The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-02

u
daughter of devoted friend Of forty years' stand
ing made him constant visitor at my house, and
frequently guest at my table. These circuIn-
stances make 1t proper that, upon this occasion,
should pay this last tribute to his memory. j not
only knew him well statesman, but knew
him better in the most unreserved social inter-
course. The most happy circumstance, as ! es-
TEEN il, of my political life has been that have
thus known each OF our great Congressional tri-
umvir.
/, sir, never knew a man of higher qualities than
MIR. CLAY. His very faults originated in high
qualities. With greater self possession, with
greater sefreliance than any man ever knew, he
possessed moral and physical courage to as high
degree as any man who ever lived. Confident in
his own judgment, never doubling as To his own
course, fearing no obstacle that might lie in his
way, it was almost impossible that he should not
have been imperious in his character. Never
doubling himself as to what be thought duty and
patriotism required at bis hands, it was natural that
he should sometimes have been impatient with
thoee more doubling and umid than himself. His
were qualities to have made great general. as
they were qualities that did mike him great
statesman. and these qualities obvious that,
during the darkest period of our late war with
Great Britain, Mr.. Madis had determined, at
one time, to make him General in Chief Of the
American army.
Sir, it 10 but short time since the AmGriC,u
Congress buried the first that went TO the grave
of that great triumvirate We are now called
upon to bury another. The third, thank God
still lives, and long may he live, to enghten his
ample of exalted patriotism. Sir, in the lives and
characters Of these great men there is much re
sembng those OF the great triumvrate OF the
Britt b Parliament 1t differs principally in this:
Burke preceded Fox and Pitt to the tosfb Web
ster survives Clay and Calhoun. When Fox aud
Pitt died, they left no peer behind them. web
ster still lives, now that Calhoun and Clay
arr dead, the unrvalled statesman of his country.
Like Fox and Pitt, Clay and Calhoun lived in
troubled times. Like Fox and Pitt, they were each
of them the leader Of rival parties. Like Fox and
Pitt, they were idolzed by their respective friends
Like Fox and Pitt, they died about the same time,
and in the public service; and, as has been said of
Fox and Pitt, Clay and Calhoun died with "their
harness upon them" Like Fox and Pitt
With more than mortal powers endowed,
How high they scared above the crowd;
Theirs was no common party race,
Jostiing by dark intrigue for place
Like tabled GODS their mighty
Shook realms and nations in its jar.
Beneath each banner, proud to stand,
Looked up the nobest OF the land.
Here let their discord with them die.
Speak not for those a separate doom,
Whom fate made brothers in the tomb;
But search the land Of living men,
Where wilt thou find their like AGAIN."
Mr.. vENABLE said: Mr.. Speaker, trust that
! shall be pardoned for adding few words upon
this sad occasion. The life of the illustrious
man which has just terminated ia interviewer
with our history, and the lustre Of hs great name
5neu over N6 pages, uat Simple adtHl-
ration of his high qualities might well be my ex
But il ia sacred privilege to draw near;
to contemplate the end of the great and the good.
1t is profitable as well as purifying to look upon
and realize the office of death in removing all that
can excite jealousy produce distrust, and to
gaze upon the virtues which like jewels have
vived his powers of destruction. The light which
radiates from the life of a great and patriotic
party conflicts throw around it. But the blast
which strikes him down purfes the atmosphere
which surrounded him in life, and it shines forth
in bright examples and well-earned renown. 1t
ID then that we witness the sincere acknowledge
ment Of gratitude by people who, having en-
joyed the benefits arising from The services Of an
eminent statesman, emsalm his name in their
memory and hearts. We should cherish such re.
collections well from patriotism self respect
Ours, sir, 10 now the duty in the midst of Sadness
in this high place, in the face Of our Republic and
before the world, to pay this tribute by acknow
Lodging the merits of our colleague whose name
has ornamented the Journals of Congress for near
half n century. Few, very few, have ever com
bined the high intellectual powers and distin-
guished gifts of this illustrious Senator. Cast in
the finest mould by nature, he more than fulfilled
the anticpations which were INDUCED by those
who looked to distinguished career the certain
result OF that Jealous pursuit OF fame and useful
ness upon which he entered in early life. or the
incG hts Of that life it is unnecessary for me 10
spea k-they as familiar household words,
ana must be equally familiar to those who come
after us. But ii is useful to refresh memory by re-
career. We know, sir, that there is much that is
in common in the histories of distinguished men.
The elements which constitute greatness are the
same in all times; hence those who have been the
admiration Of their generations present in their
lives much which, although really great, ceases to
be remarkable, because illustrated by such numer
Gus examples:
"But there deeds which should not pass away,
And names that must not wther."
OF such deeds the life of HENRY CLAY affords
k-,,~
those with whom he associated, shall live with
freshness which time cannot impair, and shine
with brightness which passing. years cannot
dim. His advent into public life was as remark |
able for the circumstances 1t was brilliant in its
effect 1t at time in which genius and |
learning. craftsmanship and eloquence, made the |
American Congress the most august body in the |
world. He was the contemporary of race Of
OF whom then administering the
Government, and others retiring and retired from
disappearing an array of ability unsurpassed
in our history. The elder Adams, Jefferson, Mao
ison, Clinton and Monroe, stood before the Repub.
lie in the maturity of their fame; whilst Calhoun,
John Quincy Adams, Lowndes, Crawford. CASTOR,
and Cheves, with host of others, rose a bright
galaxy upon our horizon. He who won his spurs
in such field earned hs knighthood. Distinction
amidst such competition true renown:
- The fame which man wins for himself is best
That he may call his own"
It was such fame that he made for himself in
hat most eyenful era in our history. To me, sir,
he recoections Of that day, and the events which
it, 10 filled with an overpowerns intc-
'cst. l never can forget my enthusiastic admira-
ion of the boldness the eloquence. and the patriot
SIN Of HENRY CLAY during the war OF 1912 In
he bright array of talent which adorned the Con-
yress OF the United States-in the conflict growing
'ut of the political events of that time-in the
struggles of party, and amidst the gloom and dis
,sters which depressed the spirits of most men, and
wellnigh Paralyzed the energies of the administra
tion-his cheerful face, high bearing, command
ing eloquence, and iron will. gave strength and
to those elements which finally gave
not only success but glory to the country. When
dark clouds lowered over ia, and there was little
to save from despair the country looked with hope
to CLAY and Calhoun, to Lowndes, and Crawford,
and Cheves, and looked not in vain. The unbend-
ing will, the mistaken nerve, and the burning
eloquence of HENRY CLAY, did much to COM
mand confidence and sustain hope as even the news
OF our first victory after a succession of defeats.
Those great names are now canonixed in history;
he, too, has passed to join them on its pages As!
socs ted in his long political life with the ilusriouB
Calhoun, he survived him but two years. Many
of US heard his eloquent tribute to his memory in
the Senate Chamber on the annunoiation of his
death. And we this day unite in a similar mani.
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