The Savannah morning news., 1902-07-13

oinnati Enquirer, it is not likely there
uiIl ever be repetition. Col. Benton,
IN his Thirty Years in the Senate"
sneaking of this event, says: 1T was
the first occasion of the kind, and thus
cor the last, and it might not be rec
commended for any one, except another
Henry Clay, If another should ever ap-
near" On that day Henry Clay deliv-
cred his valedictory address and re-
tired from the position he had occu-
MED in public life since 1906. At an
carly age he was appointed to fill a
vacancy in the United States Senate
bv his adopted state, Kentucky.
His youthful appearance suggested
he had not reached the age required
by the constitution-he was barely 30
Years old-and being questioned on the
subject he replied he would refer that
question to the state which had hon
ored him. From his first entrance in
70 the Senate he assumed a leading
mart in the debates, for which his elo-
ouence so fervid, his will so strong,
and his courage so daring admirably
fitted him. These qualities, added to
his great talents, gave him the lead
and supremacy in his party.
In 1911, after serving his term in
the Senate, he was elected a member
of Congress from Kentucky, and was
chosen Speaker at a time when war
with Great Britain was pending. He
espoused the war with great power.
and at it's conclusion. in 1914. he was
one of the commissioners appointed,
with John Quincy Adams. Jonathan
Russell. Hon. James A. Bayard and
Albert Gallatin, to negotiate the treaty
of Client and arrange the terms of
peace He was reelected to Congress
before his return from Europe, and
was again elected Speaker, and in 1917
was reelected without opposition. In
1928 he was again elected Speaker.
He resigned from the House of Rep
resentativegs in 1925 to accept the po-
sjtion of Secretary of State under the
administration of John Quincy Adams.
After his long term of public service
Mr. Clay had determined to withdraw
from the Senate and retire to private
life. The election of Gen. Harrison
afforded him the opportunity, but the
brief regime of the President. who
died in the first month of his occupation
of the Executive Chair, rendered the
victory of the Wing party barren
one and Mr.. Clay remained to en-
gage in the efforts to afford some re-
lief to the financial sufferings which
prevailed
Senate Chamber Crowded.
It having been previously understood
that Mr. Clay would take the OCCASION
in presenting the credentials of his
4 successor, Mr.. Crittenden. on the 31st
of March, 1874, to make some valedict-
DRY remarks, the Senate was crowded
& 1t was in the old Senate chamber.
& now the Supreme Court room, which
was so much smaller than the present
chamber that the auditorium could not
hold the crowd which filled the Hobbies
surrounding the chamber, and the
n doors We're left open that the throng
outside might hear.
after some preliminary business Mr.
Clay rose to make a motion.
And now" said Mr.. Clay, "allow
me to announce formally and officially
my retirement from the Senate of the
United States, and to present the last
motion | shall ever make to this body.
Eut before l make that motion 1 trust
| shall be pardoned if / avail myself
of the occasion to make a few obser-
vations which are suggested to my
mind by the present occasion.
the Senate is, sufficient to fill the as
prations of the most ambitious heart
| have long determined to forego 1t
and to seek that repose which can only
be enjoyed in the shade of private life,
and amid the calm pleasures which be-
long to that beloved word home
From 1906, the period of my entry
on this noble theater, with short in
tervals, to the present time, l have
Il been engaged in the public councils at
home and abroad OF the nature of
the services rendered during that long
and arduouS period of my life it does
not become me to speak; history, if
she deigns to notice me, or posterity,
If the recollections of my humble ac-
TONS be transmitted to posterity, are
the best, the truest and the most i'm
partial judges. When death has closed
the scene, then her sentence will be
pronounced, and to that l appeal and
refer myself. My acts and public con-
quot are affairs subject to the criti-
clsm and judgment of my fellowmen;
out the private motives by which they
nave been prompted-they are known
only to the create Searcher of the hui
man heart and myself, and 1 trust
may be pardoned for repeating dec
aration made some thirteen years ago,
mat whatever errors-and | doubt not
mere have been many-inay be discov-
cred IN review of my public services
10 the country, l can with mistaken
confidence appeal to the Divine Arbiter
LOT the truth of the declaration that l
nave been Influenced by no impure
purpose, no personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT,
Out IN all my public acts 1 have had
sole and single eye, and warm and
ueVoted heart, devoted and dedicated
20 what, in my judgment, l believed
70 De the true interest of my country.
During that long period, however.
l nave not escaped the fate of other
public men, nor failed to incur cen
sure and destruction of the blacklist
ana most unrelenting and most malig-
ndht character, and though not always
inlsensible to the pain it was meant to
iiIlllct, l have borne it in general with
Conposure and without disturbance,
waiting as I have done in perfect and
ttiuoubting confidence for the ultimate
" triumph of justice and truth and in
me entire persuasion that time would
III the end settle all things as they
Should be.
Tribute co Friends Loyalty.
But I have not, meanwhile, been
utlhsustained,. Everywhere throughout
tle extent of this great continent l
nave had cordial, warm-hearted and de-
aoted friends, who have known me and
Justly appreciated my motives. To
I'm, II language were susceptible of
r rully expressing my acknowledge
aehls | would now offer them all the
n gsurn have to make for their gen.
ssl7 disinterested and persevering
,r,lehty and devoted attachment. But
~. Iaal in suitable language to ex-
press my gratitude IN them for all the