The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1890-06-06
THE SAGE OF ASHLAND.

THE SAGE OF ASHLAND.
A nsilllant Sketch of Horny Clay by One
of rIis Contemporaries.
Henry Clay was the tallest of the
great Senators of his era, says Oliver
Dycr in his "Great Senators" his height
being six feet and one inch in his stock
ings He was also the most brilliant,
the most chivalric, and by far tho most
popular. Indeed, his popularity was
phcnomenal-incrediblc to those who
wcrc not personally cognisant of it; and
he was justly entitled to every bit of it.
He possessed, in remarkable fullncss,
all the qualities which win and retain
popularity. Hc was kind-hcartcd, SYM
pathetic. genial, tender, brave, honest,
chivalric, and always true and loyal to
his friends. llls conscicntiousncss,
hope, bencyolcncc, flrmncss, sclf-cs.ccm
and love ofapprobstion were all largely
developed and active; 80 that hc was ac-
cominodating in friendship, but unyicld-
ing in principle; firm but gentle, at
oncc proud and af!ah!s; and both demo-
cratic aud aris;ccratic by nature and in
manner. His good nature and his in
born American democratic-Icpubiic
ism gavo familiar and hail-fellow cast
to his greetings and his intercourse; but
his higl-toncd chiva!ric dignit; OF char.
acter rcrvaded his genial familiarity,
and kept HIS ass.miatcs in mllrl tina:
it was not tho fa:ni.ia.i,y of COM
lnon-placc parsonage, but that Of
high-bred gentleman who, from his own
inherent graciousncss and spirit Of good
fellowship, chose To to thus a:!ablc.
The combination Of q qIali,ics rendered
Clay's address spontaneously irresistible,
and the first fascinating impression was
madc enduring by tho action of other
qualities which are rightfully potential
with mankind. lie had marvellous
faculty for seeing evcry thing and re-
mcmbering every thing - names, faces,
places, events, scenes and tho topo-
graphical features OF a country through
VI Mi.ich lic travelled. If he l.ct :. man
and s.eso with him, he never forgot
him or the circumstances under which
they met. After spending u few hours
i'll any place through whilh he passed,
he could rocall its features and pocu-
liaritics at any subsequent tii:ic, how
cvor remote, and remember tho pcorie
he met Jhcrc, and what their yocations
wcrc to the minutcss particular. This
gave him s,irpassing influence AMI popu-
larity, inasmsich rs i. is pleasant 10 any
body to he remembered for years hy .l
distinguished parsonage. The r.rc
qualities mentioned in the prcce,,;a:,
paragraph, which Henry Clay pos,s.s ;,.i
i'll si,eh alli.lnnt degree, enabled him
naturally and without cifort TO make
tho 'aest of these great gifts of pcss..p-
lion and memory. Nor was it ia: .,..r
oi lacrs selfish policy for him to do 80;
it w;s the external outcome of the iil-
tcrnal man, tho Spontaneous etilucmel
Of tho inner spirit. lio loved cvarv part
cf lli:; country with patriotic forvvr, and
t.n,l AL interest in every part c. it, and
ir al! its inhabitants, and syn,pathi..cd
with them and their pursuits. uo was
the great champion of American indus
try, and wherever he saw a hlacks,aith's
forge OF carpenter Shop, on u rill. vi
factory, or q Stone quarry. or steam
engine, or printing press. or q ,.last Of
Commerce, or farming rs;ti,n, his
heart thrilled with interest ana
lent out in patriotic affection for the
F"orlc who wore at work in all t:io.c
places. And that was ono Of the chief
reasons why he remembered such things
SO we'll ana was SO fopd of talking about
tlcm. His intense, vivid, personal
a.'d patriotic devotion TO tho industrial
aiiiirs OF tho country stamped his OBJ
scrf.ssions of them inicii:sly upon his
naenory and kept his interest in tnom
al!vc forever; wh:.o his broad and
generous sympathy with worki,.g-..cn
gave raaisnctic gcniality to tho interest
no felt in them which was incxprcasibly
attractive and winning to the teilcvs.
Tho leading characteristic Of Henry
Clays mind was penetration. His per-
ccp:j:e and knowing faculties wcro SO
enormously developed that nothin,
could escape his alert observation. lls
could simultaneously sec clear to tho
bott.n: of any subject that calue uaaer
his consideration. No sophistry could
deceive him, no trick Of rhetoric could
mislcad him. No Sentimental cloauenoe
could impose upon him. In controversy
he was logical, witty, humorous. forciblc,
sarcastic, eloquent. Has style was vc-
hcment and irnpassioncd. Lis voice
was full, rich. clear, sweet, musical and
as inspiring as a trumpet; 1t was also so
penetrating that in the ordinary tones
of conversation it could be heard farther
than the thick, vocal bray of some of his
rivals. When he became excited in dc.
bate his manner was peculiarly knight
~, gamcy, audacious and something's ar
rogant. AS ho set forth proposition
after proposition With increasing cncrgy
and fire, his tall form would seem to
grow taller and taller with every new
statement, until it reached super.
natural height; his eyes flashed, and his
hair waved wildly about his head; his
long arms swept through the air; every
lineanent OF his countenance spoke and
glo%ed, until the behollcr might inn
agine that he saw great soul on fire,
and expressing itself through an organ
ism which spontaneously responded to
its every emotion.
A Useful Invention.
A very useful invention .ending to
lessen tho possibility of accidents in
factories is now being extensively
adopted in Ensland. Tho breaking Of
gla. ., which is adjusted against tho
wall of every roors in tho mill, will at