The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-12-06
HENRY CLAY.
A Visit to Ashland, Home OF tho
Celebrated Statesman.
The Residence Of tho Granddaughter
ofsClay---The Grave and Non.
ament OF tho Great
COmmoner.
IA. X. Mcclure in PHILADELPHIA Times.1

Ia. X. Mcclure In Philadelphia Times
A drive Of milo southeast from Lexing-
ton along the limestone turnpike that paves
the streets and highways about thom, brings
the visitor to Ashland, tho homo Of Henry
Clay. Tho road is dotted with beautiful
suburban residences most Of tho way on the
north and part of tho original Ashland farm
Is soon presented on the south 1t is in beau-
tiful fields, green with tho noted blue grass
that is credited with tho creation Of the To-
nous stock Of kentucky, but it is now the
property Of the Agricultural college. Farther
to tho south is the homo Of John Clay, the
only surviving son of tho founder of
Ashland, who lives tho quiet lifo Of
farmer OIL some two hundred acres Of the
old homestead. Beyond Ashland is tho
homo Of tho late Thomas Clay, another son,
and 1t Is still in possession Of his family; but
tho Ashland whose aged trees were planted
and whose mansion was planned and fash
ioned by Clay himself, is now tho residence
Of his granddaughter Mrs. Mcdowell, and
her accomplished and hospitablo husband. It
was long tho residence of James b. Clay, the
only son that reached national distinction rs
public man, and who was twice elected to
represent tho Lexington district in congress-
He died in the primo of life, and tho citizens
OF Lexington and tho state contributed to tho
purchase Of tho property for an Agricultural
college. Tho college was not successful Oh
tho plan adopted, and Col Mcdowell, a Ken
tuckian of cul5ure and fortune and tho hus-
band Of the only daughtor of Horny Clay, Jr.,
who fell Mt Buena Vista, purchased Ashland,
and it again became tho homo Of tho Clays
within tho last year.
THE NEW ASHLAND MANSION.
Tho mansion had heen rebuilt by James to
arrest decay, but tho old foundations were
untouched and tho now Ashland mansion Is
tho exact counterpart of tho original, in both
architecture and material, lacking only tho
sanctity Of age. Col. Mcdowell welcomes
tho friends Of Clay to tho homo they regard
rs ono Of the shrines Of patriotism and states
manshp, and his wife hears with filial pride
the homage paid to tho grandsire she moro
than idoliZes. She is n thorough Clay, with
oil tho marked features and complexion Of
her grandfather, softened in refined and eie-
gant womanhood. The architecture Of the
house is as original as it is beautiful. A pil.
Jared portico faces Lexington to. tho north
west, from which tho imposing statue Of
Clay, two miles distant in the Lexington
cemetery, is visible between tho forests
which skirt tho road and town, and single.
storied wings with gables to tho front, flank
tho main structure aud add to tho palatial
proportions and internal comfort. The capa.
cious grounds arc forest of shade, varie-
gated in type and threaded with walks and
drives and beautiful with shrubs and flowers
It is O. homo worthy Of Henry Clay, and that
exhausts tho power Of oulogy.
THE STABLES.
Ool. Mcdowell inherited Clay's love for
horses, and his stable would have delighted
Clay when he was miscallod tho horso-racer,
because he beloved that men and womon and
oil tho creatures committed to their guardian
ship, should attain tho highest measure of
perfection. Tho quality of his stable may
be understood when speak Of "Dictator," a
20year-old horse, for whom ho paid $25, 900
only a few weeks ago, and could sell him at
an advance to-day, and Of fllly for whom
he refused $4,000 at years Of age, and thoy
wero but two Of many kindly exhibited, tho
least valuable of which as ycarings would
ratio IN tho thousands. "Dictator'' is, learn.
the most noted horse on tho continent, and the
royal distlain with which ho stops the earth
leaves no doubt of his self-appreciatod
nobility. All that is about Ashland has tho
appearance of grandeur. It's gently undula-
ting fields, neat rs q Lancaster model farm;
tho clearly exhibited fertility Of tho soil; the
high-bred cattlo grazing on tho bluegrass
coated lawns, and the primeval forests which
freshon tho fascinating landscape and stand
rs sentinels over tho bountiful fields, oil toll
why the homo Of Horny Clay was to him tho
dearest spot of oarth.
THE GRAVE OF CLAY.
Turning FROM: the !.osnitatlc homo os tho
| descendants Of Clay, it is most natural for
| tho visitor to bond his stops to tho grave Of
| tho great commoner No direction is needed,
rs 1t towors above town and forest and
guides tho worshipor to tho shrine he socks
| On tho northwestern suburb Of tho town Is
tho Lexington cemetery, ono of tho most
beautiful resting places for tho doal have
over visited. 1t is grandly and bountifully
shaded by forest trees, varicgated with ever
greens and fragrant with flowers Tho ground
IS broken into abrupt undulatiops and the
little hillocks and sudden ravines are
oil dotted with tho records of tho
dreamless Shoppers Of this lovely city Of
tho silent. Near tho contro OH gentle emi-
nenco with largo velvoty lawn around it
| aio tho grave and monument Of Henry Clay
A broad baso Of kentucky limestone twenty
foot high encloses tho dust Of tho beloved and
lamented statesman, and by his side is the
partner Of his joys and SORROWS, who survived
him afull decade. Facing tho sunny south
ID an open grating that ofPors full Wow Of the
beautifully chisclod marble tombs which
contain tho dust Of tho Clays.
THE INSCRIPTION.
| On the top of tho marble sarcophapu,s are tbe
simple words, "Henry Clay" and on the
side, Iii letters SO plain that the passer by can
read, is tho following memorable public ut
torrance by Clay shortly before his death:
II can with unshaken confidence appeal
to tho Divine Arbiter for the truth Of the
declaration, that have been influenced by
no impure purpose. no personal motive, have
sought no personal aggrandizement; but that
In all my public acts have had a
solo and single oye, and q warm devoted
heart, directed andTlodicated to what, in my
best Judgment, I believed to bo tho true
interests Of my country"
On the largo base is erected round
column Of whito limestone, nearly one
hundred feet i'll height, and on tho pinnacle
is the lfe.liko statue Of Clay, facing the
homo his namo and love havo mado i'm
mortal. With all his grandeur Of character
and attainments, his destiny was dust to
dust, tho common destiny Of all, and the
heart and tongue whose eloquence inspired
tho liberty loving people Of every olime an
silenced forever, but his memory and his
teachings will endure whilo tho republic
lives After half a century of distinction In
both homisphores, and victories and defeats
which arc alike immortal, tho story ends In
the peaceful shades Of Lexington cemetery
and records, after all. only tho brief but
fretful journey from tho cradle to tho grave.
|
| Unclo Rufus Hatch complains that eyory