The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-08-15
TERMs--S2,OO

by Mr. Breckenridge, in his veto message, from
which the following extract is made.
This bill will, in effect, confer gratnity.
whilst nominally making provision for the trans
| portation ofthe mails OF the United States
| "fo provide for making a donation Of such
magnitude, and to give to the arrangement the
character of permanence which this bill propo-
ses, would be to deprive commercial enterprise
of the benefits Of free competition, and to estab-
lish monopoly. in violation Of the soundest
principles Of public policy, and Il dr. b.fui tsm-
patlbility with the Constitution"
Not receiving the requisite two thirds on the
taking of the vote on the receipt of the veto
message, the bill tailed to become law. 'r-
The little opportunity afforded Mr.. Breckin-
ridge. owing to the universal acquesence Of the
Democratic party in the tariff Of ls46. to parti-
cipate in any Congressional discussion upon
that subject, accounts foI the absence from his
record OF anything with reference thereto, ex.
cept in single and important instance ,,.s3
In 1854 an immense lobby congregated at
Washington, in pay of the vast interests desi.
ring the repeal ofthe duty on railroad iron, with
the selfish purpose of enriching themselves out
ofthe immense amount of the depletion in the
revenues Of the country which would follow
their success.
Mr. Breckenridge being opposed to special leg
iSlation in all its forms, but more particularly
where it proposed to disturb a well-composed
system of acquiring revenue at the, mere de-
mand OF rich capitalists, and always opposing q
firm resistance TO the march OF the lobbyist a.
gainst the integrity oflegislation, took an active
part in defeating the bill for that purpose, and
succeeded by his untiring energy and great infiu.
snce in the House in killing it.
His tribute to the character and services of
Henry Clay, upon introducing resolutions
ofsespect to his memory, the day after his
death in Washington, was the most beautiful
touching, and eloquent ever delivered in the
Halls OF Congress. When the tall, manly, and
dignified form ofthe young orator arose to effer
the resolutions, every eye was turned upon him;
breathlsss silence peryaded the Hall and the
auditory in the galleries. and as he portrayed.
Gin thoughts that breathe and words that burn"
the virtues and Talents Of the iIlustrious orator
of Kentucky and mourned the atoms loss of
this great man, many an eye was bathed in tears,
and many bosom heaved with emotion, in re.
sponse to the glcwinw culogy upon the depart.
ed statesman orator, and patriot.
The hand Of no master ever painted mora
faithful, life like portrait than is to found in
the vivid delineation Of the character Of the
unFivaled orator and statesman, Henry Clay,
when Mr.. Breckenridge said:
"As leader in deliberatiye, Mr.. CLAY had
no equal in America. In him, intellect, person,
eloquence and courage united to form charac.
ter titto command. He fred with his own enthu.
siasm and controlled by his amazing will. indi-
vidua!s and masses No reverse conld crush
his spirit nor defeat reduce him to despair L.
qually erect and dauntless in prosperity and ad.
versity-when successful, he moved TO the ac.
complishment of his purposes with more resolu.
ton; when defeated, he rallied his broken bands
around him, and from his eagle eye shot along
their ranks the contagion of his own courage.
Destined for leader, he every where asserted
his destiny. In his long and eyentlul life he
came In contact with men 0fall ranks and pro.
LESSONS, but he never felt that he was in thu
presence of a man superior to himself In the
assemblies Of the people, at the bar, in the Sen.
ate, everywhere within the circle of his personal
presence, be assumed and, maintained a posi.
tion Of pre-eminence. #,ss9 st 5NS
"But the supremacy ofMr CLAY as party
leader was not his only nor his highest title to
That title is to be found in the nurely
patriotic spirit which on great occasions, always
signalized his conduct. We have had no states.
man who, in the periods of real and imminent
public peril, has exhibited more genuine and
patriotism than Henry Clay. Whenever ques-
ton presented itsel: actually threatening the
existence Of the Union, Mr. Clay, rising above
The passions of the hour, always exerted ahis'
powers to solve it, peacefully and honorably.
Although more liable than most men, from his
lmpetuous and ardent nature, to feel strong
ly the passions common to us all, it was his
rare faculty. to be able to subdue them ia q
great crisis, and to hold towards all sections OF
the Coniederacy the ladguage Of concord broth.
erhood r. r Fspg
"Sir, it will be proud pleasure to every
true American heart to remember the great oc-
casions when Mr. Clay has displayed a sublime
the ill-temper engendered by
the times and the miserable iealousies OF othe
day seemed to have been driven from his bosom
by the repulsive power Of fnobler ieelings--when
every throb Of his heart was given to his coun.
try, every effort Of his intellect dedicated ITO
her service. Who does not remember the three
periods when the American system of govern
ment was exposed to its severest trials; and
who does not know, that when history shall
relate the struggles which preceded and the
dangers which were averted by the Missouri
the Tariff compromise of 1882, and
the adjustment Of 1885, the same pages will
record the genius, the eloquence, and the pat
riotism OF Henry Clay. X jass n TYtsa
"Ihe life OF Mr.. Clay sir,is striking example
Of the abiding tame which surely awaits the di-
rect and candid statesman. The entire absence
Of eqnvocatioD or disguise in all his acts was his
master key to the popular heart; for, whileythe
people will forgive the errors Of a bold and open
nature, he sins past forgiveness who deliberate
ly deeeiyes them. Hence. Mr., Clay, though Of.
ten defeated in his measures OF policy, always
secured the respect ofhisopponents, without To-
sing the confidence of bis friends. He never
paltered in double sense. Tho country was
never in doubt as to his opinions or his purpo-
ses. In all the contests OF his tina, his position
on great public Questions was as clear as the
sun IN cloudleSS sky.ya23 bt.!3ssstp EttI.A
"slr, standing by the grave oi this great man
aud consider ng these things, how eontempti.
BILE docs appear the edgerdemain, Of politics!
What reproach is his life on that hlse' policy
which would tri1e with great and upright
people! If | were TO wright his epitaph.
would inscribe, as the highest eulogy, on the
stone which shall mark bis final resting-place:
Here lies . man who was ID the public service
or fifty years, and never attempted TO deceive
MS countrymen.' \ " ,.,s. ,ss,s ~.
L. Al.