Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-09-08
AN IMPRESSIVE FAREWELL.
Henry CIay's Address to the Senate I'm
1842-A Historic Scene.

1S42-A Historic Scene.
Henry Clay rose in the Senate on the
31st of March, 1912, to make his farewell
speech In chamber which he had entered
forty-two years previously, although he
had not been in continuous service since
then.
The Senate chamber presented mag
nihcent spectacle, perhaps, upon the
whole, a more brilliant ono than had
ever before be nexhibitcd there. Every
seat was filled, and every avenue ap-
preaching the chamber blocked up
Two hours before Mr.. Clay began to
equally impossible to those within or
without.
The gentlemen filled the straight gall
lery, which was better known as ''the
Calcutta black hole" to its utmost ca
pacity. The ratings of the seats, and
the seats themselves were oil crowded,
and the people seemed to be literally
piled one upon another. The ladies' gal-
lery was filled almost entirely withl ladies.
and the circle there presented as much
Of grace, elegance and dignity as ever
adorned any public assembly. 1t was a
scene which might well have called
forth the admiration of the sterner and
tho coarser sex below and around. The
Nh0ihVCAs DCAOAC MI O1ty IOSC, WAS llC-
orally wreathed in smiles and beauty.
and it was scene beautiful to look upon.
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
chamber 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 a
tone OF voice which for so many years
bad 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 respcc;fu attention, while the
representatives flocked in from the House
and occupied the privileged seats round
about the chamber.
Then came the addrsss-for it was
more of an address than a spoech-the
published report of which is ONLY tho
body of a beautiful Grafton witt out tho
soul. The spirit which kindled. the frs
which burned are not there. Words are
as cold as marble without the divine af-
Hiatus 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 Charm the eye, but it was a
scene which might have given, either in
the sympathy created or in the pride
excited. q feeling but little less than ono
Inspired, The ladies, who were all hope
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 Kentucky,
where he had been received as a son
forty-five years since. was himself quite
unnamed. Others were much more af-
fected. and many of t. 9 Oldest senators
were in tears many times while Mr.. Clav
!. was speaking. Mr. Clay left the storm
and turmoil of public life, as he thought
forever. with an enviahle reputation for
Craftsmanship, for patriotism and for
eloquenca. and his last act was to pre-
sent the creden ials OF Mr.. Crittenden as
his successor, and to speak OF him in the
most excellent terms.
Seven years later Mr. Clay returned to
the Senate and served until he died.