The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-04-09
Ciay-s Maiden speech

In November, lI97. Mr. Clay come
to the then little village of Lexington,
KY, leaning alone on Providence, a
widowed mothers prayers and the
untutored talents with which God
had been pleased 10 bless him He
opened law Office Immediately on
his arrival but he did not engage for
some time in the duties Of his pro-
/ fession. For the purpose of improve
ment in debate, he joined a village
club; but for a long time he took no
part in it, proceedings. He seemed,
TO them who knew him slightly, to
lack vig0r and energy. was then slen-
der and Of apparent feeble cOnstitu-
ton. But, even at that time, it was
remarked, BY a distinguished literary
gentleman of Lexington, that Mr..
Clay's colloquial style was more ha-
bitually correct and elegant than that
of any other young man he had ever
I known. his fellow members Of the
society, who knew his ability in this
respect, were surprised at his unbrOk-
en- silence at all their meetings; and
remark he whispered to his neigh
/ Dor, one evening after a long debate,
just as the question was about TO be
taken, that the Subject-did not seem
TO him to have been exhausted, ap-
pears to have awakened unusual at
tentiOn. His words were heard BY
several, and the chairman was re-
quested not to put the question then,
as Mr. Clay would speak He was
thus directly called upon, and mani
Tested extreme embarrassment He
had never before made an attempt at
public speaking, and seemed difident
and distrustful of his own abilities in
an unusual degree. He had. without
doubt. framed and uttered in his closet
many a speech fitted for, but never
pronounced in, the halls of justice !;
for this was betrayed by his opening
words. He lacked confidence to keep
his seat and as be rose and, with
marked confusion, attemptedtO speak
Gentleman Of the Jury" We're the
first words that fell from his lips.
His mistake disturbed him the more,
and he blundered them out again.
But, seeing the sympathy Of his audi
ence, who appreciated his feelings
and were unwilling to add to his en-
barrassment by seeming to notice it,
their courtesy gave him confidence !;
be shook off his timidity and launch
ed forth into an oration Of great log
zeal strength, Of extreme beauty Of
diction, and Of thrilling eloquenee,
which excited the admiration and the
prOfoundest respect of his hearers.
Thus was sounded that voice which,
/ like stirring trumpet, arOusing to all
that Is noble in action and patriotic
in feeling, has for nearly half a cen
tury pealed throughout the length
and breadth Of our land. After this
Mr. Clav was a constant attendant
upon the debate Of the society. and
became at once one of its most active
members. His voice mingled in every
discussion, and he took good care to
make thorough preparation upon
every topic of debate his arguments
always bore marks ofcareful thought,
and evinced close reasoning and 4
remarkable power of eloquent express
sion. He soon threw Off the timiditv
which at first had so badly perplexed
him, and acquired that perfect self
command and readiness ofreply which,
upon so MANY important occasions in
after life, he has exhibited, alike to
the admiration Of Others and to his
own advantage-Nemojr Of Henry
!. CiGt
! We hope all who receive this pa
per NAV studiously read the above
article and ttoughtfuIly ponder over
it. Ii contains two useful lessons
I one to those who are Just entering the
threshold Of a Lyceum; another to
those who are thoroughly identified
with it. 1t teaches the first to per-
severe through blunder and disap-
pointment until they succeed; and
it shows them plainly that a man with
a steadfast purpose cannot fail and
will not finch. 1t tells the second
to make a thorough preparation, give
their subject careful thought, if they
would acquire the parts of a good de-
bate; and this was the keynote of
Clay's success; it was the desire TO
be thorough in everything that made
him the master orator of the Senate
and the champion Proteetionist ofthe
time. And this
experience of Clay's teaches us the
Importance of encouraging those who
are backward, diffident and embarrass-
ed. The members of a Lyceum should
not appear to notice the first. awkward
attempts of green speaker; any-
thing like smile or a burst of laugh.
ter at his expense should be frowned
down by those who are interested in
the cause.
I Il is a fact worth noting, that while
in most Of the savings banks in Mas
[ SachusettS the male deOosifOrS greatly