Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-04

1t-Sone Eacts sNout OAAetus VA
Clay.
WASHINGTON. May I've were talk
ing about the Russian mission--a6out the
chivalrous selEsacrihce OF Gen. lawton,
Of Georgia, in resigning it in order not 20
emharrass the President, in spite OF the
fact that he greatly desired 1t and was
admirably fitted for e. In that Connec-
ti0n we spoke OF the inhospitahle climate
Of St Petersburg. TO whose rigors SO
many diplomatic representatives Of the
United States and other nations have
suceumOed. Some enc gave the
true account OF Ans0n Burlin-
games death. He was there as
the t-large of China, He
drove one very cold day 10 the Foreign
Oflice TO see Prince Gortschakon. There
was a comparatively long distance be-
tween the carriage step and the front
door. Burlingame, in the full fush OF
health, left his wrappings in his carriage
and walked ia his handsome court dress
to the Foreign Office. GOrtsohakon re-
eeiVed him with expressions Of profound
astonishment and apprehension. He told
him that he had done very rash thing,
He begged him not tN repeat the imprud-
ence, and insisted upon sending TO the
carriage for his turs Burllugame laushed
81 the Premier's anxiety. But during that
short walk pneumonia had fastened upon
him, and within week he was dead.
There was a kentuckian present. who
said that Kentucky had furnished our
Minister To Russia three times, The first
was gallant old Gov. Shelby, Of reVolu-
tionary fame; the second Gov. Tod, and
the third Gen. Cassius Nj. Clay. He said
that Clay, though seemingly forgotten In
the East, was still alive. He 10 longer
looks as he seems in Gustavus V. Fox's
picture in the COrcoran art gallery upon
the presentation 10 Gar Alexander
H., just at the close OF the
war, Of the congratulations of
Congress upon his escape from as
sassination. In that rather stiif array of
dignitaries Prince Gortsehakon and Gen.
Clay are the only graeoiul-loo6ing men.
The Car turns in his toes and looks ang-
ula :. and the other members Of the Ameri.
can embassy seem III at ease. Clay stands
like the athlete that he was. In this pic
ture his face is full and fair and smooth,
his hair is brown and thick, his carriage
that Of a man Of 80. Nowadays I'm told
he has white hair and white beard, and
does not stand as straight as he used to.
Still, he Is very active, personally conduct
ing all the business OF his large farm. He
lives near the county seat Of Madison
county, in the bluegrass country. about
a score OF miles from the home and grave
OF Henry Clay. There was no relation
ship between their families, except that
distant sort which Is rather suggested
than indicated by the fact that their
names are alike. Cassius NJ. Clay's fam
lily were superior socially to that OF Henry
Clay, so the kentuckians say. Caesius
had n distinguished ancestry. Henry had
not. Cassius was born To. wealth as well
-. 80 fto AZ
farm and hundreds OF slaves, with
all the influence that they gave.
Purelyas matterof principal, with noth-
ing 20 gain BY Il and everything 10 lose,
he fought slavery from The time he came
TO manhood. First, he freed his own
slaves, and then set out 10 free all the
slaves In America. He was brave,
chivalrous man, Of noble spirit, hand
some, eloquent, attractive. He devoted
himself, his talents and attainments and
his wealth to the cause Of emancipation.
He took the stump in every campaign,
and fought as sturdily rs though he we're
lighting TO victory instead Of defeat.
He fought with his life IN his
hand, as he very well knew. There were
many like himself in Kentucky then,
but they were, Of course in hopeless
minority. The hostility Of the majority
was bitter beyond conception. II was
difficult, ctten dangerous, thing TO be an
abOlitionist In the East, but II was ten
times more difficult and dangerous In
Kentucky. When Clay appeared on q
platform In Louisville before 1000 heated
opponents he laid two loaded reYolyers on
the desk before him as he began TO speak.
"We want no disorder here, gentlemen,v
he said quietly, and there was none. He
was frequently Obliged 90 fight for
his life in Out.ofthe.way places.
He always carried keon-edged
bOwie-khiie on his left thigh. With this
he saved his life twice IN most desperate
encounters. At length he made himself
feared and respected from one end OF the
State 10 the other, and towards the close
Of the ante-bellum period he was seldom
mOlested. He was made a Major General
IN the army, and afterwards sent az
Minister 10 Russia In recognition Of his
distinguished services to the cause Of
freedom. Now he 10 quietly cultivating
the 400 or 800 acres he has kept for him
self, with his children al around him on
the rest OF bis farm, and patiently await
ing his end.