Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-11-06

powder
the stumps and tree trunks above and below water,
as well various expedients for saving cutting up,
and removing the larger trees stunps, and roots
which lie below the surface.-De Boso's Reoieu.
"REMINISCENCES OF HENRY CLAY.
1t has been suggested to me by mutual friend,
that it might do good to give publicity to some facts
that came under my personal observation, touching
the religious character Of Mr.. Clay. Having been
born in his neighborhood, and being the son of a
personal friend though of political opponent do
not remember when first formed his acquaintance.
In the tall of 1886, travelled with him from Ken
lucky to Philadelphia. He was sn his way to Wash
ington.
cal studies. He recognised me at on0e, and treat
ed me with great affection. During our journey,
though at tina, time he made no pretensions to per-
sonal religion, l remember we'll the emphatic man
ner in which he spoke of the truth and Importance
of Christianity, and expressed hope that ne would
some day be Christian himself He spoke to me
words of encouragement and expressed u high ap-
probation of learned and pious ministry. l can
forget the considerate kindness and attention
which he showed me, unknown young man. on
the way and after arrival in Philadelphia, where
he remained few days. He introduced me to num-
Der of the most distinguished men in the nation.
and such were his attentions that l was taken by
many to be member of his family.
After my settlement in the ministry, whenever We
met, which was frequently, he always treated me as
friend and often referred to ourneying togeth-
err. In the winter of 1878, saw him in New Or
leans, and travelled with him to Mobile. He spoke
freely the subject of religion, and also gave his
views of some of the churches that very strik.
ing From the conversation which he introduced
himself was satisfied that he was thinking serious
ly about making profession of Religion, which he
did soon after. My impression was, that while he
perfectly sincere and earnest yet that he had at
hiatt inoaQ inaH 70 anti
ty of religion.
Not great while after he united with the Episco-
pal Church. called to him at Ashland, in COM
pany with two distinguished ministers from dis
tance and from his conversation then the impression
was deepened upon my mind, and made also on
theirs. In the course Of few years, returned to
the neighborhood of Ashland to reside. No one
gave me heartier welcome than Mr.. Clay. l do
not remember ever to have passed him without
cordial salutation, and generally somewhat pro-
tracted conversation. Upon meeting him on one
casion, he said to me- "Sir wish to come and spend
day with you in the country. There some
things about which wish to converse with you"
Shortly after, he came early in the morning and
spent the entire day. 1t not long before he left
his home for the last time for Washington. l can
never forget that day. Mr.. Clay was very feeble,
and evidently believed that his busy and eventful
life was rapidly drawing to close. l had seen him
in the vigor Of his manhood, and he certainly was
the most imposing and commanding man l ever
saw. Now, he was gentle and tender as a woman !;
his mind was clear and strong; his views and feel
ings about religion had evidently undergone great
change. They were evangelical and catholic, and
his feelings were those of large hearted and hum
BILE Christian. He spoke freely upon the whole SUBJ
ject He expressed great doubt about his living to
take his seat in the Senate, but hoped that God
would spare his life until he could once more speak
the purity and depth of his love Of country and the
Union. He seemed to have merged his character as
the greatest of party leaders into that Of second
father of his country.
Just before he left, the young ladies Of my family
(about sixty of them) to whom he had been intro
duced in the morning, at his own request, came to
receive his farewell. He arose, and with great feel
ing addressed them for about twenty minutes. it
was the most sensible, appropriate and pious ad-
dress ever heard. He alluded to his sge and mfr
mites, and its being, in all probability, the last time
he would ever meet them on earth, AID he wished
to leave with them his testimony of the value and
importance of the Christian Religion. He expressed
his deep interest in the education of thu rising gen.
Grafton of females, of the refining and eesating in
a. &c -a---s;o- -;sh -si'sio" to st them for the
positions they would be called upon to take in the
world He also alluded to his pas. life, and in the
most feeling and impressive manner recommended
to them the daily study Of the Bible as we'll as at
tention to the text books Of the school,
He said: 81 am an old man. have been a very
wicked man. l have seen great deal of the world,
ii
to be the true followers of Christ" II to me a
beautiful and sublime spectacle to the first citi-
zen OF the Republic upon whose accents our Senate
had often hung en'ranced and whose name and
fame were worldwide, standing in the midst of that
lovely, youthful band counsellng and blessing them
in patriarchial style.
Although l had heard Mr.. Clay in some of his
greatest efforts at the bar and before the people, on
no occasion did ever feel that he was more truly
great than when commencing the religion of a cru
Gifted Saviour to those young and admring hearts.
Another thing that deeply impressed me with the
conviction that he was true Christian, was sub.
dued and kindly feeling that he manifested to every
human being
In the course Of long Summers day, things
both past and present freely touched upon, and
IN no instance did discover even the shadow of
bitterness or unkindness toward those who had op-
i posed him in his most cherished plans He seemed
to have risen above all that of party feeling,
which is almost inevitable with the purest and
greatest statesmen while engaged in the daily con.
hicts OF party contests. When he left he promised
to return and spend another quiet day before he
went to Washington, expressing the great pleasure
the visit had afforded him. Circumstances prevent.
ed my visiting him in his own home and at the time
appointed for his second VISIT instead of the pleas.
ure Of seeing him received kind and afectionate
letter, assigning sickness as the of his failure
which preserved as grateful memento of his per.
sonal friendship His great efforts in the Senate
the ensuing winter for the preservation of the
union and bis calm and peaceful death in the
Spring, are part of the public history of the
country.
! Hoping that these pleasant "reminiscences NAV do
some good to my countrymen, and also believing
that they will present Mr.. Cay's character in new
ana interesting aspect to many who only knew him
asa great orator and statesman, send them to YOU
for pub:cation.-Presbyteri Herald. -, r
Coon ROLLING Srock-A well informed officer o.
| the North Carolina Railroad. who has recentin ~