Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1856-12-19
DEATH OF HON JOHN NJ. CLAY
TON

!
TON.
THIS eminent statesman died on the 9il
ult., at Dover, Delaware, after proiract.
ed illness. Those who remember him as be
was IN the prime of his life aud ia unimpair,
cd health have before them the picture of a
man of massive frame wi:h corresponding
intellect. Majestic in appearance, amisble
in manners, and eloquent in conversation.
| he attracted the admiration of large cir.
Gle of friends, ard stood high in the e,tiina-
ton Of the public, with whom such qualities
are always popular.
| lie was bred to the profession of the law.
in which lie early attained high rank. In
politics he took sides with the federal party
and remained with il until it ceased TO exist
In 1929 he was elected TO the Senate of the
United States, aud again in 1885 He re-
Signed his seat in 1887, in consequence Of
being instructed by the Legislature OF Della
wars to vote for the expunging resolution
OF Col. Benton In the debate which at
tended their introduction he declared he
would not bold his seat if they were adopt
ed aud hoped not to survive the day of their
eonsummaiion. Upon this iniimaiion it
was that lie was forthwith instructed, and
he was necessarily compelled to resign. IL
1911 he was Dir. Clay's candidate for the
Office of Secretary Of State under Gen.
Harrison, but was oyersha widowed by the
Influence of Mr.. Wcbsters friends, nlthoueh b
he had originally expressed his doubts OF
the Generals fitness for the office of Presi-
dent Mr.. Clayton was sgain elected 10 the
Senate in lS45, and remained there until
the % Of February lS4s, when he attained
the Object of his ambition. and was appoint
ed Secretary of State by President Taylor.
This separated him from his friend Henry
Clay, who could not look comparatively up
on the elevation of the General, and IN con-
sequence feud of bitterness arose between
them. which We understand, was never ap-
peased. Mr.. Clayton, who had named his
country residence Ashland, now changed it
to Buena Vista. 1t WAS during this peri'a
Of his life that he negotiated tie famous
Ca, ton and Bulwer Convention, which was
deemed to have settled our difficulties in
relation 10 Central America. When the
English Interpretation however, was subse-
quently given it, the advantage on the A
merican side appeared TO be merely nomin :
al, and The subject was accordingly discussed
with asperity on both sides The Atlantic. -
Upon the death Of General Taylor and the
accession of Mr.. Fillmore to the Presiden-
cy, Mr.. Clayton resigned his post and was
succeeded by Mr.. Webster. He was, how
ever, re elected to the United States Sen
ate in 1858, as the successor of Alr. Spru-
ance, and as the debates upon the C?uven-
ton had already commenced there it was
desirable he should be present to defend
ms conuuct and the views OF MS own gov
ernment
The general opinion, however, that he
had been overreachcd by Sir Henry Bulwer
Effected BIS spirits, and it is sail lie was
several times driven 10 his bed by illness
produced by anxiety of mud. During The
present campaign he has taken but Ii'tle, if
any, interest. Mr.. Clayton's reputation as
statesman was that of being second only
to Mr.. Clay, and though cotemporary
biography has been strangely silent as 10
his many services to his country. there is
no doubt that his memory will be cherish
ed as that of one Of our greatest and best
men--.E T. Herald.