Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1852-10-20
"REMINISCENCES OF HENRY CLAY.

"reminiscences of Mr.. Clay we extract the fol
lowing:
Now, mark nv relations to Mr.. Clay--an(
mark too the course which he pursued at thi
fearful crisis. Remember, that | had opposed
for so many years his earnest aspirations. Re
member that no press in this country had Sc
pernaciously thwarted his election to the Presi
dency as the Richmond Enquirer. Mark, tha
our intercourse had been suspended for years
and that he must have come to Washington, with
unkind and even embittered feelings towards
me. More than eight weeks had passed. al
Washington; and | had not said syllable t
propitiate the popular and highly distinguishe,
man. On the contrary, when he came forI1z
to present his resolutions for compromise, -
ed as they were by one of his memorable
speeches, the "Union" criticised them freely
and placed him in the ungracious position, that
he had brought forward scheme which was nc
available compromise-an olive branch which
did not deserve the name-and, putting him
aside, that 1--WE must now look to clearer, and
more generous, and more intrepid spirits to save
the Union from the horrors which he so eloquent
ly predicted" Now, mark the beauty of his
conduct. See what magnanimity he could ex-
hibit-and how completely his love of country
could override his private griefs and his party
feelings. The very morning after the proceed
ing article appeared in the "Union," Mr.. CLAY
transmitted the message which is related in the
following narrative:
NEw-YoRK, July 10, 1852
Thomas Richie, E$9,-Dear Sir: BY some
accident your esteemed favor of the 30th ult.,
did not reach me until to-day.
In cheerful compliance with your request,
proceed to give brief statement of circumstan-
ces within my knowledge, previous and relating
to the interview with the lamented Henry CLAY,
to which you refer.
You will remember that during the eventful
congressional session of l849-50-in which the
compromise measures were passed. was con-
nected with the official corps of reporters for
the L. S. Senate. In fulfilling my professional
duties it was my privilege to spend many hours
in the rooms of the distinguished statesman
whose loss the nation has been so recently called
to mourn.
Early in the month of February, 1850, Mr.
Clav expressed his profound regret that YOU
misunderstood his position on the agitating ques-
ton then under discussion, and had deemed it
your duty to assail what you understood to be
his views in the columns of the Union. Salts
fed that free conference with you would Gre
ate better understanding and secure your aid
and cooperation in the ratification by Congress
of his series of resolutions on the subject of ag-
itation, he intimated the wish that | should
bring about a confidential Interview with you.
| shall never forget Mr.. Clay's look and man.
ner when the probability suggested itself to his
mind that his motives for seeking an interview
which he had been so long and decidedly oppo-
sed, might be misapprehended. His proud
spirit shrunk from the suspicion that he sought
indemnity against assault upon his own acts or
fame, on his own behalf.
But, he said, the work in which he was enga-
ged was far above and beyond all personal or
party considerations, and he could not hesitate.
He remarked: "Mr. Ritchie has abused me In
his paper which he had the right to do. He
NAV abuse me again; which he has the right to
do. But the country is in danger; the Union ls
threatened. | wish to see Mr.. Ritchie, that we
NAV confer together on the best means of saw
ing this glorious Union. For myself, | care
So far as Mr. Ritchie doubts my mo-
tives and condemns acts springing from source
he mistrusts, / have nothing 10 say. But, for
the sake of our common csuntry, would con-
vince him of the necessity for some decided,
united action, to save the country, and
agree with him upon the means best calculated
to secure that result. think can show him
the plan propose is worthy of his support, and
that would have him aid me instead OF con-
tracing my aimes. When these threatning diff
cuIties are disposed of, let Mr. Richie judge
and speak freely, as he thinks appropriate, OF my
Door self: ! shall not complain. Now, however,
/ would have a brief lull in the storm, that our
bark NAV be trimmed for the gale. That ac-
complisked, | care nothing for what follows
The date of this communication will show, if
mistake not, that the plan of several distinct,
vet united measures, as compromise" had
not at that time been promulgated or formed.
| called upon you and stated Mr.. Clay wish
es repeating as literally as could his most i'm
portant words, then fresh upon my memory. |
need not say that you met his proposition with
frankness and cordality. You said Mr. Clay
had acted as became him, and that you would
yourself have done the same thing by him if you
had supposed the country had approached so
very near to the abyss as he apprehended; that
YOU were indeed awfully impressed with the
crisis which was at hand; that every considerate
man must admit that the Union was in danger;
and unless some measures we adopted to save
it, in imminent danger-and that you would
most cheerfully meet Mr.. Clay at any time and
place he7SouId appoint-most respectfully ap-
preciating the patriotic motives by which he
was actuated. Nor do / forget that this decis-
ion on your part was not made without a due
sense of Mr.. Clays colloquial powers. You
freely admitted his great tact in discussion; but
said at the same time, with a smile, that you had
your own Opinions on the subject, and had free
ly expressed them; but whatever might be Mr..
Clays powers, he would not expect you to yield
them until your judgment was convinced; you
would, therefore, meet him for the purpose OF
free, frank and friendly conference. You sug-
eested an interview at Mr.. C.'s rooms at the Ma
tional Hotel.
/ addressed Mr., Clay in writing, informing
him of the result Of my mission. The following
is copy Of the reply, the original of which is
still in my possession.
"Dear Sir thank you for your prompt exc
cution of the commission which | contided to
you. will see Mr.. R. with great pleasure at my
lodgings on Sunday next, between the hours OF
and 3, as suggested. Or, if, on further re-
fection, he should prefer it, win attend Mr.
Pynes Church on Sunday next, and immediate
ly after the conclusion of Divine service, will
go to Mr.. RS private residence.
If the latter arrangements should be prefer
red, be pleased to inform me. Otherwise,
shall expect Mr.. Z. at my lodgings.
"With great regard, h. CLAY.
"Mr j. W. Simonton.
rs Chamber, 9Th February, 1850"
| called upon you the same evening, ana
showed you the foregoing note. You stated at
once that it would never do for Mr.. Clay to pass
from DR.. Pyne's church to your own house, that