The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1882-04-29
THIBODAUX, IL. SATURDAY, APRIL 29~ 1882
Henry Clay.

'O JOotOANNv PuO'i"uNN " O''N'A
quotation from a lecture by Mr..
John Wentworth, showing the
delicate vet cOnsiderate sympa
thy extended by their friends to
both Henry Clay and Daniel Web
ster. 1t is we'll known that these
gifted gentlemen had little capaci
ty for gathering and retaining
this worlds goods. and were
therefore frequently involved in
financial difficulties. But against
such troubles the friends of the
two great orators provided with
generous libeiaIity. After Web
sters splendid effort in 1850, his
speech was highly enlcglzed at n
public dinner in Washington. and
Mr.. Clay being present, was ask
ed it, in his opinion, Mr.. Web
ster's influence had no: been
greatly impaired by h,s allowing
certain wealthy men Of Massachu
settS TO settle an annuity upon
him rs consideration for aban
dOning his practice land devo,ing
his time to public duties. Nj.
! Clay replied: ''Iu view of the
fact that | have myself been aid
cd by generous, though unknown
friends, | do not think that ]
ought to speak on that subject"
Later on, Mr.. Clay referred tc
the Hon. Charles NJ Conrad, who
was also at the dinner, aud SAL
he: always believed that gentle
men had some knowledge Of TIE
manner i'll which one of his note.
had been mysterl0usly paid al
the bank of Kentucky.
Henry Clay and Charles M
Conrad have both gone to theil
long home, but there are still ger
tle;Den living in this city wht
know that on more than one Occ;
sion the Henry Clay Whigss o
New Orleans relieved Mr.. Clay
from the troublesome pressure o
financial obligations. The note
to which Mr.. Clay referred at thu
Washington dinner, was for SO, ,O0'
and he was never permitted t.
know who paid it. Justice, ho'
ever, requires Us to state that il
dab TOurO was the chief contrib'
tor. MIR. Clay had a very hisl
appreciation of New Orleans an
his friends here looked upon hin
with more than ordinary reve
encp; moreover, here the tendril
of his affections were both fondl,
and sadly intertwinrd. A son-in
u law of his. named Irwin, who hat
, removed hither from Lexington
.. KY. and conducted the busines
. of d negro trader, gave him
) great deal Of trouble. This lrvi
,, , was generally disIiked and part G
!, Mr.. Clay's financial difficultie
grew out Of endorsement for him
After the death Of Mrs. Twin, Nj
Clay took charge Of the educatio
| of her two SONS.
| On one OCCASION, when thes
hogs were about grown to ma
| hood, S. s. Prentiss was engage
| in the prosecution of u Gas
against the elder Irwin, and Dire
such fearful picture of his lit
raj deformity that one Of the sol
Of the defendant challenged Pre-
tiss to mortal combat. The ch;
.erge was accepted, and the =;
ties repaired to Pass Christian
i settle the matter according to ii
code. Through the interventie
/ of friends the case was, hOweve
settled, and the parties retornt
to the city apparently satistic
l But young Irwin after he hs
parted from his friends, went d
rectly to his bed room in the s
4 Charles Hotel, an'l there, brO'
ing over the disgrace Of having
: father against whom such thin
q could be said, took pistol al
Il blew his brains OH.
q Whi.e referring to these il
i dents in the life of Mr.. Clay t
thoughtful students Of polite
81 history can not fail to obser
s. the fundamental doctrines of I
= old Wing party have, in these
al ter DAYS. been largely accept
Fl ami adOpted I.y both lemOcr;