Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-04-18
MEMPHIS TENN. TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL lS 1871 b

and based upon free Constitution, un-
der which civil and religious liberty was
so fully enjoyed that he sometimes felt
that the people would grow careless and
forget the great privileges they enjoyed; I;
but he hoped the great aim Of the peo-
pie would be intelligence. This must be
done through the medium of the school
house, Of which there never conld be
too many in the United States. "Edu-
cate the people" said Mr.. Clay, and
the Republic of America will standi
leave them in ignorance, and it viii fall. =
The fathers of our country knew the
value Of knowledge, and its necessity
for a Government like ours; let us re-
member them and emulate their example
in educating the people, so that this fa-
yored country shall forever be kept to-
gether as Union Of States, free, happy,
and intelligent affording an example for
all nations to follow. The free institu-
tions of America afford more and greater
opportunities for moral and religious in
struction than any other 1a
Mr.. Clay, in speaking Of his religious
views said that when we we're young we
looked upon time as being very long,
and sVere apt to put off matters Of great
consequence to us. Although he had
never forgotten the great Author of his
being, he perhaps had fallen into this
error growing more, perhaps, out of the
many attractions and exeitements that
surrounded him; but now he said he had
found that, rs time advanced, ard he
grew older, the attractions of early life
grew less, and he had not time enough
to attend TO these matters which con-
cerned all so much Respecting our
future life, said he, textually, how
ever, hope that have done some good
during the time have lived, and trust
that the attention / have given of late
respecting my future will entitle me to
happy home in another and better
world. There is something within me
that tells me of a future state. This
frail and failing body Of mine tells me
that this is not my home for, while the
body fails, the mind grows stronger, and |
points us TO that place where we shall |
forever rest free from all troubles God |
rules. His hand is in everything and |
points to that preparation which all |
should make, not upon the principle |
that there is time enough, but that it is
too short leave myself in the hands
Of God and His promised love, through |
the Redeemer Of the world
We placed the great statesman on |
board the little steamer Allegheny Belle,
bound for Wheeling, Va, on his way to |
Washington, at ten o'clock at night II
asked Mr.. Clay why he was going to
Washington in such bad health. He |
said he had little to say there,
when he would try to get back to Ken
lucky again. We all felt that it was the
wish of Mr.. Clay to close his life with
his harness on in Washington, as many
other distinguished men had done before
him, which proved too true finally.
Thus ended the last twelve hours stay |
of the great statesman and patriot, the |
honored Henry Clay, in his much-loyed
State of Kentucky.
= From recollections mainly / am en-
abled to state what Mr.. Clay said to me
on that, to me, melancholy occasion, in
substance rs well as expression. Being
with Mr. Clay most of the entire day, he
became very talkative, and expressed
himself very fully on various subjects,
particularly leading national questions,
rs II nc ltlJ IudJ ne SuUulu never nave
another opportunity to do so, which he
had not.
l had known Mr.. Clay for many years.
He knew that was not a politician; for
that reason he seemed disposed to ex-
press himself more freely to me than
perhaps he otherwise would. Tho
dead, Henry Clay still speaks.
BENJAMIN f. PENSIMAN.
New York, 1871.