The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-04

them that we chiefly owe the capacity IN r,.
tain the unity Of the great epos of human ~.
Tory ana preserve tho consistency OF political
action" ~"
From Seward probably moro was looked 10,
than from Hunter, md nc did not disnnnoir,
pectation. On tho whole. his remarks nros.H,
the best summary of the life AMI nchieycmr,
or Henry Clay that had seen the light bcroro
addition OF Speaker Reeds introduction, n ~.
republication Of Colton's biography. From, S.
ards speech, which was long, vet moi too l.
we Gull here and there an excerpt. Mir, .sew..,
began by reminding his fellow Senators nm.
Colonization, revolution, and Organization
three great acts in the drama OF our national
progress-had already passed when tho wcs,nra
patriot appeared upon the public stage
He entered in the next division of IN.
majestic scenes, which was marked lao
an inevitable reaction OF political forces. A "a
strife OF factions. and ruinous emharrassm.,.
in our foreign relations. This transition ara.
Is always moro pcrilous than any other in tho
career Of nations, and especially in thu career,
republics. 1t proved fatal to the Commonv.rl,h
of England. Scarcely any OF the Spanish. Ameri.
can States have yet emerged from IL; and fl h,,
more than once been sadly signalized BY tho
ruin Of the republican cause in France" Af,e,
enumerating some Of the difficulties which had
to DO encountered and surmounted by tho "A.
ministrations whose task It was to nut H..
written Constitution in efficient operation
Mr.. Seward went on to say: " Certainly, cir M
one will assert that Henry Clay. In that trans,e
ton, performed an obscure, or even a common
part. On tho contrary. from the day in which
he entered the public service, until that on
which ho passed tho gates of death, he wa.
mover n follower, but always q leader; and h,
marshalled either tho party which sustained. 90
that which resisted. every great measure, equa.
ly in the Spnate apH In thu pnr,lnr
And he led where duty seemed TO him to indl
cate, reckless whether he encountered one Pros.
ident or twenty Presidents, whether he was on
posed by faction or even by the whole peopla
Hence 1t has happened that, although the peo-
pie arc not yet agroed among themselves on thu
wisdom Of all or perhaps oven of any OF hs
grcat measures, yet they arc nevertheless unspl.
nous in acknowledging that he was at once the
greatest. the most faithful and tho most reliable
OF their statesmen" When Seward passed from
the public services to tho personal qualities OF
his subject, his estimate was more detailed
than Hunters, and. on the whole. more satiufao-
tory. What" ho asks, wore the elements OF
the success of that extraordinary mani You.
sir. knew him longer and better than L. and I
would prefer to hear you speak Of him. He waS
indeed, eloquent-all the world knows that,
held the key to tho hearts Of his country.
men. and he turned the wards within then
with a skill attained by no other master. But
eloauence," continued Seward. "was, never
theless, only an instrument. and one of many
that he used. His conversation, his gestures.
his very look, was magisterial. persuasive.
seductive, irresistible. And his appliance OF
all these agencies was courteous, patient, and
indefatigable. Defeat only inspired him with
new resolution. He divided opposition by his
a%ssiduity Of address. while he rallied and
strengthened his own bands OF supporters by tia
confidence OF success which. feeling himself. be
easily inspired among his followers. His afoc-
tons were high and pure and generous, and
the chiefest among them was that one which
tho great italian poet designated as the chart.
ty Of native land. In him that charity was
an enduring and overpowering enthus!.
asm. and 1t influenced all his sentiments
and conduct, rendering him moro In
partial between conflicting interests and SEQ
lions than any other statesman who has lived
since the Revolution. Thus. with great versa
tility Of talent, and tho most catholic equality Of
favor, he identified every question, whether Of
domestic administration or foreign policy, with
his own great name. and 30 became a perpetual
tribune of the people. He needed only to PRO
pounce in favor of a measure or against 1t here,
and Immediately popular enthusiasm. excited
as by q magic wand. was felt overcoming and
dissolving all opposition In tho Senate Chamber.
In this way he wrought a change in our political
system that I think was not foreseen by iI
founders. he converted this branch Of the
legisleture Tthe Senatel from q negative posi-.
ton. or ono of equilibrium between the E1ecu.
tive and the House OF Representatives, into the
active ruling power of the republic. Only time
can disclose whether this great innovation shall
be benefcent or oven permanent"
We must find space for a part OF Stewards re-
markable peroration. and then we must take
leave OF n work the republication of which in
its present improved form. Is, wo repeat. mos;
timely. and in which American Legislators. or
prospective Legislators. will find a well.nigh eI.
haustless storehouse OF illumination, sugSesticn,
example. and inspiration. Our institutions
throw a broad shadow across the 81. Law.
rence. and, stretching beyond the valle- ~
Mexico. reach even to the plains OF Cen.
trail America. while tho Sandwich Islan.s
and tho shores OF China recognize Their
renovating influence. Wherever that In.
huenco 10 felt. a desire for protection TN.
der those institutions Is awakened. Expansion
seems to be regulated not By any difficulties OF
resistance. but by the moderation which results
from our own internal constitution. No ons
knows how rapidly that restraint may give
way. Who can tell how far or how fast It ought
to yieldi has brought tho ancient
continents near to us, and created necessities
for new positions-perhaps connections or colo
hies anu WIN II tEhuc u lTlcnCsulp VI
the elder nations. their conflicts and collisions
are brought to our doors and to our hearts. Our
sympathy kindles, or indifference extineuishes.
the fires of freedom in foreign lands. Before we
shall be fuily conscious that a change Is going on
in Europe, We may and ourselves once more
divided by that eternal line OF separation that
leaves on the ono side those of our citizens who
obey the impulses of sympathy. while on the
other arc found those who submit only TO the
counsels of prudence. Even prudence will soon
be required to decide whethor distant regionA
east and west. shall come under our protection
or be left to aggrandiEe Q rapidly-spreadinR do
main of hostile despotigm.
"Sir," concludes Seward. "who among Us n
equal to these mighty questionsS I fear there
Is no ono. Nevertheless. the example OF Henry
Clay remains for our instruction. His genius
has passed to the realms Of light, but his virtues
still 1.-Two here for our emulation. With them
there will remain also the protection and tsvog
Of tho Most High, II by the practice OF Justice