The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-11-07
HENRY CLAY.
JOHN HI. HARMoN's RECoLLEcTIoNs OF
THE FAMOUS STATESMAN.

It was Henry Clay's purpose" said
John A. Harmon, continuing his story
of his recollections of the famous orator
and statesman, "to leave Washington
Immediately after his speech. The
early fall weather was really the Indian
summer season, and most favorable to
such journey as he had in mind. His
speech in the senate chamber, on his
farewell, quite overcame him. Though
he held to the end under strong mental
influence the orator never rallied again.
Very much exhausted Clay was taken
to his rooms at the old National hotel
at Washington and never afterwards
left them. The winter came and went ;
the sessions continued with it. Every
day, right after prayers in the senate,
the chair announced the state of his
health. The announcements directly
became rather stereotyped. 1t was
usually, Mr.. Clay is gradually failing;
after time it became, Mr.. Clay is fail
ing rapidly next we heard Mr.. Clay is
sinking, but his mind is very clear.
Finally it came to be understood that
if he should die during the hours of the
session the bells should toll in announce
ment of it.
1t was upon morning in the early
part of May, 1852, a season beyond all
others most delightfully."- beautiful in
Washington. The trees and shrubs OF
the capitol grounds and the flower beds
were fresh and pleasant to look upon.
Hannegan, Of Indiana, an Irish
man, bright as silver, witty, eloquent
and always interesting, had the floor Of
the senate, making a set speech on oul
policy with regard to foreign affairs
His seat was well up toward the rear
Being of quick and nervous tempera-
ment, he took the main aisle, and while
declaiming would work himself for
ward almost to the clerks desk, discov.
ering which, he would bound way back
going through these motions continu-
ously until he had finished. Senator
Frye, of Maine, has very much the same
method. A son of Senator Hannegan
q fine appearing, gray headed man, il
one of the messengers of the senate now
He frequently asks me about his father
Hannegan was speaking in his quick
impulsive manner, half way down thu
aisle and progressing with an enthusi
astic science, when the single toll of {
bell quivered through the air. Hanne
gan ceased speaking in a flash, bound
ed back to the rear, turned pale, and il
a tremulous voice said Mr.. President
the probabilities are that the great
est statesman in America is now NJ
more move that the senate adjourn.
| "There was no chance to vote upon it
Instantly every man took his hat an(
coat, and before the second toll of thu
bell came all were away. The same sor
of proceedings must have dispersed thu
House, for remember as we passed
through the rotunda that it was full O.
members issuing therefrom.
"The rapidity with which the city
was thrown into mourning has always
| caused me to wonder. Walking direc
from the capitol, when we reached the
edge of the grounds where the peace
monument now is, Pennsylvania avenue
was seen to be filled with streamers Of
black, hanging from windows, fastened
to balconies, wound around columns and
awning poles, and stretched across the
street. 1t was solemn sight.
The National hotel was thick with
Grape, and so was Morrison's book store,
adjoining it. It is the same store still,
now kept by Morrison's son, and former
ly the resort and lounging place of both
Clay and Webster. There were two
little back rooms, one always occupied
by Clay and the other by Webster.
Here. when they had leisure, both
would always be found reading and
studying or discussing literature, new
and old, but very seldom politics, with
friends and admirers who came to
seek them out. Clay passed more time
at Morrison's than Webster. The little
rooms did not communicate, and Meth
er statesman could be seen by the other.
The event, though long expected,
shocked people to the extent that all
business was suspended. Many bar
rooms, even, were closed, and in others
men lowered their voices and conversed
in quiet tones, as if in the presence of
the dead. was in Washington at the
time of the assassination of Lincoln,
and again at that of Garfield, but
neither event appeared to throw such
gloom over the city as the death of
Henry Clay. The feeling was one of
pure sorrow, unnixed with indignation
or anger, such as is felt at the deeds
which led to the murder Of the Presi-
dents. On these occasions men were
bOiSterOus with threats and grief, but |