His home, “Ashland,” on the suburbs of Lexington, is now a part of the University of Kentucky. The old Court House in which so many of his famous speeches were made still stands in Lexington, and is cherished as an honoured reminder of his greatness in the eyes of his admiring compatriots. See under A. H. Stephens, Sketch in the Senate, 1850; also, Life, by Prentice, and by Schurz.
WORKS.
Speeches, [of which several collections have been made.]
Henry Clay was perhaps the greatest popular leader and orator that America has produced, although his influence will not be so lasting as that of profounder statesmen. He was a master of the feelings and could sway the multitude before him as one man. “His style of argument was by vivid picture, apt comparison, and forcible illustration, rather than by close reasoning like Webster’s, or impregnable logic like that of Calhoun.”—John P. McGuire.
TO BE RIGHT ABOVE ALL.
Sir, I would rather be right than be president. (In 1850, on being told that his views would endanger his nomination for the presidency.)
NO GEOGRAPHICAL LINES IN PATRIOTISM.
I know no North, no South, no East, no West.
MILITARY INSUBORDINATION.
(From the speech on the Seminole War, delivered 1819.)