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

wealth. am requested TO utter the sentiments OF The peo
pie Of Pennsylvania at large. who yield 70 no portion Of
hs great Union 10 iher app,eelapa Of aa - n1 ,h
craftsmanship and hereafter their love Oh le memory OF
HENRY CLAY. go -
Injustice The affections o my constituency even though
painfully feel how nadeq uate 10 the reverence and
love my people have towards that statesman must De all
that have 10 utter on this mournful occasion
know not, Mr. Chairman, where now the nation IS
to hnd the she needs in perlether other calls han
those Of politics are holding abeyance the talents which
the nation may need else generation is TO pass un
distinguished by the greatness OF statesmen or the
noble minds that have swayed the Senate one yet sur
wives in the maturity Of powerful intellect carefully ds
cpned and nobly exercised May He who has thus Tar
blessed nation. spare to her and The world that Of
which the world must always envy our country the pos
session But my business is with The dead. !,
The biography OF HENRY CLAY, from bis Childhood
upward familiar every American Tor me to Tres
pass the time of this House by reference directly
thereto; and the honorable gentlemen who have preceded
have with ectonate hand and appropriate delcacy.
swept away the dust which nearly four score years have
scattered part Of the record and have made our
pride greater in his life, and our gre more poignant al
his death, by showing OF those passages which at
tract respect TO republican institutions oil which NJ
CLAYs whole life was the able support and most sue
cesstul illustration.
It would then be work of supererogalion 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 it, Mr. Speaker, that the great living,
with confidence rely extensive personal friend
ship dying think TO awaken sentiment OF regret be-
yond that which includes the public loss, or the disap
pontnent of individual hopes. Yet sir, the message
which yesterday went forth from this city that HENRY
CLAY was dead brought soow-personal private, special
sorrow-to the hearts OF thousands each OF whom felt
that from his love for, his long attachment to, his
disinteesed hopes in, HENRY CLAY he had particular
TO cherish and express, which weighed upon his
heart, separate from the sense OF national loss
No man, Mr. Speaker in our nation had the art so to
identify himself with public measures Of the most mo-
mentous character and To- maintain at the same time
aIuHae IHa RtQ
business from his boyhood with national concerns
and he dealt with them as with familiar things. And
yet his sympathes were with individual interests, enter
prises, affections, joys, and sorrows and while every
patriot bowed in humble Difference to his lofty attain
nents and heartfelt gratitude for his national services.
almost every man IN thus vast republic knew tha me
with his owa position. Hence the universal love OF the
people hence their enthusiasm in all times for his fame
hence, sir, their present grief
Many other public men Of our country have disn-
gushed themselves and brought honor TO the nation, by
superiority peculiar branch OF public service, bu;
il seems TO have been the gift Of Mr. CLAY 10 have ac-
qured peculiar emnence in rypa,h Of duty he
called TO tread In the eanestness OF debate which great
public interests and distinguished opposing talents excited
effect Yet, the presiding officer, by bandness of Ian
guage, and frmness of purpose, he soothed and made
orderly and thus by official dignity, he commanded the
respect which energy had secured to him on the hoor
Wherever official or social duties demanded
else OF his power. there pre- emnence which seemed
prescrptyey his In the lofty debate OF the Senate
The orator OF The nation and OF The people; and thc sin,
cerity OF purpose and the unity Of design evinced in all
he SAID or dill fixed IN the pabl,c M mind confidence
Year after year, sir, has Henry CLAY been achieving
the work OF the mission with which he was infusted !;
and was only when the wanes, wishes OF his warm
est friends were disappointed that lie entered on The
fruiton OF patriots highest hopes, and stood 10 the full
enjoyment OF that admiration and confidence which
nothing but the antasonsm OF party relations could have
divided.
How rich that enjoyment have been il is only for
us TO imagine. How emnenty deserved IT was, we and
the world can attest.
The love and the devoions OF his political friends
cheering and grateful TO his heart and acknowledged
in all his lile-wers recognised even to his death.
The contest in the Senate chamber or the forum was
rewarded with success achieved, and the great victor
could enjoy the ovation which partial friendship or the
gratitude of the benefited prepared But the triumph of
his life was no party achievement Y was not IN the
applause which aimrng friends and defeated antagonists
offered 10 his measureless that he found the
ward OF his abos and comprehended the extent OF his
mission.
Ii was only when friends and antagonists paused in
their contests, appalled, at the public difficulties and
tona dangers which had been accumulang, unseen and
unregatded il only when the nation itself felt the
danger, and acknowledged the nefhcacy OF party ac.
ton remedy, that HEssY CLAY calculated the full
extent OF his powers and enjoyed the reward OF their
saving exercise Thea SIR, you saw, and saw, party
designations dropped, and party allegiance dsavowed,
and anxious patriots, OF all localities and name, turn to-
Bile exigences OF the hour; and the sick chamber Of
HENRY Clay became the Delphos, whence were given
ou the oracles that presented the and the
ures OF our Unions safety. There, sir and not in The
high places of the country the abos aud sacrifices
of halt century to be rewarded and closed With his
right yet in that Senate which he had entered the young
es, and fingered still the eldest member he felt that his
work done, and the object OF his life accomplished
Every cloud that had dmmed the MONDAY usire had been
dissipaied and the retiring orb, which sunk from the
sight OF the nation in fullness and in beauty, will yet pour
up the horizon posthumous glory that shall tell OF the
seador and greatness Of the umnary that has passed
away.
MI BAYLY, Of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, although
have been all my life party opponent OF MIR. CLAY,
yet from my boyhood have been upon terms OF personal
friendship with him. More than twenty years ago
was introduced to him by my father, who was his per.
sonal friend. From that time 10 this there las existed
between us great personal intimacy the disparity OF
our years and political difference would justify Alter
became member OF this House, and upon bis return TO
the Senate subsequent his resignation in ls42, the
warm regard upon his part for the daughter OF devoted
friend OF forty years standing made him constant visi-
ter at my house, and frequently guest at my table
These circumstances make proper that upon this occa
sion should pay this last tribute to his memory not
only knew him well a statesman, but knew him
better in the most unreserved social intercourse, The
most happy circumstance, as esteem II, OF my political
life has been that have thus known eacn OF our great
congressional triumvir.
T. sir, never knew man of higher qualities than Mr.
CLAY His very faults originated in high qualities With
greater self posse sson, with greater self reliance than
any man ever knew be possessed moral and physical
courage TO high degree any man who ever lived
Confident in his judgment, never doubling as TO his
own course fearing no obstacle that might lie in his way
il almost impossible that he should not have been
mperious in his character. Never doubling himself as
to what he thought duty and patriotism required at his
hands, IL was natural that he should sometimes have been
inpatient with those more doubling and tind than him