Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-05-14

The humble beginning of Garfield on
the tow-path, and Lincoln splitting
rails is duplicated in Clay's homely mill
trips, and while the former two at
tained the greatest Of their ambitions
the presidency, Clay was no less a
prominent figure, even If he failed to
reach the goal after three unsuccess-
full attempts.
At the age of IA Clay was placed be-
hind the counter in a retail store In
Richmond, whittier the family had
moved when his mother married a
second time. His talent was early
recognized, and he was given a clerk
ship in the Virginia high court of
chancery. Here he acquired consider
able experience in the copying of le-
gal documents, and after certain time
he determined to become a lawyer.
After Clay was admitted to the bar
he felt that Richmond did not offer
the opportunity for which he was
searching, and he set out. with his
practitioners license in his pocket, for
the newly opened country of Ken
lucky, where his mother and father
had preceded him. The Mill Boy Of
the Slashes" was now to become the
leading lawyer Of Lexington.
Clay was barely 21 when he reached
Lexington. In early years, finding his
voice defective, he had set about stea5-
fastly to improve 1t. Day by day he
declaimed to the empty fields or to
audiences of farm animals until, by
dint of long practice, he had perfected
the rich, silvery tones that charmed
all hearers, and with which he could
play at will as on the stops Of an or
gan.
Clay's success as a lawyer was un-
paralleled, and as a natural corollary
Of the law he came into politics, and
here, too he made rapid progress. His
first position was a seat in the legis-
lature Of his state, which he acquired
in 1903. There he soon became recog-
nized as the remarkable man Of the
state, and it is told that when 1.-The
Mill Boy of the Slashes'' spoke in the
house the balconies Of the senate were
emptied.
From the Kentucy house to the
United States senate by appointment
shows the remarkable rise Of this
young man. Back again at the expira-
ton of the term, he again was sent to
his states legislature. While there, as
an illustration of how thorough an
American he was, the following ex-
ample will suffice: He offered the
recommendation that the members
should wear only clothes that were the
product of domestic manufacture.
Clay said: Earlier it was thought
that a gentleman's head could not
withstand the influence of Soils heat
unless covered with a London hat,
that his feet could not bear the peb-
bles or frost unless protected by Lon
don shoes; and the comfort or orna-
ment of his person was not satisfac-
tory unless his coat was cut out by the
shears of tailor "just from London"
There was pleasure and pride, he
thought, in being clad in the produc-
tions of our own families, and with
youthful ardor he exclaimed: "Others
may prefer the clothes Of Leeds and
of London, but give me those Of Hum
phreyville."
In 1908 Clay was again in the United
States senate by appointment, and at
the conclusion of the war Of 1872. he
was selected as one Of the American
commission to negotiate the peace Of
Client.
From this on his political career was
varied. He was the most prominent
figure in the Missouri compromise con-
troversy, and when Mr.. Preston OF
Kentucky, told him that the compro-
mise measure, which he advocated as
a means of preserving the Union,
would hinder his chances for the pres
idency, it was then he made the ia
than be president"
Another of Clay's familiar sayings at
this time was: Il know no north, no
south, no east, no west. If Kentucky
should tomorrow unfurl the banner Of
resistance unjustly I will never fight
under that banner. owe paramount
allegiance to the whole United States;
a subordinate one to my own state.
The senator speaks of Virginia being
my country. The Union, sir, Is my
country"
Three times Clay was made the
candidate of his party for the high
est office in the gift Of the people, but
the Mill Boy of the Slashes" was not
to attain this honor. Each time he
came near winning, and upon the Sec
ond occasion, when he was defeated by
"Old Hickory" he was not very great
loser, and at his last defeat, in 1874,
he received only a few thousand votes
less than James K. Polk.
In all these campaigns the nickname
of Clay, 1.-The Mill Boy of the Slashes,"
was used conspicuously at all the
political gatherings very much the
same way as "Old Tippecanoe" and
Log Cabin and Hard Cider" were used
during the presidential campaigns Of
Harrison and Tyler.
Time has not lessened the Ameri-
can regard for Henry Clay, but rather
each year the memory Of the wonder
full accomplishments of this poor boy
Of the Slashes" is becoming perma-
nently stamped upon the people Of the
United States and upon the pages of
history.