The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-02

their respective friends Like Fox and Pit, they dice
about The same me 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,
IosIing by dark intrigue Tor place
Liked fabled gods their mighty war
Shook realms and nations in its jar.
Beneath each banner, proud 10 stand
Looked up the mobiles. Of The land
Here let their discord with them die
Speak not for those separate doom
Whom fate made brothers in the tomb
Bnt search the land Of living men,
Where wilt thou find their like again -
Mr.. VENABLE, of North Carolina, said Mr.
Speaker trust that shall be pardoned for adding few
words upon this sad occasion The life Of the usrous
statesman which has just terminated is so interviewer
with our history and the lustre OF his great pro
tusey shed over ITS pages that simple admiration of his
high qualities might well be my excuse But IL is
sacred privilege to draw nearto contemplate the end OF
the great and the good Il is profitable well purify
ing 10 look upon and realize the Office OF DEATH n
ing all that can axcte jealousy produce disirus and
10 gaze upon the virtues which, like Jewels have sur
vved his powers OF destruction. The light which rad-
aies from the life of great and patriotic statesman is
often dimmed by the mists which party conflicts throw
around it But the blast which strikes him down pures
the atmosphere which surrouaded him in life. and il
shines forth in bright examples and well earned renown
is then that witness the sincere acknowledgment OF
gratitude by people who having enjoyed the benefits ars
ing from the services OF an eminent statesman, embam
his name in their memory and hearts We should cherish
Ours. sir is the duty in the midst OF Sadness this
high place. in the face OF republic and before the world
TO pay this tribute by acknowledging the merits of
colleague whose name has ornamened the journals OF
Congress for half century Few, very few have
ever combined the high intellectual powers and distin-
gulsbed gifts OF this ilusrous senator. Cast in the
finest mould by Nature he than fulfilled the anci.
patons which were ndulged by those who looked 10
distinguished the certain result of that Jealous
pursuit OF fame and usefulness upon which he entered in
early life OF the incidents OF that life il is
tor me 10 speak; they are as familiar as household
words. and must be equally familiar 10 those who
after But it is useful to refresh the memory by
cnrrence to some OF the events which marked his
We know, sir, that there is much that is in common in
the histories of distinguished men. The elements which
constitute greatness the same in all tines hence
those who have been the admiration OF their generations
present in their lives much which, although really great
be remarkable, because illustrated by such
merous examples
g But there deeds which should not pass away,
And names that must not wither."
OF such deeds the life of Henry Clay affords many and
bright examples. His own name and 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 lie was
markabe for the circumstances brilliant in its
effect. Il was at time in which genius and learning,
craftsmanship and eloquence, made the American Con-
gress the most august body in the world He was the
contemporary OF race OF statesmen, some OF whom
then administering the government, and others retiring
and retired from office, presented an array OF ability un
surpassed in history. The elder Adams. Jefferson
Madison, Cnlon and Monroe, stood before the republic
in the maturity of their fame; whilst Calhoun, John
Quincy Adams Lowndes Crawford CASTOR, and Cheves,
with host OF others. bright galaxy upon ho-
nzon. He who his spurs IN such field earned his
knighthood. Distinction amids, such competition was
true renown--
The fame which wins ar himself is best
That he may call his own"
II was such fame that he made for himself in that
most eventiul in our history To me, sir, The reco
lection OF that day and the events which distinguish it.
is filled with an overpowering interest never for
get my enthusiastic admiration oil the boldness, the eo
quence, and the patriotism oi Henry CLAY during the
OF 1872 In the bright array OF talent which adorn-
ed The Congress OF tue United Sta,es-in the conflict
growing out of the political events OF that tme-n the
struggles OF party and amidst the gloom and disasters
which depressed The spirits of most men, and well nigh
paralyzed the energies OF the administration, his cheer
ful iace high bearing commanding eloquence, and iron
will gave strength and consistency TO those elements
which finally gave not only success but glory 10 the
try When dark clouds hovered US, and there was
little from despair, The country looked with hope
TO Clay and Calhoun, to Lowndes and Craw ford, and
Cheves, and looked not 10 vain, The unbendng will.
the unshaken nerve, and the burning eoquence OF HEN
CLAY did as much 10 command confidence and sustain
hope as the Of first victory after success
sion OF defeats Those great names are now canonzed
history be- too, has passed TO Join them its pages
Associated in his long political life with the iliusirious
Caboun, be survived him but two years. Many OF us
heard his eloquent tribute TO his memory ~ The Senate
chamber on the annunciaon OF his death And this
day unite similar manifestation OF reverential regard
TO him whose voice shall charm the ear,
whose burning thoughts borne on that medium, shall no
more move the hearts OF listening assemblies
In the midst OF the highest specimens OF race, he
was always an equal he Dds man amongst men. |
Bold sklful, and determined, he gave character 10 the
party which acknowledged him LEADER impressed
his opinions upon their minds and attachment to him
self upon their hearts No man, sir, do this without
being eminenty great whoever atlans this position
must first the aspirations Of Antagonist anbi
tion quiet the camors of rivalry, hold in check the mur
OF jealousy, and overcome the instincts OF vanity
and self flove in the thus subdued TO his control
But few ever attain it. Very the examples
of those whose plastic touch forms the minds and directs
the purposes OF great political party This nallibe in
dicaon of superiority belonged to Mr. Clay. He has
through broad land the tidings OF his DEATH borne
with electric speed, have opened the fountains OF sor
row Every city, town, village, and hamlet will be
clothed with mourning; along our extended coast the
and military marine, with flags dropping al
hafmast the bereavement State houses draped IN
black proclaim The exinguishment OF one OF the great
lights OF Senstes and minute guns sound his requem
Sir, during the last five years have seen the venerable
John Quincy Adams, John c. Calhoun, and HENRY CLAY
pass from amongst us, the Legislators OF country
The OF giants who were the earth in those days
is we'll nigh gone Despite their skill their genius their
might, they have sunk under the stroke OF time They
were our admiration and glory few nger with us,
the monuments Of former greatness, the beacon Sbts OF
a past age. The death OF HEsRY CLAY canno pail 10
suggest melancholy associations to each member of this
House These walls have reechoed the silvery tones OF
his bewitcbing voice listening assemblies have hung
upon his lips The chair which you fill has been graced
by his presence, whilst his commanding person and une-
qualled parliamentary aainmens inspired all with defer
ence and respect Chosen by accamaton because OF his
high qualifications he sustained himself before the House
and the country In his supremacy with bis party, and
the uninterrupted confidence which he enjoyed to the day
of his death, he to have almost discredted the
truth OF those lines addressed TO Cesar--