The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-09-17
AN IMPRESSIVE FAREWELL.
Henry Clay's Address to the Senate
IS42-A Historic Scene.

Henry Claws Address the fr,
IS42-A Historic Scene.
Henry Clay rose in the Senate on the
31st of March, 1912 to make his farewell
speech in a chamber which he had entered
forty-two years previously, although he
had not been in continuous service since
then.
The Senate chamber presented a mag
nihcent spectacle, perhaps, upon the
whole, more brilliant one than had
ever before been exhibited there. Every
seat was filled, and every avenue ap-
preaching the chamber blocked up.
Two hours before Mr.. Clay began to
speak, an exit or an entrance were
equally impossible to those within OF
without.
The gentlemen filled the straight gal
lery, which was better known as 1.-THE
Calcutta black hole" to its utmost ca
pacity. The ratings of the seats, and
the seats themselves were all crowded
and the people seemed 70 be literally
piled one upon another. The ladies' gal
lery was filled almost entirely withiadieS
and the circle there presented as mucb
Of grace elegance and dignity as ever
adorned any public assembly. 1t was a
scene which might well have called
forth the admir- tiOn of the sterner and
the cOarseT sex below and around. The
chamber, before Mr.. Cl8y rose was lit
orally wreathed in smiles and beauty
anu u WAS y scene DedtlilIul 10 LOOK lIDOn
until the event which had called so many
together took place, in the earnest.
sweet-SpOken final farewell which came
from the lips Of the orator and reached
every heart.
Along the central entrance to the
cham er the crowd was equally dense
and upon either side here though far
out Of sight, and out Of hearing too.
ladies' were seated, all anxious to catch
tone Of a voice which for so many years
had always told like the sweetest notes
Of the lark in the ears of the whole fe-
male sex. Senators of all parties gave
the most respectful attention while the
representatives nocked in from the House
and occupied the privileged seats round
about the chamber.
Then came the addr ass-fOr it was
more Of an address than a speech-the
published report of which is only the
BODY of beautiful Grafton without the
soul. The spirit which kindled the fire
which burned are not there. Words are
as cold as marble without the divine af-
Hatus which could almost give life and
action to the dead.
The picture presented in such a con-
gregatiOn of people was not only fair
enough and perfect enough in all its pro-
portions to arm the eye, but it was a
scene which m ght have given, either in
the sympathy created or in the pride
excited a feel ing but little less than one
inspired. The ladies, who were all hone
and buOyancy a moment before, were
now, " like NiObe, all tears"
Mr.. Clay, in speaking Of himself, of his
friends, of the noble State OF KontucEy,
where he had been received as a son
fOTty-tiye years since. was himself quite
unnamed. Others were much more af-
fnctcd, and many Of e Old st senators
were in tears many times while Nj Clay
was speaking. Mr.. Clay left the storm
and Turmoil. OF public life, as he thought
forever, with an enviablc reputation for
craftsmanship. for patriotism and for
elOqueuce, and his last act was to pre-
sent the crcJcn ials OF Mr. Crittende2 as
his successor and to speak OF him IN the
most excl jeut rms.
+ Seven years la.cr NJ. CLAY returned to
the Senate and served u.tu he died.