The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-10-03
WEPT LIKE CHILDREN
When Henry Clay Made His Farewell
Speech In the United States Senate.
TWO SENATOR'S ALONE WERE UHR0VED
rho Notable Exceptions We're sena-
tors Hcnton and Bfnir, Who We're
a Kentucky Editor snfs It was
Not CORRECTLY Reported.
tFrom the Louisville courler,Journal.)

CFrom the Louisville CONFECTIONERY
Lexington, Ky, Sept. 6.-The VEN
erable Howard II. Gratz, editor of the
Lexington Gazette. IL one OF the few
k~entucklans now living who were pres
tnt In the United States Senate cham
Der In March, 1912, when Henry Clay
made his famous farewell address. Mr..
Gratz Has then g. boy OF Is, returning
home from Yale. His uncle, Senator
blair. sat almost behind the Speaker.
and when Mr.. GratE entered the crowd
ed chamber his uncle beckoned to him
70 come over and share his seat. MIR.
iratz did SO. and during the entire time
OF the delivery OF Mr.. Clay's speech he
and listened with app attention to the
great mon In speaking of his
recolections of his memorable occasion,
Mr.. Gratz, said:
Il do not think Mr.. John Il. Coyle's
account of the remarkable scene, pub
lshed In the September Ladies' Home
Journal. Is correct. MIR. Clay did not
say all that Mr.. Coyle makes him say,
ana there are numerous errors In the
report or his speech. Mr.. Coyle evil
dently quotes from The Congressional
IIcos. l had been we'll drilled In re-
porting the sermons of an old Presby-
terrain preacher, and I believe I can CIV
a verbatim report OF FIR. Clay's speech
on that memorable March day. The
scene was one never to be forgotten.
My father was n great ,admirer Of Mr..
Cray, and l was reared to love and ad-
mire him. My uncle, Senator Blair,
lowever, hated the great bit
ierly; and he and Thomas H.. Bentcn
!lared at Mr.. Clay all the time 1t was
delivering his great speech. Mr.. Clay
hau peen speaking but n few minutes
when nearly everybody in the crowded
room began to shed tears except Ben
ton ana my uncle. I remember how
Daniel Webster sat and drank In every
word that fell from MT. Ckay's lips. I
was looking straight ut him when he
brushed away n tear as Mr.. Cha began
20 grow pathetic, n "a few minutes
alter tears were flowing freely from
"eoster's eyes. I felt that I could not
estrain my tears any longer, and yet
l knew that IL my uncle saw me crying
ne would reprimand me. But, fortu-
'1ately, he never took his eyes off Mr..
rays face. and the tears ran down my
2heeks uninterrupted, for I was afraid
20 betray my emotion by w!ping them
tway. l think I will write out the ex-
tct language of Mr.. Gay. I have seen
sarbled long enough. Tha was the
most remarkable scene I have ever Wit
aessed. and, although It was nf1y-nye
Years ago, the incidents and the words
- -. Sioy uulIieu themselves into my
Drain SO indelibly that 1 can see and
near It all now. For Intensity of at
Iehtlon n sympathy OF auditors. I
lioubt If there was ever a case like Il
On record. Mark Anthony when extoll-
ms the virtues Of the dead Caesar could
not nave had a more sympathetic audi
ence. The enemies or the great Roman
were many and bitter, but In Mr.. Claws
case even his enemies wept as he de-
l1Vered with almost inspired tongue that
magnificent address. 1t was full of
patriotism. devoid or selnshness, rich
Win the milk Of human kindness, replcte
w!th the loftiest sentiments, and being
ae.lvered In a style which Cicero never
exoeled, and with an earnestpess thai
carried conviction with 1t, the speech
swept away every particle OF resent
ment that might have been lodged In an
Snemys mind, and with one accord III.
vast assemblage barring Benton and my
uncle blair, gave the great
tnat his worn heart cravcd,
ana mat love which he himself bore 10
mankind. ~ 800 ~
AS an Illustration of the unsAlnsh
character or Henry Clay I will tell YOU
now he virtually threw awav s1o6 ON
rainier thar have 1t tainted in the small
est degree. james Morrison. a reyoJr-
tlonary soldier. who emiErlted to Lev.
lhs'on when 1t was a little village, be-
came immensely rich. There was q
.SG3ndai In h United States ConzIl's
onistat Liverpool, and a:Hfr. Gays sug-
ses'fon the President appointed Mr
Morrison. n commissioner to 60 to Inv.
srpool 10 make a report of the trouble.
belore leaving Mr.. Morrison anne to Mr.,
nay ana told him he wanted him 10
write his will. He devised hi, pronortv
e1ultably to his relatives, and after Mr.
Ciay had reduced the will to writing
MI. Morrison said: MI. Clay, I find mai
! nave yet 100000 worth of proper,y
unol*I'oSed of. You and I have been
rrieltfi FOR years. You did me the honor
TO Eame your son, John Morrison CI,v
Tor me. AS a slight testimonial OF NV
regard for wou, and az an expression ~
tne gratitude / owe you for the MANY
hindtieSses you have shown me, I wish 10
make your son John my residuary Ieea-
tee
Mr.. Clay. strengthening himself I'm
IN his chair. and looking Mr.. Morrison
sauarely In the eye, said with much
elaboration, yet in a kindly Fone: .Arr
MORRISON, l appreciate the proposftfo.,
you have Just made. T named my son
for you bccnuse ! wanted to name him
TOT an honest, patriotic citizen. Whay.-
ever l may have lone for You was don,
tor no selfish motive, and, while 7 fully
realize the value OF the proposition YOU
nave made, I must respectfully decline
70 allow my son to become your yesidu-
airy legatec.'
Mr.. Morrison looked very much dis.
appointed. and helplcssly asked what
he should do with the 800, 900 worth Of
properly. Quic!. as n flash Mr.. CLAW
came to his rescue. and said: Mr. Mop
rison. You can leave the property to the
Pennsylvania University. It will be one
of he most enduring monuments that