The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-08-08

Washington" he said, Notwithstanding
the lofty position he had attained in
the history of his times, must still be
regarded, according to the opinion of his
early contemporaries, as man of superior
Judgment, rather than of genius" GA
distinction" whispered Mr.. Clayton to the
gentleman next him, "somewhat meta
physical and Southern" When I was
Secretary of War;" said Mr.. Calhoun, 81
was told by an officer of the Revolutionary
army, who knew General Washington, that
his ruling passions were love of fame, love
of women, and love of money. I men,
toned this to Col. Munroe, and he said it
was true" Glove of money-avarce ~
interjected Mr.. Clay, "the last and meanest
Of the three"
Mr.. Clay, noticed, did not say much;
he seemed gracefully to yield the privilege
of leading the conversation to his guests,
only now and then starting 4 topic. Gen
eral Santander's difficulty with the English
language came very near causing an awk-
ward blunder, from which Mr.. Clay was
rescued by his ready apprehension. Ad-
dressing Gen. Santander, he said: "Gen-
eral, will you have some wine? Here is
pale sherry and there stands some old
Madeira; which would you prefer ?''-
ooh" said the General, "it-is-no-dif-
ference" "Ah," rejoined Mr.. Clay, "you
belong to the tempe" supposing for the
instant he had declined; then catching in
the same breath his true meaning and
correcting himself, Immediately added,
Allow me to pour you a glass of sherry"
1t was amusing to observe the alertness
with which he recovered his equipoise.
Such small incidents sometimes reveal
interesting traits Of character. A portion
of bottle of champagne, of which his
servant was drawing the cork, was scat
tered over his arm and shoulder AS lie
wiped it off with his handkerchief he said
in pleasant tone of voice, GA very good
thing, James, in the right place; fill the
glasses" The guests remained at the table
unit! after nine o'clock, and their indul-
gence i'll wine was, observed, very moder-
ate. Mr.. Clay played the role of host
excellently we'll.
The day preceding I had heard him in
the Senate discussing bill in relation to
some branch of the tariff. The occasion
was not of such Importance as to call forth
any great effect. His utterance was de-
liberate, but flowing, his articulation per-
feet, and his voice was of such volume as
without any apparent exertion to fill the
Senate chamber. 1t was not only powerful
but musical, and it was completely under
his control. He remarked to Won Raumur,
in his interview, that his voice never failed
him, but enabled him always to convey his
whole meaning with whatever coloring of
fancy or feeling he desired to impart. On
the occasion have mentioned there was a
peculiar attraction in the quality of his
voice, something which commanded atten-
ton, but was chiefly impressed with his
graceful action and elfpossession. A
common phrase will exactly express my
idea he was perfectly cat home' ON the
floor of the Senate.
Take him ''for all in all, Mr.. Clay must
be ranked as the first debater of his day, if
not of his country. During the excite
ment of notification, strenuous partisan
of the South, after hearing one of his noble
arguments in the Senate in defence of the
Constitution and the Union, exclaimed:
"Confound him l would rather have
made that speech than be President of the
limited States - T.