The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-30

Death Of Henry Clay.
On Yesterday morning between eleven and
twelve o'clock, the long-protracted illness OF
HENRY CLAY terminated in death. The event
had been for several months expected, but its
announcement fell on the people of this city, as
il must on those of the whole Union, with gen
srsl gloom and sadness The solemn toll OF
the bell, the silent and simultaneous appearance
of mourning drapery on the houses, the closing
of stores-all were in consonance with the ex
Houses of Congress assembled and at once ad
journed The Departments were closed
The day itself was overcast with clouds, and
drops of rain fell heavily, as his spirit past
HENRY CLAY belonged to the second 'gener-
alton of men to whom the destiny of the Union
was committed lie was born in l776-a few
months after the Declaration of independence
And whilst, of all his generation, many believe
him to have been the first in genius, ability and
patriotism, all will admit that he belonged to|
the very foremost of the very first.
As an orator, he had no equal among his conf
temporaries. AS statesman, he assumed in|
early life a commanding position, and not only
maintained, but advanced it to the last His
genius and fortitude did more to found, sustain
and stimulate the great party Of which he was|
leader, than those of any other man.
But HENRY CLAY was more than an orator
and statesman. He was man of wonderful
greatness, symmetry and versatility. Not onlyI
in Congress-, in House and Senate--not only in|
the cabinet at home or in diplomacy abroad, bnt|
in society, in parlors, in parties, with men or!
with women, in conversation, in manners, hif|
superiority was alike evident He was always|
self possessed, prompt, brilliant, available, pow
erful, pleasing and agreeable. Wherever he ap
peared-in conversation, as a speaker before thel
people, in the House of Representatives, in the|
Senate, as minister abroad, as Secretary oil
State-he excelled. And when we consider that
he acquired all these accomplishments with
out the aid of birth, of wealth, or of education,
we shall only be able to do the more justice to
the intrinsic greatness of the man.
Mr.. CLAY's highest qualities were self-po
session and energy, perspicuity Cfthought, great
discrimination and remarkable combination of
the faculties of persuading and controlling men.
There may be some dispute as to the depth Of
his reason, or the elevation of his views There
can be none whatever as to the fact that in pol.
icy he was more profound, and in principle more
exalted, than his age and country. And if he
did not attain the highest official station that his
country could confer, it was not because he wa.
not great enough, but because he was too great.
This is very obvious when we consider that hi,
own party preferred HARRISON and a TAyLoF
successfully to him, and that his last hours wer,
disturbed by the huzzas and bonfres of crow,
that met to rejoice over the nomination of Ger
ScoTr. Mr.. CALHOUN once assured us that h
could trust more in the honor of Mr.. CLAY, j,
all political engagements, than in almost an
other public man. And as we have enjoyed tn
pleasure of Mr. Claws conversation by the hour
we take pleasure in bearing testimony to tn,
elevated sentiments that he uniformly expressed
1t is now but little more than two short years
descended to the tomb. They were rivals in
greatness and rivals in system. How much like
PITT and Fox-although we believe the Ameri.
can were greater than the British statesmen
But we avail ourselves of the occasion to insist
with the great Scottish bard on depressing the
sentiment of partizan hostility, which has arisen
in the struggle. Ofthe American as of the British
orators, it might be said:
Sc With more than mortal powers endowed,
How high they soar'd above the crowd
Theirs was no common party race
Josting by dark intrigue for place,
Like tabled gods, their mighty war,
Shook realms and nations in its jar"
For the struggle of intellect and of system be-
tween CLAY and CALHOUN shook and will con-
tinue to shake the States of this continent, as
that of PITT and Fox did those of the DID,
Nay, the struggles of the two rival systems
began before, and will continue long after PITT
and Fox, CLAY and CALHOUN. 1t il the strug-
gle between the principle of universal equality
which Fox and CLAY supported, and that of
moral, and hence of political and legal subordi.
nation, which PITT and CALHOUN maintained.
PITT and CALHOUN were both defeated in their
policy, and both sunk to the grave in the darkest
hours OF the struggle-but the spirits of both
remain to preside over the conflict until vic
tory is finally won.
The BLEssInGs OF EMANCIPATIoN-To ALL
those would be philanthropists whose hearts are
SO soft that their heads seem compelled to. SYM
pathlze Herewith, we recommend the following
picture of the state of society in one Of those