The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-08-27

remarkably musical and varied in its
tones, was scarcely equal to Mr.. Clay's
IN compass, was not so emphatic, and
| could not strike with so much force,
nor was it capable of so great expansion
m its deep organ tones. Though Mr..
Clay was very tall, and usually stood
very ere ct, he never seemed stiff, as
Mr.. Calhoun often appeared. His ges-
lures were abundant, easy, appropriate.
very impressive, and yet always grace
full as well as dignifed. He never
strove, as some speakers do, to make an
impression by the exhibition of bodily
force. He was always animated, often
imprisoned. Whether he seemed to
be addressing himself wholly and earn
estly to the presiding officer, or threw
the glances of his bright, blue eye over
the audience, by his animated, varied.
and earnest tones, and by his graceful
and sometimes commanding gesticula-
ton, he kept the undivided attention of
his hearers. He appeared like cham
pion in battle, delivering his blows
right and left, and enlisted the feelings of
hisauditors on his side 50 completely that
they seemed to regard it as their right,
and was ready to shout over each success
won. Mr.. Clay was, perhaps, least
felicitous when he attempted to utter
merely handsome things, and to make
poetical quotations. He did not use
well such prettiness as Sergeant S.
Prentiss would Gull from poets and
nOvelists, and with them entertain an
audience without ever producing deep
impression on it. Mr.. Clay appeared
to the greatest advantage when repelling
personal attacks, or when discussing
topics directly connected with the honor,
the safety, or the liberties of the coun-
try. His high sense of personal honor,
his Gauntless courage, and at times
naughty daring, with his great public
spirit and ardent patriotism, rendered
him often imposingly grand. It was
not the possession of these powers
alone, remarkable as they were, that
made him the greatest parliamentary
man in the world. He was a good
fighter, and could take care of himself
in every kind of debate. That he was
at times as great an actor as Lord
Chatham himself, will be evident to one
who merely reads his eloquent and
patriotic appeal to Mr.. Van Buren, in
1884 to use his influence with President
y dShG0A W 4AOuCC u1L1 W I0SGOT0 bn0
deposits, or, at a later period, his
description of the interview between
the democratic senators and John Tyler.
Those men whom he could not drive by
force he often won by his unrivaled
tact and address. He, however, lost
in the estimation of the
country by the occasional exercise
of these powers, for his perfect
high courage and public
spirit relieved him from all censure.
Such means, when used at times to
secure great and honorable objects,
were viewed merely as we do the efforts
of skillful horseman, who, to manage
a fiery steed, is equally ready to use the
spur or to coax the animal. No man
ever lived who was more prompt to
repel all that was not alike honest,
honorable and manly.
The session closed on the 4th of
March, and owing to the pressure of
business / had not seen
Mr.. Clay for many days. Such was his
health, that it seemed doubtful if he
would again return to Washington. The
senate was detained by some executive
business, and was for a while sitting
with open doors during the considera-
ton of contested election case. Not
being willing to leave without seeing
Mr.. Clay, I walked in, and after the
usual salutation, said to him, 81 called
last evening to see you, but you were
out" 81 am very sorry" he replied,
where he had been; "come
this evening. But no, " said he, seeming
TO recollect suddenly, 81 am to dine
with Sir Henry Bulwer but you must
come and see me tomorrow evening""
50 No, 1 replied, 81 leave in the morn
ing. I only called to bid you farewell.
[ shall be a candidate for reelection,
but you know that politics are uncertain
and we may not meet again. wish
you to know that, though I have of late
opposed some of your measures, the
greater part of my life has been devoted
to the effort to make you president"
wonderful change instantly came over
his countenance. It seemed as if the
remark called up to his mind the images
Of thousands of friends who had labor
ed so long, so ardently, and 30 vainly
for his promotion. The tears fell on
his flushed cheeks, he covered his eyes
with his hands fer moment, suddenly
himself, and taking me by
both hands, said, in a subdued voice,
81 know it, my dear fellow, and am very
grateful for it."
The disappointment was equally
shared by Webster and Calhoun. They
all, however, had the good fortune to
die while their great intellects were still
in their meridian splendor, "before
decays effacing fingers" had robbed
them of single element of strength or
grandeur. Mr.. Calhoun's last speech
ranks among mis- best efforts. When it
was impressively read by Mr.. Mason in
a fine masculine voice, as Mr.. Calhoun
sat by his side, thin and pale as marble,
the movements of his brow, the active
and incessant compression of his lips,
his rapid chances from senator to sena-
tor, with an eye as bright as that of the
wounded eagle, told Enthusiastically that
there was no cloud on his intellect, and
hat his noble heart was still unbroken. |
More than an hour passed alone with
Mr.. Clay shortly before his death, as he
ay on a sofa, because too feeble to sit |
1p, and with cough so distressing that |
{ was almost impossible for him to |
utter complete sentence, showed that |
while his mind was oppressed by fore |
bodings of great evil to the country, his |
intellect was undimmed, and the deep |
current of his patriotism rolled with |
volume.