The southern press., 1852-07-03

lifan nctl0n IN those profound limos oil the poet:
~ He who ascends the mountain top shall find
Its lohiest 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"
COlumny and detraction emptied 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--first of his countrymen,
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 n friend of
their elevation and amelioration. Such ambi
ton IA that, is Gods implantation in the hum an
heart for raising the down-trodden nations of
the earth, and fitting them for regenerated ex-
istence in politics, in morals, and religion
Bold and determined as Mr.. Clay was in all
his actions, he was, nevertheless, conciliating.
He did not obstinately adhere to things imprac.
ticable. If he could not accomplish the BEST
he contented himself with the highest approach
to it. He has been the great compromiser OF
those political agtations 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. But, alas that
hospitable mansion has already been converted
into house of mourning already has intelli
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 ofliies last scene
by those endearing attentions which no one can
give so well as woman and wife. May God
infuse into her heart and mind the Christian
spirit Of submission under her bereavement II
cannot be long before she may expect reunion
in heaven. A 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
sufferings 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 was ready to die, he did not perceive
the wisdom of praying to be delivered from
sudden death" He thought under such circum-
stances the sooner suffering was relieved by
death the better He desired the termination of
his own sufferings, 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.
luton approached, he found his affections were
concentrating more and more upon his domestic
circle-his wife and children. Ia my daily visits
he was in the habit of asking me to detail to him
the transactions of the Senate. This did, and
he manifested much interest in passing occur.
| rences. His inquiries were less frequent AZ his
end approached For the week preceding his
death, he seemed TO be altogether abstracted
! 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. Ills memory remained perfect. lie
i frequently mentioned events and conversations
| Of recent occurrence, showing that he had a
| perfect recollection Of what was said and dore
| lie said TO me that he was grateful TO God for
continuing 10 him the blessing Of reason which
enabled him 10 contemplate and reflect on his
situation. He manifested during bis confne.
ment the same characteristics which marked his
conduct through the yigOr Of his life. lie wns
exceedingly averse to give his friends trouble,
as he called IL. Some time before he knew IT,
J we commenced waiting through the night in an
adjoining room. lie raid 10 me after passing n
painful day, perhaps some one had better re.
main all night in the parlor" From this time
he knew some friend was constantly at hand
ready 20 attend TO him.
Mr. President, the majestic form Of Mr.. CLAW
will no more, grace these halls. No more shall
we hear that voice which has so often thrilled
and charmed the assembled representatives ri
the American people. No more shall VIC see
|
was engaged unfolding his policy in regard "a
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. Bot the memory of hi
sorvices-not only 10 his beloved Kentucky, moi
i only 10 the United Ststcs, but for the cause Of
human freedom and progress throughout the
world--will live through future ages, as bright
example, stimulating and encouraging bis own
countrymcn and the people Of all nations in
their patriotic deyotions TO country and hu.
manity.
With Christians, there is yet nobler and .
higher thought in regard 70 Mr.. Clay. They
will think Of him In connection with eternity
They will contemplate his IMMORTAL spirit occu.
pying its true relative magnitude ansng the
moral stars Of glory in the presence Of God
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
| yeachpd an pverlastino and hapnv bor,o 4, ,b,,