The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-06-16
JACKSON G Il, OHIO THURSDAY JUNE 1e, 1858

Appeals. II is not to be supposed that
one year could confer knowledge Of law
sufficient 10 entitle minor to the admis.
sion 10 the bar, and we therefore infer
that the reading of the lad always was Of
practical and useful character. For
five years, young Clay enjoyed the privi.
lege Of Chancellor Wythe's friendship;
and he was furthermore introduced into
the society and notice OF John Marshall.
afterwards Chief Justice Of the United
States, and other distinguished men Of
that era. lie had thus an opportunity Of
acquiring, at the fountain. head, knowl.
edge Of the meaning of the founders Of
the Republic, and the constitution which
they drew up, and the laws which were
passed in pursuance of it, His intimate
relation with these political patriarch's $
apprised him oil the cost of that Union
with which his life may have said 10 have
begun; and in his after lie he showed
himsefo on more than one important oc.
casion, the effective friend Of his country.
and its able defender. whether the threat.
ening danger came from foreign foes or
arose from internal difficulties.
We cannot pass this period in the life
Of our hero, without commenting the
example of the young man who sought TO
improve his mind by listening 10 the wis.
dom Of his seniors, rather than 10 dissi.
pate his time and talents in amusements
with his fellow students. He thus secured
the esteem OF men who could appreciate
his character, and predict his SUCCESS
His relations with those of his own age
were also of an elevating character. Like
seeks like-and with other young men
like himself, studious and ambitious, he
combined amusement with instruction in
the exercises Of debating society, which
was the first scene of his capacity for or.
atory and for argument. The promise
of his life early developed itself; and we
may add also that his capacity for win
ming and securing friends was early man.
ifested. His frank and generous nature
had none of the .fnesse and art which
can secure advancementby duplicty and
management. He had not the small am.
bi;ion which can stoop TO hattery and
fawning, but his character was stamped
with an early manliness which commands
respect while il invites affection.
After obtaining admission 10 the bar,
Henry removed TO Lexington, Kentucky,
in 1897. His parents preceded him in
emigration to that State. The following
brief review of his boyhood is extracted
from speech made by him in l842, when
he met some of his old friends at an en-.
tertainment, upon his retirement, as he
supposed, from public life:
"In looking back upon my origin and
progress through life, have great reason
TO be thankful. My father died in 1881,
leaving me an infant of too tender years
to retain any recollection Of his smiles or
endearment. My surviving parent re.
moved to this State in 1899, leaving me.
boy of fifteen years of age, in the office
OF the High Court Of Chancery, in the
city of Richmond; without guardian,
without pecuniary support, to steer my
course as might or could. A neglected
education was improved by my own ir-
regular exertions. without the benefits oil
systematic instruction. | studied law
principally in the office of lamented
iriend-the late Governor Brooke-then
Attorney.General in Virginia, and also
under the auspicies Of The venerable and
lamen,ed Chancellor Wythe, tor whom !
had acted as amanuensis. | obtained a
licence TO practice the profession from the
Judges OF the Court Of Appeals Of Vir.
ginia, and established myself in Lexing.
ton, in 1897, without patrons, without the
favor and countenance of the great and
opulent, without The means of paying my
weekly board, aud in the mids OF bar
distinguished by eminent members. !
remember how comfortable thought !
should be, if | could make one hundred
pound, Virginia money. per year. and
with what delight received the first fif-
teen snilings' lee. My hopes were more
than realized-l Immediately y rushed into
successful and lucrative practice"