source of pride to him, and honest exultation to his friends.

The partial unpopularity which Mr. Clay brought upon himself, by his bold and persevering advocacy of a measure, which the majority of his fellow-citizens considered as tending to the subversion of their most important interests, was not of long duration. In 1798-99, the administration of the general government enacted the famous alien and sedition laws, which the democracy of the country justly regarded as violations of the spirit of the constitution, and flagrant aggressions upon the independence of the people. The spirit, which was thus awakened throughout the country, too fierce to be quelled till the administration retraced its steps, is still vivid in the memories of the politicians of that period. Kentucky was one of the first states to array herself against the obnoxious laws, and she kept her attitude, undaunted, to the last. On this occasion, Mr. Clay came forward in defence of the rights of the people; and, notwithstanding his youth and inexperience, and the extraordinary zeal and eloquence of some of the gentlemen who were engaged in the same patriotick cause with himself, he was soon regarded as one of the master-spirits of his party. The object of his exertions was, at once, worthy of his powers, and adapted to their noblest manifestations. He has been deservedly called "the great commoner." It is in the defence of popular rights, and the indignant denunciation of aristocratical tyranny, that his eloquence has been most frequently exerted. A gentleman, who was present at one of the discussions of the alien and sedition laws, informs us, that it would be impossible to give an adequate idea of the effect produced. The populace had assembled in the fields, in the vicinity of Lexington, and were first addressed by Mr. George Nicholas, a distin

guished man, and a powerful speaker. The address of Mr. Nicholas was long and vehement; and when he descended from his stand, he was greeted by the most enthusiastick cheers of the multitude. The name of " CLAY" was now shouted from all parts of the assemblage, and the young orator made his appearance. It was a proud day for him. He resumed the subject of governmental usurpation, which had been discussed by Mr. Nicholas, and set it in a new and more striking light, until indignation came like a dark shadow upon every countenance. The flame that burned in his own heart, was caught up and lighted in every other. He ceased-but there was no shout. The feelings of the gathered multitude were too wild and deep for applause; and a low, sullen murmur, Lose upon the air, like the ominous tones of the ocean, when "the infant storm is sitting on his dim dark cloud." Mr. William Murray, a man of "great worth and popufarity, though a federalist, and a supporter of the administration, now attempted to address the people, in reply to Nicholas and Clay. For some time his efforts were in vain; and he would have been driven from his stand, had not his opponents generously interfered in his behalf. He, too, was a man of strength and eloquence; but now, when his words followed those of Clay and Nicholas, his voice seemed to have lost its spell-it was the quick patter of the rain after the bolt had fallen. Another federalist, whose name we have forgotten, attempted to follow, in support of Mr. Murray-but the people would hear no more. His first words were the signal for a simultaneous rush from all directions toward the spot where he stood; and it was only by a precipitate flight into the country that he escaped being treated with personal indignity. The people now took Clay and Nicholas upon their shoulders, and forcing them into a carriage, drew them through

the streets, amid shouts of applause. Such an incident in the life of a young orator, who, as yet, had scarcely attained to the years of manhood, must have made him feel that he had a spirit within him, which might enable him to acquire a fame that would gather freshness from the stream of years, and flourish beautifully over his tomb, like ivy over the ruins of a fallen temple.

In 1803, while Mr. Clay and a number of his friends were at the Olympian Springs, in Bath county, there was an election of members of the legislature; and, without Mr. C.'s consent or knowledge, a poll was opened for him in the county of Fayette. At first, his success seemed impossible-several old and distinguished candidates having already been brought before the electors. During the first and second days he received a very respectable support, but was not, it is believed, in advance of his rivals, who were constantly on the ground, haranguing the people in favour of their respective claims, and insisting that Mr. Clay did not wish the office, to which his friends had nominated him. On the evening of the second, or the morning of the third day of the election, Mr. C. himself arrived on the ground. At first he adopted the resolution of taking no part in the contest; but after listening, for some time, to the electioneering speeches of his competitors, and witnessing the arts of intrigue that were practised to defeat him, his feelings became gradually interested, and he, at length, addressed the electors in person. His remarks were few, but well directed. He told his fellow-freemen that he was, indeed, young and inexperienced, and had neither announced himself as a candidate, nor solicited their votes; but that, as his friends had thought proper to bring forward his name, he was anxious not to be defeated. He then gave an explanation of his political views, and closed with an ingenuous ap

peal to the feelings of the people; and such was the effect produced, that his election was subsequently carried, almost by acclamation. This was Mr. C's first election to any office; and when we recollect that it took place in a state where, especially at that period, it was the universal practice of candidates to proclaim their own names and qualifications several weeks previous to the day of trial, and seek for support by intrigue, in all its forms of wickedness and cunning, we shall readily conclude that Mr. Clay was regarded, in his own county, as a young man of extraordinary intelligence and political virtue. It is worthy of remark, that the confidence which was thus reposed in him in his earlier years, has never been withdrawn. Whenever his friends have asked an office for him at the hands of the citizens of Fayette, it has been given him by an overwhelming majority.

One of the immediate causes of Mr. Clay's election to the office of representative, in 1803, grew out of the state of public feeling in Fayette, on the subject of the Lexington Insurance Office. Mr. Felix Grundy, then an influential politician in Kentucky, had given evidence of an intention to procure the repeal of the law incorporating the insurance office; and, with a view to this object, was electioneering in the counties south of the Kentucky river. Mr. Clay, being engaged in the practice of law, gave little attention to Mr. Grundy's movements; but it was well known in Fayette, that he regarded the object of Mr. G. as both inexpedient and unconstitutional. Holding these views, he was selected by the friends of the insurance office as their champion. During the legislative session of that year, he easily defeated the attempt that was made to repeal the law of incorporation; but in the following year, 1804, Mr. Grundy himself obtained a seat in the house, and brought with him a majority of members

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pledged to support his views. In such a state of things, it was supposed, that argument would be of no avail. The representatives of the people, even if convinced of the impropriety of the repeal, would have no right to act on that conviction. Mr. Clay, however, met Mr. Grundy in the debate, determined, at least, that the character of the measure, which was about to be forced so improperly through the house, should be thoroughly exposed and understood. The only heroes in opposition were Clay and Grundy, both good speakers, and youthful politicians; and the display of talent by each was so brilliant during the two days of the discussion, that the hall was thronged with spectators, many of whom could obtain no seats; and the members of the Senate were in almost constant attendance at the house. It was the one great debate of the session. All acknowledged that Grundy had talents, and that he managed the debate with extreme adroitness; but no one pretended that he was equal to his opponent, either in elocution. political information. logical skill, or extent of mental resources. After finding himself compelled to desist from offensive warfare. he tried every expedient to secure a safe escape; but his eagle-foe pursued him close in all his movements—his sweeps towards earth and his flights towards heaven-and, at last, grappled with him, and held him fast. In the trial of numbers, which followed this encounter, Mr. Grundy's party prevailed, as had been foreseen; but this poor triumph availed nothing. Mr. Clay had so plainly demonstrated the unconstitutionality and impolicy of the measure, against which his efforts were directed, that the members of the Senate, who had been present, reversed the doings of the house without a division, and almost without a discussion, and the insurance company was permitted to retain its charter.