The Wilmingtonian., 1882-09-23
ests to the whig party.

her IN bne hlBhest Legislative oody IN TINS
country-when he entered the Senate of the
United States, he was the youngest member
of that august assemblage.
At that time Henry Clay, Thomas II.
Benton, John G. Calhoun, Robert Y. Hay
ne and Daniel Webster were in the senate
and they were the master minds of America:
but these men had no terror for John M.
Clayton, and in the very first weeks of his
Senatorial experience, ne was found in men
tai combat with the very able, but misgui-
ed man, Robert Y. Hayne.
His mastery arrangement of lIayne, as
tonished his friends and attracted the at
tention of all men in public life His trans
cendental abilities marked him as a leader
in the Senate; and this position was never
afterward Questioned.
He laid aside his Senatorial honors in
1887, to assume the responsibilities and du-N
ties of Chief Justice of the State of Della
ware. That station like all others that he
filled, he adorned by his profound learning
and by his spotless integrity. After occu-
pying the seat of Chief Justice for two years
he retired to private life, so as to fecuperate
his wasted physical energies. In 1916, he
was again returned to the United States
Senate, but in 1s49, being appointed Secre-
tary of State by President Taylor, he again
resigned his position as Senator. The death
of General Taylor gave Mr.. Clayton relea-
Sc from public duties, which he so long de-
sired; and he could not have been induced,
afterward, to have relinqushed the quietness
of private life had not General Cass, in the
Senate chamber assailed what was known
as the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty.
Gen. Cass made the charges that Mr..
Clayton when Secretary Of State had falsi-
fed his position and had compromised his
Government. This imputation, unfounded
as IL Was, staggered III. Clay Jon and he at
once sought the arena of the Senate Cham
ber as the proper place to meet The charges
of his assailant.
In 1858, for the fourth time he was elect
ed to the Senate, and at the bar of public
Judgment, he met his accusers, and Mr..
Clayton came forth from the contest, with
reputation unsullied-yea an increased lus-
tire had been given his fair name.
Senator Seward in speaking of the Clay
ton and Bulwer treaty, said, ''it was the
good fortune of John NJ. Clayton, to link
his own fame with that great and stupend-
GUS transaction, and to win for himself, the
eternal gratitude Of future generations, not
only in his own country, but throughout the
great divisions of the earth. The treaty is
bond of promise of peace, and concord to all
nations, and it is an imperishable monu-
ment to the fame of him that is the snbiect
of this memoir
1t was marshall McMullin's distinguished
privilege to be a near neighbor of Mr.. Clay
ton, in his latter years and his remembrances
ofhim are intensely interesting. His simplic-
ity of manner and his thoughtful care for
those with whom he associated, endeared
him to the hearts of his fellow-c citizens.
His friendship was as enduring as time
and his magnetic influence was such, that
his friends would do and dare'' at his
pleasure.
Mr., McMullen said that his was the ar
chetype existence-that his was the grandest
noblest type of manhood. That neither be-
fore nor since, has he met man who con-
tanned so many of the elements of true no
bility, as his unassuming neighbor-
NJ. Clayton.
We bave been told by those who political
ly differed from him, that his methods were
SO fascinating and his arguments so cogent |
that, even when political excitement was at
fever heat, his opponents would forget their
party ties-and would make his triumphal |
procession. His power with the people was
marvellously strong-and, to-day, we have
seen men with frosted heads, have their |
eyes suffused with tears as they recounted
the kindly offices oftheir departed friend.
In 1922, he was married to most estima-
BILE lady, Miss Sally Ann Fisher, daughter
of DR.. James Fisher: but the future that
gave SO much promise of unalloyed happi-
mace xras IN, aoI "a lair