The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-02
our nature rise around the corpse which was once

a man.
And of a truth, Mr.. Speaker, never more of
veritable. noble manhood cased in mortal mould
than was found in him 10 whose memory this briei
and humble, but true and heartfelt, tribute Is paid
But his eloquent voice is hushed-his high heart
is stiled. Like a shook of corn full ripe, he has
been gathered to his fathers. With more than
three score years and ten upon him, and honors
clustered thick about him. in the foil possession OF
unclouded intellect, and all the cancellations OF
Christianity he has met the fate which ID eVltaDle
by none. Lamented by all his country men, his
name is bright fame's immortal roll. He has
finished his course, and he has his crown. What
more fruit can life bear? What can II give that
HKsRyCLAY has not gained!
Then, Mr.. Speaker, around HIS tomb should De
heard not only the dirge that walls his lose, but
the jubilant anthem which sounds that on the
worlds great battle field another victory has been
won, another uncomfortable greatness achieved.
MIR. CHANDLER said: Mr. Speaker, it would
seem as if the solemn invocation OF the honorable
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. EwiNa) was re-
ceiving an carly answer, and that the heavens are
hung in black, and the wailing elements are sing
ing the funeral dirge of HEsRY CLAY. Amid this
elemental gloom and the distress which pervades
the nation at the death Of HENnr CLAY, private
grief should not obtrude itself upon notice, nor
personal anguish seek for utterance Silence Is the
best exponent OF individual sorrow, and the heart
that knoweth its own bitterness shrinks from an
exposition Of its atticlion.
Could have consulted my own feelings on the
event hich occupies the attention or the House at
attendance here; and in the solitude and silence
of my chamber, have unused upon the terrible les
son which has been administered to the people and
the nation. But represent constituency who
Justly pride themselves upon the unwavering at
tachment they have ever felt and manifested to
HENRY CLAy-a constant pervading, hereditary
love; the son has taken up the fathers affection;
and amid all the professions OF political attach
ments to others, whom the accidents of party have
made prominent, and the success of party has made
powerful true to his own Instincts, and true to the
sanctified legacy OF his father, he has placed the
name of HENRY CLAY forward and pre- eminent as
the exponent Of what Is grea est In statesnanship
and purest in patriotism. And even, sir, when
party fealty caused other attachments to be avowed
for party uses, the preference was limited TO the
occupancy OF office, and superiority admitted for
CLAY in all that is reckoned above party estlma-
ton.
Nor ought to forbear to add, that as the senior
member of the delegation which represents my
Commonwealth, am requested to utter the sentl
ments of the people of Pennsy vania at large, who
yield to no portion of this great Union in their
appreciation of the talents their reverence for the
lofty patriotism, their admiration Of the statesman
ship, and hereafter their love OF the memory OF
HBNRY CLAY.
cannot, therefore, be silent this occasion
without injustice to the affections of my constitu-
ency, even though painfully feel how inadequate
to the reverence and love my people have towards
that statesman must be oil that l have to utter
this mournful occasion.
know not, Mr.. Chairman, where now the nation
is to find the men she needs in peri-either other
calls than those Of politics arc holding in allegiance
the talents which the nation may need, or else a
generation is to pass undistn ushed by the great
mesa of statesmen. Of the noble minds that
have swayed the Senate, one yet survives in the
maturity Of powerful intellect. carefully disciplin-
ed and nobly exercised May He who has thus far
blessed nation, spare to her and the world that
of which the world must always envy our coun-
try the possession. But my business ID with the
dead.
.h,,o 81 ~, b;a Oh;
hood upward, is too familiar to every American
for me to trespass the time of this House by
reference directly thereto; and the honorable gen
tlemen who have preceded me have, with atfec
tionate band and appropriate delicacy, swept away
the duet which nearly four-score years have scat
tered over part of the record, and have made our
pride greater in his life, and our grief more pog
nant at his DEATH by showing some Of those passages
which attract respect to our republican Institutions,
of which MIR. CLAY's whole life the able sup
port and most successful illustration.
1t would, then, be a work Of supererogation for
me to renew that effort, though inquiry into the
life and conduct Of Henry CLAY would present
new themes for private eulogy, new grounds for
public gratitude.
How rare is it, Mr.. Speaker, that the great man,
living, can with confidence rely on extensive per-
souai friendship, or, dying, think to awaken a
sentiment of regret beyond that which includes the
public loss the disappointment Of individual
hopes Yet, sir, the message which yesterday
went forth from this city that HEsRY CLAY was
sorrow-to the hearts Of thousands, each of whom
felt that from his own love for, his long attach
ment to, his disinterested hopes in, HENRY CLAY,
he had particular sorrow to cherish and express,
which weighed upon his heart, separate from the
sense of national loss.
No man, Mr.. Speaker, in nation had the art
TO identify himself with public measures Of the
most momentous character. and to maintain, Mt
the time, almost universal affection, like that
great statesman. His business, from his boyhood,
was with national concerns, and he dealt with
them with familiar things. And yet his sympa-
thies were with individual interests, enterprises,
a1ec tons, ioys Ind sorrows and while every pa
triot bowed in humble Difference to his lofty attain
ments, and heartfelt gratitude for his national SER
vice5, almost every man In this vast Republic
knew that the great statesman was, in feeling and
experience, identified with his position. Hence
the universal love of the people hence their
thusiasm in all times for his fame; hence, sir,
their present grief
Many other public men of our country have dis
tnguished themselves, and brought honor to the
nation, by superiority in some peculiar branch of
public services but il seems to have been the gift
of Mr. CLAY to haye acquired peculiar eminence
in every path of duty he was called TO tread In
the earnestness of debate, which great public in
terests and distinguished opposing talents excited
in this House, he had superior in energy, force,
or effect. Yet, as the presiding officer, by bland |
ness of language and frmness of purpose, he sooh
ed and made orderly; and thus, by official dignity,
he commanded the respect which energy had Sc
cured to him on the floor.
Wherever official or social duties demanded On |
exercise of his power, there was pre- -eminence
which seemed prescriptvely his own. In the lofty
debate Of the Senate and the stirring harangues
to popular aasemblages he was the orator Of the
nation and of tho people; and the sincerity of pur
pose and the unity of design evnccd in oil he said |
or did fixed in the public mind confidence strong
and expansive the affections he had won.
Year after year, sir, has HESRy CLAY been |
the work Of the mission with which he |
was entrusted; and it was only when the warmcst |
wishes of his warmest friends were disappointed, |
that he entered the fruition of patriots high
est hopes, nd stood in the full enjoy ment Of that
admiration and confidence which nothing but the
antagonsm Of party relations could have divided.
How rich that enjoyment must have been, ii is
only for US to imagine. How eminently deserved
it was, we md the world can attest.
The love and the devotions of bis political friends
were cheering and grateful to his heart, and
acknowledged in all bis ife-were recognised even
to his death.
The CONTEXT in the Senate Chamber or the forum
was rewarded with success achieved, and the great
victor could enjoy the ovation which partial friend
ship the gratitude of the benefited prepared.
But the triumph of his life was party achieve
ncnt. Rwas not in the applause which admiring
friends and defeated antagonists offered to his
success, that he found the reward OF
his labors and comprehended the extent of his