The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-12
HENRY CLAY'S BIRTHDAY.


This day is the anniversary of the birth of the
great American Commoner, Henry Clay. We
know of no particular movement in this city to
commemorate the event. but in sister South
ern cities of Richmond and New Orleans statues of
the deceased statesman will be inaugurated with
imposing military and civic ceremonies.
The following article, taken from the Richmond
Dispatch, is pertinent to the occasion for more than
In the honors which are about to be bestowed
upon the memory of Henry Clay, in the Inaugural
ton of statues in this city and in New Orleans, in
the enthusiasm with which his birthday is annual
ly observed, and the emotions which the bare
mention of his name awakens in so many hearts, a
lesson is inculcated which the oung and ambitious
may proftably consider. The names which are
uppermost in American memories those of
men whose personal qualities, without any aid
from official influence, have attracted to them the
popular heart, such as Henry Clay, Andrew Jack
and John C. Calhoun. Andrew Jackson, it is
true, was President, but he derived none of his
hold upon the affections of his countrymen from
his occupancy of that position. 1t is "Old Hick-
ory," who is immortal, the of iron will,
prompt decision indomitable courage, impulsive
and generous, gentle and winning nature. The
President is forgotten in the man, only remem-
bered as position which the man dignifed and
made illastrious. That office is grand and lofty
one, but the figure that is placed upon such a
towering and ma estic pedestal must itself, be of
corresponding proportions, or it only exctes ridi-
cule and contempt.
Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun never attained
the station which each would have graced, and
yet, if they had attained it, they could not have
stood higher than now in the estimation of their
friends. They admired more than most of
those who have filled the Office, and will be longer
remembered. The future historian will devote
more attention to them, and they will fill larger
space in the eye of posterty, than the majority OF
Presidents. Even if Presidents were chosen, as
they ought to be, account of being the first
men in intellect and public virtue in the Republic,
few in any age could be found who would compare
in craftsmanship and patriotism with those we have
mentioned; but when it becomes the acknowledged
custom to choose candidate for the Presidency on
account of bis availability, and without reference
to his superior qualifications, the ''post of honor
is emphatically "a private station" and sucn men
as Clay, Webster and Calhoun derive more
credit from the neglect than the favor of polid-
clans.
For, to be an available candidate, implies a
capacity of 'crooking the pregnant hinges of the
knee" of being all things to all men, of trucking
to the prejudices and passions OF the populace, oil
sacrificing principle tn expediency, which rarely
characterizes of first rate powers; or, where
it does aixes to his character the ndelible stamp
| of demagogue, and divests him of all claim tc
| true greatness. In general the ''availables' are
available because of their obscurity, inferiority
and suppleness of principle and conscience. A
man of eminent abilities would dsdan to be elect
ed to the highest Office on the face of the earth or
| any such ground. low long are these Available
remembered after they have left office? And a.
the numberof Presidents increases with the increas
ing age of the Republic, the dignity of the position
will become less and less, until an ex-Presiden
Will command little more respect fifty years hence
than an ex-Congressman does now. Let the younl
men OF the country who are capable of great thing
and ambitious of lasting fame, contemplate th
example of Henry Clay, who, with powers capabl
OF adorning the Presidency, would rather be righ
than be President, and, in cleaving to the right
gained nobler and more enduring reputation
'than the Presidency could ever have conferred.
One IN AUTHORITY TURNED AUrHoR.-A Washing
ton correspondent of the New Orleans Picayun
says: ''The President of the United States, in tn
course OF conversation with himself, few day
ago, expressed an intention of writing some re
miniscences of his own career. in Congress an
abroad. Mr.. Buchanan is desirous of leaving o.
! record some notes of the prominent public men
with whom, at different periods of bis life, he ba
been associated" .-...t...
The great revival in Ireland has resulted in tn
| conversion of 100, 600 persons.