Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-07-16
A Just Tribute,

One of the Editors of the National IatelJi-
gencer, made q pilgrimage to Ashland, in order
to be present st the laying down of the corner
stone Of the Clay Monument, on the 4th inst.
In his correspondence, relating to the ceremo-
MES of that interesting event, occurs the fol-
lowing beautiful and chaste reference to the
character and services Of the "great Ameri-
can Pacfcator" Few men of his time knew
Mr.. CLAY better, or admired him more than
did the writer:
" am glad that came 10 Lexington, and have
been permitted for the first time TO turn my stc rs
to this coca OF American patriotism and 10 thread
the shady lanes 10 which the Sage of Ashland once
walked and commaned With his gallant spiit.
And | am glad that IL was occasion like the one
inst closed which first brought me to This brave.
Kentucky soil, once the dark aud bloody ground of
Indian legend and wild romance, the smiling
seat of Opulence and peaceful art; for the " fair
women aud brave men" who this day thronged the
streets o. Lexington were met 20 do homage to one
whom death. IN having placed be You'd the reach Of
hIttery aud the interested friendship of political
reiainers, is seen not to have removed beyond the
grateful aud aHsctOnate admiration of his fellow
citizens On oghtr fields let our countrymen rear
the trumphal trophy or the monumental pile 10
mark tive sp0s which Revolutionary valor has rem
0ered immortal, YET here surely iI Is most 6tns
that the people should honor by some puohc mark
OF gratitude the patriot who devoted bis life TO III
perpetudtion aud embe llshmrut of that liberty
which the fathers Of the Republic founded Nor
u, as the great Roman slater man and orator has
argued Il Is hardly less glorious save civil boon
than 10 have been the first 70 vim Is should ne
regard with inferior veneT4tion those who have mr.
served Tor u, in times OF political peril the pics-
less heritage OF Liberty and Union. Ard IT, again.
Peace has her victories no less renowned than war
who shall iorJj This monument to rise 70 heaven
III memory OF q c great American Pacifcato,Y-a
oioodess title, but og that ouiy the more honorable
hat though his name is not enrolled in the last OF
American Presidents? He might have added fresh
Iastre 10 that catalogue, but could hardly have
derived from Il an Increase Of glory lustrious a.
Is che Official line which begins With the Father OF
his Country. itcaunoi, however, be forgotten that
Time, 10 adding quadrennialIy 10 the number Of
those Who reach thIs high perch OF civil power, is
perpeiuaHy, thougn Il be insensibly, diminishing
tue singular and peculiar honor which still attaches
70 this noS rare distinction But shat Wll be the
measure OF fame derived merely from historical
place among the Presidents OF the Republic When
their numbsr shall be counted by scoresy What
nov : the fraction OF immortality assured 10 q
name inscribed among the Doges OF Venice; YET IN
the days OF feheIs4n pIids aud glory, when her
nobility went forth Ia saiiy-deeked gondolas 70 Wit
s. The annual spansals o. she Adriatie" Is With
Tie golden ring u papal glft and b.essing, tbs
proud Dogs ei Fensce, on tbs pEoGd deck 1T tke
bueeniaof, Seddsd the sea tue destined srsae II
That haagAty kepaelie, shat iasa was he ema.ons
nsairy ~ith witch tie anesgiea u faaliiy AID cas