From the Philadelphia Forum.
HENRY CLAY-HlS VALEDICTO
RY, AND HIS POSITION
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Perhaps during the eventfuI public ca
reer of Henry Clay, his noble character
was never so oconspcuously and impressive
Nv exhibited as on the occasion of his volun-
tary retirement from the Senate of The Uni
ted States on the 3 list day March, 1912
Every one seemed to regard it as a memoir
able event in the history of this Republic
patty discussion was spended-crowds of
people thronged the avenue which led to
Senate Chamber, TO listen to the last speech
in his Senatorial capacity OF the Great
Statesman of the West. who had for so long
a period, stood as an untiring Sentinel on the
watch tower Of freedom. Ii was an occa


sion eminently calculated TO call into action
all his noble powers. and to stay the calum-
MES ofpolitical opponents. Ii was on that
morning that he, before his co-laborers in
the cause of the country, and in the pres
ence Of an immense multitude. pronounced
that remarkable valedictory which shall go
down to future generations as the inspira-
zion ola patriotic heart. His voice alone
was heard for all else was silent as The
chamber of the dead: For more than thir'
" years with short intervals, had he occu-
pied n seat in that House During that
long period, notwithstanding the difficulties
and opposition with which he was compell-
cd to contend had he enjoyed, BY universal
consent, the appellailon of the "great Pacifi-
Gator" and to him had the country looked
as the only man capable of extricating her
irom The dangers to which she had been ex-
posed. True, his acts had drawn down up
on him the censure of a portion of his fel-
low-ciIizens but few. if any. ever doubted
ne purity OF his motives. On the occasion
alluded to he said -


My acts and public conduct are fair
subject for the criticism and judgment OF my
lellow-men but the private motives by
which they have been prompted, are known
only to the Great Searcher of the human
heaTt and to myself and trust may be
pardoned tor repeating declaration made
'h'steea yeats ago. that, whatever errors
Sad doubtless there have been nmany-may be
discovered IN review Of my public service
'''he country, l can, with uushaken conf