New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-04-12

To-day, in the presence of thousands and tens Of
thousands of the people of this city, of this State,
and of other States of the National Union, the citi
zens Of New Orleans will erect statue Of Henry
Clay.
To-day, also, by a happy coincidence, another
statue of the great and peerless Statesman will be
inauguraed in the capital Of his native State, under
the auspices Of the ladies Of that venerable and
illustrious Commonwealth.
Thus at the same moment, nearly eight years
after he has passed from earth, two eflgies Of
Henry Clay will be erected In far distant portions
of the same land. The State which gave him birth,
and the city which, above all others, delighted to
honor him when living, are to-day engaged, with
out any concert Of action, in the same holy and
patriotic undertaking. 4a@
Virginia gave birth to Henry Clay, and Kentucky
adopted and honored him; but Louisiana yields to
neither in admiration Of the great and heroic quail
tiles which made Henry Clay, in his day, first
among the foremost of the illustrious statesmen of
our land. Many years have passed since the pee.
pie ofNew Orleans, lin countless throngs, welcomed
Henry Clay to the Crescent City, under the nspiri
ing eloguence of the great orator of Mississippi
But though the idol of that hour has the last
Of earth" there will be thousands to-day whose
posing ceremonies of the occasion, and whose love
for the incompatible statesman, kindled by the
glowing recollections Of the past, will burn with
undminished and unquenchable fervor.
Henry Clay was born amidst the pers of the Re-
volution. His birth may be said, indeed, to have
been heralded by the echo of the guns which pro-
claimed the declaration of our independence
Amid the exciting scenes which followed the war
nf fha pay Int ha e;onc ob
gave that form and mould to his character which
made him, throughout the whole of his eyentful
life, marked exponent of American nationality
and patriotism. Il.
1t is needless to trace a career with which every
American citizen is familiar. EVERYBODY knows the
struggles OF his early youth-the fierce combat
with poverty, that he might receive an education
the indomitable spirit with which he fought his way
to the bar, and the brilliant trumphs of the young
advocate in forum filled with the first jurists Of
the age. No enc need be told of his rapid and
brilliant advancement into the field of politcs-of
his promotion to the Senate Of the United States
when scarcely eligible to the position-of his warm
espousal and eloquent advocacy of the American
cause in the war of lsl2-of diplomatic mission
crowned with glory to himself and to his country
of his services in the Cabinet and in both Houses
of Congress during period in the history of our
country bristlng with great events. To recount
these i as to repeat thrice-told tale. In the
humblest cabin, as in the costliest palace from
Maine to California, the name and the fame Of
Henry Clay are familiar as household words.
Nor need the citizens Of New Orleans be re-
minded Of his services in their behalf. He was
earnestly in favor Of the admission of Louisiana
into the Union. The Improvement of the naviga-
ton Of the Mississippi had no more able or Jealous
advocate. The guaranty Of the exclusive navi-
CATION of the Mississippi, which was secured
| through Mr.. Clay's exertions in the treaty of
6hent is privilege the value of which the people
of this city can never overestimate. The protee-
ton of our commerce in the Gulf, and our defense
against foreign invasion, were subjects to which
he gave all the aid of his mastery intellect New
Orleans cherishes the memory of Henry Clay as
well in reciprocation of the affection he ever dis
played for her. as for his grand and glorious
services for the nation in all of its parts and
sections.
1t is just and appropriate, therefore, that New
Orleans should honor, dead, the great orator and
statesman whom she SO much honored living She
to-day places, in the most conspicuous place, upon
her most beautiful street, the image Of one who
would have been distinguished in any age or in any
land. For herself, she repels, by this significant
act, the reproach that Republics are ungrateful.
When those who participate in to-days pageant
shall have all gone to their last account, the Statue
of Clay will still stand, memorial of the love
which free people ever eherishes for an unselish
patriot.