The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-02


Z" He who ascends the mountain top shall find
It's loftiest peaks most wrapt in clouds and
snow;
He who surpasses or subdues mankind
Must look down on the hate Of those below
Though far above the sun of glory glow
And far beneath the earth and ocean spread,
Round him are icy rocks, and loudly blow
Contending tempests ON his naked head
And thus reward the tolls which To those
submits led"
Calumny and detraction empted their walls
upon him. But how glorious the change! He
out-liyed malice and envy. He lived long enough
to prove to the world that his ambition was no
more than holy aspiration to make his country
the greatest, most powerful, and best governed
on the earth. Ii he desired its highest office, it
was because the greater power and influence
resulting from such elevation would enable him
to do more than he otherwise could for the pro.
gress and advancement-tirst Of his countrymep.
then OF his whole race. His sympathies en-
braced all. The African slave, the Creole of
Spanish America, the children Of renovated
classic Greece--all families Of men, without re-
spect to color or cline, found in his expanded
bosom and comprehensive intellect friend of
their elevation and amelioration. Such amb-
ton as that, is Gods implantation in the human
heart for raising the down-trodden nations of
the earth, and fitting them for regenerated ex-
lstence in politics, in morals, and religion
Bold and determined as Mr.. Clay was in all
his actions, he was, nevertheless, conciiating
He did not obstinately adhere to things imprac
ticable. Ii he could not accomplish the best,
he contented himself with the highest approach
to it. He has been the great compromser of
those political agitations and opposing opinions
which have, in the belief of thousands at differ
ent times, endangered the perpetuity of our fed
| eral government and Union.
Mr. Clay was no less remarkable for his ad-
mirable social qualities than for his intellectual
abilities. AS a companion, he was the delight
OF his friends; and no man ever had better or
truer. They have loved him from the begin
ming, and loved him to the last. His hospitable
mansion at Ashland was always open to their
reception. No guest ever thence departed with
out feeling happier for his visit. Bat, alas that
'hospitable mansion has already been converted
into house OF mourning T; already has intell-
gence of his death passed with electric velocity
} to that aged and now widowed lady who, for
more than fifty years, bore to him all the en-
dearing relations of wife, and whose feeble con-
dition prevented her from Joining him in this
city, and soothing the anguish flies last scene
J by those endearng attentions which no one can
give 30 well as woman and wife. May God
infuse into her heart and mind the Christian
spirit of submission under her bereavement 1t
cannot be long before she may expect reunion
in heaven. nation condoles with her and her
children on account Of their irreparable loss
/ Mr.. Clay, from the nature of his disease, de-
clined very gradually. He bore his protracted
. suferings with great equanimity and patience
On one occasion he said to me that when death
was inevitable and must soon come, and when
the sufferer ready to die, he did not perceive
the wisdom of praying to be delivered from
sudden DEATH" He thought under such crcum-
stances the sooner suffering was relieved by
J death the better. He desired the termination Of
! his own slffierngs, while he acknowledged the
duty of patiently waiting and abiding the plea
sure of God. Mr.. Clay frequently spoke to me
} of his hope of eternal life, founded upon the
merits of Jesus Christ as a saviour; who, as he
remarked, came into the world to bring " life
and immortality to light" He was member
of the Episcopalian Church. In one of our con-
versations he told me, that as his hour of disso-
lltion approached, he found his affections were
, concentrating more and more upon his domestic
crce--his wife and children. In my daily visits
he was in the habit of asking me to detail to him
Q the transactions of the Senate This did, and
Q he manifested much interest in passing occur
, rences. His inquiries were less frequent as bis
r end approached. For the week preceding his
, death, he seemed to be altogether nbstracted
from the concerns Of the world. When he be-
came so low that he could not converse without
being fatigued he frequently requested those
, around him to converse. He would then quietly
listen. He retained his mental faculties in great
perfection. His memory remained perfect He
E frequently mentioned events and conversations
, of recent occurrence, showing that he had a
! perfect recollection of what was said and dore.
He said to me that he was grateful to God for
continuing to him the blessing of reason which
j enabled him to contemplate and reflect on his
situation. lie manifested during his confne.
ment the same characteristics which marked his
conduct through the vigor of his life He was
exceedingly averse to give his friends trouble,
! as he called it. Some time before he knew it,
, we commenced waiting through the night in an
f adjoining room He raid to me after passing a
painful day. "perhaps some one had better re-
f main all night in the paror." From this time
| he knew some friend was constantly at hand
ready to attend to him.
Mr.. President, the majestic form of Mr.. Clay
will no more grace these halls. No more shall
we hear that voice which has 80 often thrilled
and charmed the assembled representatives of
!, the American people. No more shall we see
| that waving hand and eye of light, as when he
was engaged unfolding his policy in regard to
the varied interests of our growing and mighty
republican empire. His voice is silent on earth
forever. The darkness of death has obscured
the lustre of his eye. But the memory of his
services--not only to his beloved Kentucky, not
: only to the United States, but for the cause of
human freedom and progress throughout the
world-will live through future ages, as bright
example, stimulating and encouraging his own
countrymen and the people of all nations in
, their patriotic devotlons to country and hu-
mainly.
4 With Christians, there is yet nobler and a
? higher thought in regard to Mr.. Clay. They
will think of him in connection with eternity.
!, They will contemplate his immortal spirit occu-
plying its true relative magnitude among the
moral stars of glory in the presence of God
4 They will think of him as having fulfilled the
duties allotted to him on earth, having been re
generated by Divine grace, and having passed
through the valley of the shadow of death, and
reached an everlasting and happy home in that
'lstl L..