New-York tribune., 1871-04-12
IASTDAYS OF HENRY CLAY.


riaCe. containing two persons with cOachman.
one of these persons was the feeble and much ema-
ciated Henry Clay the statesman and Senator of
kentucky. The other was his faithful boy Charles,
his only attendant. Mr.. Clay from his feeble health
had left his Lexington home the day before, re-
NAMED night at his favorie watering place, the
Blue Lick Springs, KY. and arrived in Maysvlle
at 10 o'clock next morning He stopped at the ho'el
OF Mrs. Tureman. one of the best and kindeSt OF
ladies. who prepared room for him, to when
he at once repaired. and being much fahgued
he threw himself upon the bed. Mr. Clay then IN
quired of Mrs. Tureman who were her guestsf Mrs.
Tureman mentioned a number of names, among
them the writer, Mr.. Stevenson and Mr.. Mar
shall Mr.. Clay then requested that we myself and
the abOve-named gentlemen would come to his
room. We at once repaired there and found him
lying upon his bed, much Frustrated, but very
cheerful.
Mr. Clay said to us that he had come to Maysville
for the purpose of taking steamboat to Wheeling,
Va. on his way to Washington and desired to have
some friends remain with him till the boat
came up from Cincinnati Yielding to Mr..
Clays wishes for it was to us sad pleas
ure). we remained Mr.. Clay then said: When
first went to Congress- members of that body DID
not live as they do now, but in clubs. Then we re-
manned more at home. after the labors of the DAY
were over than members of Congress do at pres
ent: and now | would to say to you my frleldS
that at one time one of the members OF my cIup'
being in ill-heath am now said TO us tms Drother
roemhers that whenever he said Wolf they were TO
remain quiet have now only TO repeat the SAINT 10
YOU gentlemen. feeling that it will be complied Win.
Il afforded rs much pleasure to comply strictly with his
wish feeling that there in presence the person
of the great statesman life fast ebbing and
who would be remembered by his cOuntrymen as the
great orator and friend OF liberty throughout the world
Mr. Clay had known for many years, and as rest
and relreshment had revived him. he spoke to me-
not-as he remarkei-as politician, but as young man
about TO take upon himself with Others the cares and
troubles Of life, and perhaps of the country
The fathers of our country" said Mr. Clay, "have
nj passed away To them belongs the honor OF cstab-
snng free institutions this continent to the younger
men OF country belongs its future The past must
serve as guide the future and although our country
must and will pass through many trials, changes, and
difficulties and even war; growing out of questions which
have existed for many years and which remain unsettled
and though shall not be here look 10 the young men
OF our country hold fast to the liberties our fathers
have given them aud permit Ot title to
he taken from them "There are" continued Mr.
Clay persons in country who talk about dis
solving the union of the States because 1t Is
not exactly suited to their ideas OF what they call
free government, in other words, the independent
sovereignty of the States Many of the leading Of
Southern States had been led to this conclusion. be-
levng perhaps honestly that what promoted the in
Of their States should first receive their at
tcnon without regard to the of the States, thus
leaving each State to do that which would promote its
own interest without regard to the remainder OF the
states as a whole. The cry. for instance, has been
raised against Protection TO the manufactures OF our
country that il should only be incidental in of
Invasion &c. Here is the danger ana it becomes every
man and woman Of our common country TO have single
eve to the Union Of all the States and to keep them to-
gether a whole under all circumstances, that the
future historian of country shall never write that at
such time this that state blOtted out from the
Union because il claimed the right to govern itself indie
pcndenty Of the other States To prevent this and TO
hold every State in its place, in the Union, is worth
fighting for should II be necessary, which may God
forbid The union OF these States worth more than all
the blood that may be shed to preserve them for here IN
America the first principles of civil and religious liberty
were established by fathers il cost them the sacrifice
muoh blood treasure and suffering, to gain and main
tain They did maintain IT, and now IL becomes the true
j .....-- ssEvt~t- - ~
a q hazards" "I shall be gone myself" proceeded Mr.
Cay but will not doubt that those who come after
will maintain the true principles OF civil and religious
liberty for all time I'm this favored land"
Mr. Clay also said that there two great questions
which were constantly exciting the attention of the
American people. One OF these the question OF
Slavery. which had existed from the first settlement of
the country: the other the great American idea of
Protecting Industry. OF the first he could only
say that being identified with from his earliest reco
lections circumstances in life led him TO support il
but he grew older and acquired more experience, and
had observed that Slavery was incompatible with
institutions like ours his mind on this subject had
changed and he hoped that the dscernment Of those
who believed in and advocated Slavery would lead them
finally to do away with the institution Till hen difficult
would continue TO out Of it, and perhaps be lnsur
1nountable but he trusted in the intelligence and good
a1lx xspffp hig
ton to the satisfaction and happiness Of all the States
This was a question OF time, he said; and he regretted
that he had advocated the Fugitive Slave law, because
Che people did not understand it, and had caused much
difficulty.
other question was said Mr. Clay the part he took
in compromising the Tariff law, which produced nul-
cation in South Carolina "For," said Mr. Clay, If the
Tariff law was wrong then it should have been repealed
,n totO by my not advocating its repeal at that tme
Al was wrong, made fatal mistake AS 1t was, be
took the side Of compromise TO quiet South Carolina and
restore peace to her. His views he observed respecting
the American system for the protection of home manu-
5actures well known 10 the country; therefore he
could be made believe that Tariff for this purpose
was at any time wrong. Ours is a widespread and ex
tensye country possessing the materials the genius and
enterprise for successfully conducting manufactures and
unless sought TO develop the raw materials
which our country possessed he did not think
we could call ourselves free and independent nation
Il we do not the genius and industry for our own
advantage (which the very spirit OF our institutions
requires us to do shall be left to the tender mercies
Of other nations supply necessary wants. while our
own peope will left, tillers of the soil, TO
ceiye perhaps an inadequate return for their labor
"a our country would have TO come in competition with
the remainder OF the world in their products especially
those OF the field 1T bad enough he continues, for
individuals to compromise but nations should never do
90 especiay in domestic affairs II settles nothing but
only secures repose for the time being"
This question of Tariff or Protection for home manu-
factnres said Mr. Clay, ais which has interested
some OF the greatest minds of cur country For years
have given much attention it, looking upon 1t as the
great American question, and as involving the life ana
Ours ia a large and