Year: 1860




No one familiar with the political events Of
President Tyler's Administration can have for
gotten the antagonism which existed between the
President and the great Statesman of Kentucky.
Mr.. Clay, 1t will be recollected proposed series
of leading measures in Congress, nearly all OF
which were arrested by the interposition Of the
Executive veto. Besides the political differences
which existed between the President and the great
Wing leader there was also personal variance
growing out of the belief that Mr.. Tyler had tor
feited the confidence, by opposing the policy, Of
the party Which had elevated him to power.


And yet the other day, in the city of Richmond,
conspicuous among those. who had come from
long distance to witness the Inauguration OF the
statue of the Great Commoner was the venera-
BILE Ex-President of the United States. Though
more than seventy years had passed over his head,
and though private citizen with no desire or
hope of any further political station he was
among the first to do honor to the memory OF
man with whom he was in active conflict during
an important part of his political career. But ne
forgot old anmosites in the recollection OF Mir.
Clay's splendid services to the country. He
buried in oblivion all memory of the fierce con-
ficts of other days. Standing before the efiigy OF
the dead Clay, the heart of the EzPresident beat
with as high homage, we doubt not, as did that OF
any one else in that vast assembiage which had
come to witness the imposing spectacle.


The ExPresident made speech at the banquet
in the evening which was honorable alike to him
self and to the subject of his eulogy. i am here
to-day" said he, "because in my heart believe
that Mr.. Clay has title to monument for an act
of broad and unselsh patriotism, in the course OF
his public career, which, standing by itself, have
not hesitated at all times and in all places, when
it was suitable, to say entitled him not only to a
monument of brass or marble, but to one in the
| hearts of his countrymen. The brow of the Roman
citizen who had saved the life of another in battle
| was encircled by an oaken wreath. What badge
| of distinction is proud enough for him who saves
! his country from civil war? Ask the parent who
enfolds his little children and the companion of his


hopes and trials and triumphs in life in his arms, at
the horrible specter of civil brol which threatened
| with grim aspect to enter his peaceful dwelling
| Ask the lone and widowed mother as she flies to
the rocks and deserts with her child strained to her
breast, and concealed from view by the tresses OF
/ her streaming hair? Ask brave and stalwart men
as they take their position in opposing ranks to
/ shed each others blood? Ask one-ask all-what
monument he deserves who drives away this hor-
rible specter of civil war and restores his country
| to peace and confidence? Nay, more-ask the
| lovers of freedom all over the world what is the
| measure of their gratitude to the man who saves
that glorious banner, without star shorn of its
dazzling ustre-the herald, if SO preserved of uti
mate freedom to mankind-from being torn and
destroyed in the bloody of strife and battle
| II ecds because IN 7ay iner1laost heart belieUt
Henry Clay did his, that I am here today !"


/ Thus spoke Mr.. Tyler Of Henry Clay; and the
eulogy, we repeat, was honorable to its author
Mr.. Clay foresaw, in his life, and always said, tha
justice would eventually be done him. 1t remains
for his survivors only to see how full, ample ant
| complete that justice is.