What piercèth the king like the point of a dart? What drives the bold blood from his cheek to his heart? They are read-and Belshăzzar is dead on the ground! B. W. PROCTER. HE III. 160. CHARACTER OF HENRY CLAY. E was indeed eloquent-all the world knows that. He held the keys to the hearts of his countrymen, and he turned the wards' within them with a skill attained by no other master. But eloquence was, nevertheless, only an instrument, and one of many that he used. 2. His conversation, his gestures, his very look was magisterial, persuasive, seductive, irresistible. And his appliance of all these was courteous, patient, and indefatigable. Defeat only inspired him with new resolution. He divided opposition by his assiduity of address, while he rallied and strengthened his own bands of supporters by the confidence of success which, feeling himself, he easily inspired among his followers. 3. His affections were high, and pure, and generous, and the chiefèst among them was that one which the great Italian (Ĭ tăl’yăn) poet designated as the charity of native land. In him, that charity was an enduring and overpowering enthusiasm, and it influenced all his sentiments and conduct, rendering him more impartial between conflicting interests and sections, than any other statesman who has lived since the Revolution. 3 4. Thus, with great versatility of talent, and the most catholic equality of favor, he identified every question, whether of domestic administration or foreign policy, with his own great name, and so became a perpetual Tribune' of the people. He . 1 Wards, the inner parts of a lock. 'Mag`is tē ́ ri al, like a master; commanding. ' Ver sa til' i ty, the faculty of easily turning one's mind to new subjects. 4 Căth'o lic, embracing the whole; liberal. 5 Tribune, in ancient Rome, an officer chosen by the people to protect them from the oppressions of the nobles. needed only to pronounce in favor of a measure, or against it, here, and immediately popular enthusiasm, excited as by a magic wand, was felt, overcoming and dissolving all opposition in the senate-chamber. 5. In this way, he wrought a change in our political system, that, I think, was not foreseen by its founders. He converted this branch of the legislature from a negative position, or one of equilibrium between the executivé and the house of representatives, into the active, ruling power of the republic. Only time can disclose whether this great innovation shall be beneficent, or even permanent. 6. Certainly, sir, the great lights of the senate have set. The obscuration' is no less palpable to the country than to us, who are left to grope our uncertain way here, as in a labyrinth, oppressed with self-distrust. The time, too, presents new embarrassments. 7. We are rising to another and more sublime stage of national progress-that of expanding wealth and rapid territorial aggrand'izement. Our institutions throw a broad shadow across the St. Lawrence, and, stretching beyond the valley of Mexico, reach even to the plains of Central America, while the Sandwich Islands and the shores of China rec'ognize their renovating' influence. 8. Wherever that influence is felt, a desire for protection under 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 one knows how rapidly that restraint may give way. Who can tell how far or how fast it ought to yield? 9. Commerce has brought the ancient continents near to us, and created necessities for new positions-perhaps connections or colonies there—and with the trade and friendship of the elder nations, their conflicts and collisions are brought to our doors and to our hearts. Our sympathy kindles, or indifference extinguishes, the fires of freedom in foreign lands. 10. Before we shall be fully conscious that a change is going on in Europe, we may find ourselves once more divided by that 1 Ob`scu ra' tion, the state of being obscured, or darkened. 2 Ag grǎnd'ĭze ment, exaltation; the act or state of becoming great or greater in power, rank, or honor; augmentation; enlargement. 9 Rění o vāt ing, restoring to a good state; renewing. eternal line of separation that leaves on the one side those of our citizens who obey the impulses of sympathy, while on the other are found those who submit only to the counsels of prudence. Even prudence will soon be required to decide whether distant regions, east and west, shall come under our own protection, or be left to aggrandize a rapidly spreading domain of hostile despotism. 11. Sir, who among us is equal to these mighty questions? I fear there is no one. Nevertheless, the example of Henry Clay remains for our instruction. His genius has passed to the realms of light, but his virtues still live here for our emulation.' With them there will remain, also, the protection and favor of the Most High, if, by the practice of justice and the main'tenance of freedom, we shall deserve them. 12. Let, then, the bier pass on. We will follow with sorrow but not without hope, the reverend form that it bears to its final resting-place; and then, when that grave opens at our feet to receive so ĕs'timable a treasure, we will invoke the God of our fathers to send us new guides, like him that is now withdrawn, and give us wisdom to obey their instructions. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. IV. A MONG the many memorable words which fell from the lips of our friend just before they were closed forever, the most remarkable are those which have been quoted by a previous speaker,- "I STILL LIVE." They attest the serene composure of his mind; the Christian heroism with which he was able to turn his consciousnèss in upon himself, and explore, step by step, the dark passage (dark to us, but to him, we trust, already lighted from above), which connects this world with the world to come. 2. But I know not what words could have been better chosen to express his relation to the world he was leaving—“I still live." This poor dust is just returning to the dust from which 1 Em`u la' tion, effort to equal or surpass. portion of a speech delivered in Faneuil Hall, Boston, on the 27th of *This extract is the concluding October, 1852. it was taken, but I feel that I live in the affections of the people to whose services I have consecrated my days. "I still live." The icy hand of death is already laid on my heart, but I shall still live in those words of counsel which I have uttered to my fellow-citizens, and which I now leave them as the last bequest of a dying friend. 3. In the long and honored career of our lamented friend, there are efforts and triumphs which will hereafter fill one of the brightest pages of our history. But I greatly err if the closing scene-the height of the religious sublime-does not, in the judgment of other days, far transcend in interèst the brightèst exploits of public life. Within that darkened chamber at Marshfield was witnessed a scene of which we shall not readily find the parallel. 4. The serenity with which he stood in the presence of the King of Terrors, without trepidation or flutter, for hours and days of expectation: the thoughtfulness for the public business, when the sands were so nearly run out; the hospitable care for the reception of the friends who came to Marshfield; that affectionate and solemn leave separately taken, name by name, of wife and children and kindred and friends and family, down to the humblèst members of the household; the designation of the coming day, then near at hand, when "all that was mortal of Daniel Webster should cease to exist!" the dimly-recollected strains of the funeral poetry of Gray; the last faint flash of the soaring intellect; the feebly-murmured words of Holy Writ repeated from the lips of the good physician, who, when all the resources of human art had been exhausted, had a drop of spiritual balm for the parting soul; the clasped hands; the dying prayers. Oh! my fellow-citizens, this is a consummation' over which tears of pious sympathy will be shed ages after the glories of the forum and the senate are forgotten. 5. "His sufferings ended with the day, Yet lived he at its close; And breathed the long, long night away, 1 Thomas Gray, the poet, author of the "Elegy Written in a Country Church-yard," was born in 1716, and died in 1771. 2 Con`sum ma' tion, the act of carrying to the utmost extent or degree; completion; termination; close; perfection. 6. "But ere the Sun, in all his state, Illumed the Eastern skies, He passed through glory's morning gate, V. EDWARD EVERETT. 162. LAST HOURS OF J. Q. ADAMS. HE distinguished characteristics of his life were beneficent' labor and personal contentment. He never sought wealth, but devoted himself to the service of mankind; yet, by the practice of frugality and method, he secured the enjoyment of dealing forth continually no stinted charities, and died in affluence. 2. He never solicited place or preferment, and had no partisan combinations or even connections; yet he received honors which eluded the covetous grasp of those who formed parties, rewarded friends, and proscribed enemies; and he filled a lõnger period of varied and distinguished service than ever fell to the lot of any other citizen. In every state of this progress he was content. He was content to be president, minister, representative, or citizen. 2 3. Stricken in the midst of this service, in the very act of rising to debate, he fell into the arms of conscript fathers of the republic. A long lethargy supervened, and oppressed his senses. Nature rallied the wasting powers, on the verge of the grave, for a very brief period. But it was long enough for him. The rekindled eye showed that the re-collected mind was clear, calm, and vigorous. 4. His weeping family and his sorrowing compeers were there. He surveyed the scene, and knew at once its fatal impōrt. He had left no duty unperformed; he had no wish unsatisfied; no ambition unattained; no regret, no sorrow, no fear, no remorse. 5. He could not shake off the dews of death that gathered on his brow. He could not pierce the thick shades that rose up 1 Be něf i cent, marked by char ity, kindness, or active goodness. 2 Con' script, written; enrolled. Conscript fathers, the senators of Rome, the name having been applied first to certain new senators enrolled with the original body, and afterward to all of them. |