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HExTRAcT FROM THE LIFE OF THE HON.


HENRY CLAY, BY GEoBGE D. PRENTIss.


THE EDITOR OF THE KENTUCKY CLAY


ORGAN.


"Thc commencement of Mr.. Claws
political career may be dated as far
back as the year 1914 period at
which he had scarcely begun the prac-
ticc OF law. The people of Kentucky
were then about TO elect convention
to frame new constitution for the
State; and one feature of the plan,
which had been submitted to them was
q provision for the fnal emancipation Of
the slaOc population. The strongest
prejudices ia majority of the people
in every part of the State, were arrang-
cd against this measure, and Mr..
CLAN was aware of the fact, but his
SENTlMEN and his FEELINGS
were Oh the side of EMANCIPATION;
and without taking a moments heed to
his popularity, he entered into the de-
fence Of his FAVORITE POLICY
with all the deep and unquenchable
ardor of his nature. His vigorous pen
was busy in the public journals, and
his eloquent voice was raised in almost
every assemblage, in favor of the cleo
tion of men to the convention, who
would contend for the ERADICA-
TlON OF SLAVERY. Let it not be
supposed, that the principles which he
cssaycd to vindicate, were the same
that arc avowed by certain il.judging
philantrophists ofthe present day. He
did no. contend for the abolition of
slavery at once, but by slow and ccr-
tain process. He did not propose to
break suddenly down the barriers of
the fea rful lake, and let the dark and
laundering torrent sweep over the
country like the tide OF death-but O.
pen an outlet through which the wa
ters might pass off in silence and safe
ty. The struggle was fierce one;
but the advocates of slavery prevailed,
.and the young champion of liberty and
equal rights, who made the ariStocrdts
of the land tremble for their ancient
prerogatiyas, became unpopular on ac-
count of the part he had acted. The
true principles ofslavery were not then
understood. The idea of cmancipa-
ton was new. 1t alarmed the preju-
dices Of the multitude, and Mr.. Clay's
pOireJul 0intications of it were regard
ed by many, as the brilliant but way
ward efforts Of a young votary of am.
bition striving to attract attention by
the startling and paradoxical charac-
ter of his opinions, than as the results
OF calm and deliberate conviction ofI
right. This was unquestionably a mis-
take. His SINCERITY IN OPPOS-
ING NEGRO SERVITUDE was
manifest from every act Of his life
from his professional no less than his
political exertions. Whenever slave
brought an action at law for his liberty,
MR. CLAY volunteered as his advo-
cate; and, it is said, that in the whole
course of his practice, he never failed
to obtail decision in the slaves favor.
A passion for the liberty of mankind
seems. to have, at that early period,
been portion of his being, and he |
has never changed since. He has been
the slaves friend through life. In all
stations he has pleaded AFRICAN
FREEDOM, without fear from high or
low. To HIM, MORE than any 9TH
er individual, is to. be ascribcd that
GREAT REVOLUTION which has
taken place in the public sentiment u
pom, this subject-=a revolution, whose
wheels must continue to move onward,
till they reach the goal of UNIVER-
Sal. FREEDOM. A conviction Of
The expcdieney and necessity of E.
MANCIPATIDN, has been spreading
farther and farther among our coun-
trymen, and taking deeper and deeper
root in their minds, and it requires not
the spirit Of prophecy to foretell the
END. This rapid and continued tri-
bImph Of the PRINCIPLES, of which
it was the object of Mr.. CLAY'S first
political l,bors to establish, may we'll
|bc source Of pride to him, and hon,
NSt exultation to his friends" =
- ,Zz;tz ,Z5At =, Y: z:..-,, zMs@~A11IlAss
txtracfof a letter to1he Editor, dated


NdtcAes, June4, 1888.


Business throughout the country is re-
viving. Tho darkest days in monetary af-
fairs have been reached, and commerce,
condolences activity and enterprise are