Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-13


not survive It only the ord of the lion heart and
eagle eve who could make his way among the bold and
energetic pioneers of Western lie and he became the
idol Of that people of whom he at once the mirror
and the exemplar Frank gallant, cordial and warm
hearted he their affections bold and resolute as
themselves he commanded and retained their entire con-
fdence. With one bound he took his position as an adj
the front rank Of the legal proiession-and in
the primary meetings of the people, by his simple,
straightforward unaffected eloquence, he controlled
masses of men who would have laughed the tin
sci OF the rhetorician. His first speech national az
fairs was in reference to the Alien and SeditOn Laws.
The people listened in unbroken silence but the power OF
the orator had stirred the feelings of the multitude to
their depths and at its close he was seized and
borne in triumph through the streets OF lexington
From that moment his course was onward and upward
Kentucky never refused him any office in her gift and
oener bestowed them without solicitation. Well might
his uterance fail and his feelings overpower him. when
in 1912 he attempted to express his gratitude to State
which had embraced him with parental iondnes caress-
ed him though he had been ayorte son, paronized
him with unbOunded munhcence, and when assailed by
the of the world nerpOsed her broad and impene-
trabc shield and repealed the poisonous shafts aimed for
his destruction.
Mr. Claws thoughts were early turned as we have
SEEM national affairs and especially the dangers
which then threatened infant Republic. In the pres
en time of rapid and easy Intercourse between all parts
OF vast countrywhen the journey that occupied
weeksis performed readily and without fatigue in day
scarcely DO justice the statesman who contend
ed fifty years ago for the construction OF works OF inter-
nal Improvement by the General Government At the
close Of the Revolution ours was a small population,
thinly scattered immense area the different
munites separated by unbroken forests mountainous
barriers and unmproved rivers. Washington and JEFF
terson at deeply impressed with the incacua-
BILE Importance the vital necessity, of connecting the
Western with the Eastern Territories Beyond and above
the commercial interests the nigh political consd
erdtions involved With the Spaniards their right
and the English their lett it feared that the peO
pie Of the West would be lured into commercial treat
les with one or both Of those nations, which
would az once draw a fatal line OF separation between
them and their Eastern brethren. Hence the necessity,
as Washington said in his letter Governor Harrison OF
applying the of interest to bind all parts of the
Union togeher-especaly of uniting that part which
lies Immediately West of TO the middle States. The
way plain he said avoid the threatened danger.
Immediate interest aud remote political advantages prov
ed the necessity of extending the inland navigation OF the
Eastern waters connecting them far possible with
the Western and thus binding those people 10 US, as he
hoped by a chain which could never be broken.
Kentucky was the especial object Of solicitation the
part Of Spain in her effort TO ALLEVIATE the West from the
Union and some of the more impatient spirits of that
State believing that their local interest had long been
neglected if not Systematically betrayed especially in
reference 10 the navigation of the Mississippi seemed,
ready TO urge the separation and independence Of the
whole country West OF the Aleghanies Louisiana soon
afterwards passed the possession OF the French and
all dangers to our Union in that quarter disspaed
by It's purchase under the auspices OF Mr. Jefferson and
the great Valley having secured outlet 10 the the
South naturally desired 10 complete the purpose project
ed by Washington in securing closer connection with
the East
IL may be subject of wonder almost Of mrth to Us that
Spain should have been able any alarm hesub
iect of Unon-bu teach US valuable lesson OF
humility when contrast her present with performer con
dOn and remember that feel not more secure IN our
naughty strength than she did 10 her pride and power
l. hon 1itfla tho of
past age suspected the "rrepressibe conflicts" Of the
present They feared that the Republic would break TO
pieces from its weight the lack Of conference, the
isolation of its pirts-thcv sought accordingly to dmin
ISL or oberate The natural obstacles which divided
people ln Tie simplicity of their patriotism they be-
eycd that intimacy would be the parent OF fendship-
Il was reserved for modern statesmen OF very differ
eut type to discover the evils OF closer connection and
TO warn us OF the hatred which mus, spring from
perfect Mon
Adopting naturally the policy projected n.the purer
age aud by the sages OF the Republic Mr. Clay became
NJ once the champion of that cause which involved the
highest and best interests as he believed OF his i'm
mediate secon aud in scarcely less degree Of the whole
country.
Coupled with this devotion to internal improvements
Was bis desire to build up the manufactures OF his
try important element OF independence These he
considered the light and left hands OF power. the Co
oull system OF Great Britain had deprived of the
power Of manufacturing the materials we produced.
and bis sympathy with the struggling Colonies, had de
carcd that we should not be allowed TO make a hobna
for ourselves. The noise of trip hammers and rolling
mills would have been considered quite reasonable
Patrick Hcnrys deuunciatou OF George the Third and
when had achieved our freedom, impeled by
pride principle aud feeling TO build up manufac-
lures, aud thus fully demonstrate our independence of
country whose fabrics regarded the badges OF
ssryitgde.
This rapid glance at his earlier political life its theatre
nrf Mr. VIII
policy, steadily mainlaiued-at least never departed
from except when for the sake of peace 10 seemed
cessrv TO sacrifice something of policy; for he might
well say with the Atheuan orator that he sometimes
went contrary to himself but the Republic.
To strengthen aud perpetuae our Union; TO make it
independent Of all other nations; to bud It's different
parts together by noble roads-the Appan aud Eamin-
isn Ways of the Western Republic TO clear cut itsrv
crs connect is lakes; 20 extend its internal and
p-ud It's external commerce-thcse were the anlmatng
objects OF Henry Chys craftsmanship when he stepped
upon the stage OF national legislation.
He soon had the opportunity 10 prove that his patriot
did lack the heroic element that he keen
Is alive to the honor az the material prosperity of his
country IL may almost be said that he declared the
second war against Great Britain His speeches were So
many trumpet calls his c0untrymen repel the systc
matte iu-oeuCe aud tyranny of "a government which
hoped that since Washington was gone, might be
reduced again by force fraud colonial vussalage-
an the mauag OF this question: Mr.. Clay exhibited
so many qualities of great commauder-urged feeble
and almost PROSTATE country TO take up against
mighty power with such sublime audlcty that it was Sc
rously contemplated fnotactuay proposed by Mr. Mad
isou place him at the head OF oCr army. The design
abandoned because his services in Congress ndspen
sable. is only left for imagine how far he would
have been able 10 avoid the disasters which
fell upon in the commencement OF the conflict
We should Doe mindful OF the which We may ex
pose ourselves by becoming prophets Of the past nor
should forget how many instances age fur
ushes of the biting truth Of the sentence passd by the
historian Galba, "OUUtjGH c0HSslSU cdpdr uHDsrj
-aisi imperasse'-bu. Of this may rest assured,
that he would have justified on a sterner field what he
claimed in the civic contest when he thanked his God
that he had given him a spirit which feared nothing but
its Maker. The example OF a serene inrepidy, or il
necessary O! daring courage would have been offered
10 soldiers. Fortune" Bossuet said, would
have had power over him, either in the evils he fore
saw or in those which surprised him His would have
been the spirit Of the undaunei aud daunte-s Hector
who neither asked nor cared Tor signs omens, or
Iuspices-
"wihou. sign, his sword the brave man draws,
And asks no omea but his Countrys cause"
The honor Of the country indicated Mr. Clay called
to take part in the negotiations Client which led to the
treaty OF peace 1t matter of history that to him we
indebted tor deprvng Great Britain of the free
cation Of the Mssissipp-a preension very eiectuily
posed of shortly alter the signing OF the treaty. but
before rs arrival in this country by the brilliant victory
of New Orleans. may mention here bearing the
probable value OF the submarine telegraph that the oh
uoxious Orders in Council which constituted the salient
point in controversy with England had been revoked
many days before the declaration Of plrtand
peace had been conclude several weeks before the bat
tie of the Eighth of January
Returning TO America, Mr. Clay welcomed by the
pauds Of the whole country and reSuming his place in
Congress- under what he regarded the greater ncce
~ renewed his plans for the encouragement OF domestic