The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-08

every act of his public life. It triumphed over
party; II triumphed over policy it subdued the
natural fierceness and haughtinsss of his temper,
and brought him into the most kindly and cor
dial relations, with all those who, upon all other
questions, were deeply and bitterly opposed to
him. 1t has been asserted, sir, upon high medi-
cal authority, and doubtless with truth, that his
life was in all probability, shortened ten years
by the arduous and extraordinary labors which
ha assumed al the mono fabie session of 1850.
If 40, he has added ihe crowning glory of the
martyr 40 the spotess fame Of the patriot !;
and We may well hope TINT great national
pacification, purchased ut such sacrifice. will
long continue to cement. the bonds Of this great
and glorious Union.
Mr.. Clay possessed in an eminent degree, the
qualities of great popular leader and history,
will assume to say, affords no example, in any
republic, ancient or modern, of any Individual
that 80 fearlessly carried out the convictions
OF his own judgment, and SO sparingly fattered
the prejudices of popular feeling; who for 40
long period exercised the same controlling
influence over the public mind. Earnest ia
whatever measure he Observation-Disclosures in at
tack-dexterous in misunderstanding in in
tellectuai resource--eloquent in debate-of in
flexible purpose, and with courage never
to submit or yield" no man ever lived with
higher qualifications TO rally desponding party,
or to lead All embattled host to victory That
he never attained the highest post OF honorable
ambition IN this country, is not to be ascribed TO
any want OF capacity as a popular leader; nor
the absence of those qualities which attract the
fidelity and devotion of " troops" of adtnirinc
friends. 1t was the fortune of Napoleon, at
critical period of his destiny, to be brought into
collision with the star of Wellington, and il
was the fortune OF Henry Clay to have encoun.
tered, Ia his political orbit, another great and
original mind, gifted with equal power for com
handing success, and blessed with more fortu-
nate elements, concurring at the time, of secu-
ring popular. favor. The struggle was such
one as might have been anticipated from the
COLLISION OF two such fierce and powerful ri.
walls.
For near quarter of century this great
republic has been convulsed to its centre by
the dIvlsonss which have sprung from their
respective opinions, policy, and personal desi-
MES; and even now, when they have both been
to higher and better sphere of ex
stence, and every unkind feeling has been
quenched in the triumphs of the grave, this
county still feels, and for years will continue
TO feel, the influence of these aoitations to
which their powerful and impressive characters
gave impulse.
But must pause. If | were to attempt to
present all the aspects in which the character
u this illustrious man will challenge the ap
olause Of history, | should fatigue the House,
md violate the just limit allowed for such re.
marks.
cannot conclude, however without making
'ome more special allusion to Mr.. Clay us ma
i've OF that State which have the honor in part
% represent upon this floor We are all proud.
md very properly proud, of the distinguished
men to which our respective States have given
birth. 1t is just and laudable emulation, and
'ne in aconfederated government like ours, pro.
Der to be encouraged. And whilst men like
Mr.. Clay very rapidly rise above the confined
limits of a State reputation, and acquire ma.
ional fame, in which all claim and all have an
,qnal interest, still there is propriety and fit
less in preserving the relation between the in.
lividual and his State. Virginia has given birth
o large number Of men who have bv their
distinguished talents and services impressed
heir names upon the hearts and memories of
heir countrymen; but, certainly, since the colo
hal era she has given birth to no man who in
ne massive and gigantic proportions of his
character, and in the spendor of his native en-
1owments, can be compared to Henry Clay. At
IN early age he emigrated from his native State.
md found home in Kentucky. In a speech
which he delivered in the Senate of the United
States, in February, 1912 and which we'll re-
member, upon the occasion of his resigning his
'eat in that body, he expressed the wish that
when that event should occur which has now
clothed the city in mourning, and filled the ma
ION with grief, that his earthly remains should
% laid under the green sod of Kentucky, with
hose of her gallant and patriotic sons"
Sir hoUavor 49, L
hose remains should be transferred 10 his native
'oil, and there mingle with the ashes of Wash
ngton, Jefferson, Madison, Lee, and Henry, we
cannot complain of the very natural preference
which he has there himself expressed If Vir. |
yinih did give him birth, Kentucky has nourished
hin in his manhood has freely lavished upon
,im her highest honors; has shielded him from
harm when the clouds of caumny and detrac-
ion gathered heavily and loweringly about him,
md she has watched over his fame with the
tenderness and zeal Of mother. Sir, it is not
20 be wondered that he should have expressed
The wish which he did, to DO laid by the side of
,er gallant and patriotic sons. Happy Kentucky!
Happy in having an adopted son so worthy of
Ter best honors. Happy in the mistaken fidelity
md loyalty with which, for near half century,
hose honors have been 40 steadfastly and grace |
July accorded to him.
Sir, whilst Virginia, in the exercise of her own
nst Judgment. has differed from Mr. Clay in
,ome Of his views of national policy she has
never, at any period of his public career, failed
20 regard him with pride as one of her most dis. !
inguished sons--to honor the purity and the
nanliness of his character-and to award to him
he high credit of an honest and sincere deyo-
Ion to his countrys welfare. And now, sir.
hat death has extinguished forever the workings
# that mighty intellect, and sealed in eternal
silence those eloquent lips upon whose accents
thousands have so often hung in rapture, | shall
stand justified in saving that wall of lamenta
ion will be heard from her people, her whole
people, reverberating through her mountains
md vallevs, as deep, as genuine, and as sincere
Is that which know will swell the noble hearts |
md the heaving bosoms of the people of his own
cherished and beloved Kentucky.
Sir, as walked to the Capitol this morning,
'very object which attracted my eye admonshed
ne that a national henefactor had departed from
lmongst us. lie is gone Henry Clay, the idol |
If his friends, the ornament of the Senate cham
l.