in review before u.s. nor
OF the positions which the deceased statesman
assumed IN regard to them, but we may with
OUT ohence dwell upon the comprehensive re-
suits of them all
| he Union exists in absolute integrity, and
the Republic IN complete and triumphant de-
velopment. Without having relinauished any
part of their individuality, the States have more
than doubled already, and are increasing in
numbers and growing in political strength and
expansion more rapidly than ever before.
Without having absorbed any State, or having
even encroached on any State, the Confedera-
tion has opened itself SO as to embrace all the
new members who have come, and now with
capacity for further and indefinite enlargement
has become fixed, enduring, and perpetual. AL
though it was doubted only half century ago
whether our political system could be main
tanned at all, and whether, if maintained, it
could guaranty the peace and happiness of So
cety it stands now confessed by the world the
form of government not only most adapted to
Empire, 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 con-
slider, moreover the sum Of happiness that has
already been enjoyed by the American People,
and still more the influence which the great
achievement is exerting on the advancement
and meloration of the condition of mankind,
we should see at once that it might have sat-
isfed the highest ambition to have been, no
matter how humbly, concerned in so great a
| transaction.
| Certainly, sir, no one will assert that HEN
RY CLAY in that transaction performed an OBJ
scure or even common part On the contra
ry, from the day on which he entered the pub
lie service until that on which he passed the
gates Of death, he was never follower, but al
ways leader; and he marshalled either the
party which sustained or that which resisted
every great measure, equally in the Senate and
among the people And he led where duty
seemed to him to indicate, reckless whether he
encountered one President or twenty Presi-
dents, whether he was opposed by factions or
even by the whole People. Hence it has hap
pened, that although that People are not yet
| agreed among themselves on the wisdom of all
| or perhaps of even any of his great measures,
yet they are nevertheless unanimous in ac-
knowledging that he was at once the greatest,
the most faithful, and the most reliable of their
statesmen. Here the effort at discriminating
praise of HENRY CLAY in regard to his public
policy must stop, even on this sad occasion,
which awakens the (ardent liberality. of his
generous survivors
i But his personal qualities may be discussed
without apprehension. What were the ele-
ments of the success of that extraordinary man
\ You, sir, knew him longer and better than /,
and would prefer to hear you speak of them
| He was indeed eloquent-all the world knows
that. He held the keys to the hearts of his
countrymen, and he turned the wards within
| them with a skill attained by no other man.
| But eloquence was nevertheless only an in
strument and one of many that he used His
conversation his gestures his very look, was
| persuasive seductive, irresistible. And his ap-
pliance of all these was courteous, patient and
| indefatgable Defeat only inspired him with
new resolution He divided opposition by his
assiduity of address, while he rallied and
strengthened his own bands Of supporters by
the confidence Of success which, feeling him
SELF he easily inspired among his followers.
His affections were high, and pure, and gener-
GUS and the chefest among them was that one
which the great Italian poet designated as the
charity of native land And in him that charity
was an enduring and overpowering enthusiasm,
and it influenced all his sentiments and con-
duct, rendering him more impartial between
conflicting interests and sections than any
other statesman who has lived since the Rev
| oution Thus with great versatility of talent
and the most catholic equality of favor he iden-
tilted every question, whether of domestic ad-
ministration or foreign policy, with his own
! great name and so became a perpetual Tri-
| Bune of the People. He needed only to pro-
| nounce in favor of measure or against it, here,
and Immediately popular enthusiasm, excited
as by magic wand, was felt, overcoming all
opposition in the Senate Chamber
In this way he wrought change in our po-
litical system that ] think was not foreseen by
its founders He converted this branch of the
Legislature from a negative position, or one Of
equilibrium between the Executive and the
House Of Representatives, into the active ruling
power of the Republic. Only time can disclose
whether this great innovation shall be benef-
cent, or even permanent
Certainly, sir the great lights of the Senate
have set The observation is not less palpable
to the country than to us, who are left to grope
our uncertain way here, as in labyrinth, OPP
pressed with selfdistrust. The time, too, pre-
sents new cmbarrassments. We are rising to
another and more sublime stage OF national
progress-that of expanding wealth and rapid
territorial aggrandizement Our institutions
throw broad shadow across the st. Lawrence,
and stretching beyond the valley OF Mexico,
even to the plains OF Central America while
the Sandwich Islands and the shores of China
recognise lit renovatiug influence. Wherever
that influence is felt a desire for protection
L. ~ 900 ins titutiops is awokeped Exnans;on