The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1886-06-24
Quarry OF THE S
Some Recollections of the Great
Orator-His Opinion of Jackson
ism-A Clay Song.

8 gentleman to 4 representative OF IN
NeW York Tribune, .'that / first looked
on the face of Henry Clay. l was s
schoolboy atthe time at College hill,
Poughkeepsie. Mr.. Clay, with a party
of friends, was making a tour through
the northern states, and stopped at
Poughkeepsie on his way up the Hud-
son. Among the places which he Wis
tied in the village was the Collegiate
institute, then and for many years
thereafter q notable boarding-school
for boys. The late Clarkson n. Potter
and Sandford R. Clifford. the artist,
were among the pupils. After he had
been welcomed by the principal,
Charles Bartlett, Mr.. Clay made a
short address to the scholars, who then
were severally called up to the plat
form and introduced to the great
statesman. 1t so CHANGED hat at the
moment l placed my hand in Mr..
Clay's, the principals attention was
called away, and | was forced to men,
ton my own name. Being embarrassed
[ probably spoke indistinctly. for he
bent his head down and asked me to
repeat it. Most persons would not
have taken this trouble, and would
have let me pass without caring to as
certain my name; but Mr.. Clay had Il
most courteous and sympathetic nature.
When | had replied he asked, still hold
ing my hand and looking ut me with a
winning smile: Are you 4 relative of
Capt. Alexander c., of Hudson,
who recently died?' L said L was his
great grandson. 'Ah,' he continued,
i knew the old gentleman well. A
few years ago he sent me a cane which
| highly prize And turning to Mr..
Bartlett, he said: "A venerable man,
sir; SO years of age
Only once again did l meet Mr.. CLAY.
when ten years a%fterward. | called on
him at the Astor house, with a friend,
and had q brief interview with him. 1
mentioned to him the College hill Incl
dent, which he perfectly recalled, al
though | had outgrown recognition.
"a short time ago L purchased an
autograph letter of Henry Clay, adj
dressed to my great grandfather,
thanking him for the cane he had sent
him and giving him his views freely as
to the course of Gen. Jackson was
pursuing. The Dr.. Lowell through
whom Mr.. Clay received the zane held
at that time an official position under
the government in the medical depart
ment at Washington, and was the faith
er of the late confederate general,
Mansfield Lowell, who died a year or
two ago in this city"
Tho 1atto, ,ofarcaJ 10
follows, being dated at Washington,
June II, 1884:
DIR. Lowell presented me a few DAYS
ago your obliging letter of the 18th
with the cane which you do me
honor 10 send me. . . As a token
Of your approval of my exertions to
arrest the alarming progress of execu-
tive encroachment and usurpation, [
shall ever regard it with peculiar salts
faction. L have sometimes almost
iespaired of u country. The delu-
'ion has been so long, so dark, so per-
7asive, that l have occasionally feared
hat 1t would survive me-; but. / thank
Iod, it is passing off rapidly. and l
rust that both you and | may vet live
o see many brighter and better DAYS.
What is now most to DE regretted is
he wound that has been inflicted upon
he moral sense of the community.
v hat looseness of principle, what scan
abuse, what disreg gard of moral
nd political rectitude have been quick |
ned into life by the performance of l
.ackSonisml 1t is worse than the chol-
because it has been more universal ,
will be more horrible. The chol-
"a performs lis terrible office, and its
ictims are consigned to the grave. |
their survivors uncontaminat-
d. But Jacksonism has poisoned the Il
Thole community, the living as well as S
dead. Our hopes of recovery and
urltication must rest in that Provi-
ence whose mercies and bounties have a
D often leen extended to U.s.. u
Il yividly recall" continued the s
oeaker, '.Mr. Clay,s appearance on the II
ccaslon of my calling on him at the u
stor house, which / now think must
ave beer in the early spring of 1S4S. 9
hen seated he did not look t O be the 6
man he was, and appeared less dig ,
But when he rose to his feet his u
I'll stature was revealed. and the court n
ness of his bearing was apparent. He L
1ASo DUDSAhuOuo ICSu OH HIS
anne. and his step was firm and elias n
g. He had an unusually high fore 1e
cad, q prominent nose, a large and 81
,Xible mouth, and Il moderate-sized W
lin. He was clean shaven. and wore II
5 hair, which was parted in the mid al
e and almost covered his ears, LONG. c;
Is eyes were expressive of gentleneSs D.
I'd kindness of heart, united with
'urage and tirmness. His voice was b'
und and full, and capable of wonder al
| meditation. His dress was plain
d simple; 4 black coat and trousers.
I'd a waistcoat of black silk or satin.
round his throat was wound Il black >,
k neckerchief, tied in a large bow I'll
lot in front, and partly supporting
e famous shirt collar which rose m
arly to the tips of his ears. The w
Clay collar had a national rep
alton, and all earnest followers of W,
AIRY of the West adopted it. 1t was
1T and parsel of the shirt itself, was do
most liberal dimensions. and. like w
e bosom of the shirt, which was I'M pa
was only slightly starched, and W;
Il rule generally dropped over the as
ckerchief, Boots and a silk hat COM be
tied his attire. W.
s .Eortr roam, ,oo 49, al