The
Vol. VII.
No. 10.
Green
BOSTON.
Bag.
October, 1895.
"THE GREAT COMMONER." Bv Henry Coyle. "' I "HE lives of great men," observes a -L writer, " are a constant inspiration, both to young and old. They teach Gar field's oft-repeated maxim, that ' the genius of success is still the genius of labor.' They teach patriotism — a deeper love for and de votion to America. They teach that life with some definite and noble purpose, is worth living!" Carl Schurz, in his life of Clay, remarks : "Few public characters in American history have been the subject of more heated con troversy than Henry Clay. There was no measure of detraction and obloquy to which, during his lifetime, his opponents would not resort, and there seemed to be no limit to the admiration and attachment of his friends. While his enemies denounced him as a pretender and selfish intriguer in poli tics, and an abandoned profligate in private life, his supporters unhesitatingly placed him first among the sages of the period, and
- * * sometimes even among its
saints. The animosities against him have naturally long ago disappeared; but even now * * * we may hear old men, who knew him in the days of his strength, speak of him with an enthusiasm and affection so warm and fresh as to convince us that the recollection of having followed his leader ship is among the dearest treasures of their memory. The remarkable fascination he exercised seems to have reached even be yond his living existence." Henry Clay was born on the 12th day of April, 1777, in a place called " The Slashes,"
a part of Hanover County, in Virginia. His father was a Baptist clergyman, who labored hard and earnestly, receiving but little earthly reward. When Henry was only four years old, his father died, and Mrs. Clay was left with seven children, two of them being younger than the future states man. The widow was a hard-working wo man, and she creditably reared her large family; Clay's whole life was colored and influenced by her high courage and energy. Men, in the fierce battle of life, may for get to be kind and compassionate, but they never forget the teachings and prayers of a good mother. It was at his mother's knee that Lincoln learned to read and write in the little breaks that the busy woman could make between her many tasks. " God bless my mother!" he exclaimed one day, when he was president; "all I am or can be I owe to her." When Henry was about fourteen years old, he went to work in a store in the city of Richmond, and remained there about twelve months. His education was limited, and many years later he described himself at this period as " a lank, awkward youth." About this time his mother married again, and through his step-father's influence he entered the office of the Chancery Court, Richmond. He now began the study of law, but with no regularity, and with no fixed design of becoming a lawyer. Attorney-General Brooke, who had formerly been governor of Virginia, became interested in the young 44i
