USA > Kentucky > Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. II > Part 32
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Gen. Breckinridge's troops were then incorporated with Gen. Early's and he was placed in command of a corps. They next prepared for operations in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. On June 22d, they took up the line of march. July 3, 1864, Breckinridge's command captured Mar- tinsburg; July 5th, the whole army crossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown ; July 9th, Breckinridge defeated and routed Gen. Lew. Wallace at Monocacy, which left the way open to Washington. On the 11th the Confederates reached Silver Spring, only six miles from the Federal city, and within sight of the dome of the Capitol. Skirmishing occurred the next day ; but that night Gen. Early, for prudential reasons, ordered a retreat-re-crossing the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry on the night of the 13th. Gen. Breckinridge remained in the Valley, participating in the serious engagements there fought.
But a few days after the battle of Winchester he received orders from Richmond to return to south-west Virginia, which he did in time to repel the Federal forces which, under Gen. Stephen G. Burbridge, were operating in that quarter. He continued in command of this department until Feb. 4, 1865, when he was appointed secretary of war, to succeed Hon. James A. Seddon, and was thus engaged to the close of the war.
After the fall of Richmond, and the collapse of the Confederacy, he made his way to the Florida coast, whence he escaped in a small boat and reached Cuba in safety. He visited Canada and Europe, and returned to his home, at Lexington, Ky., a year or more afterwards. Avoiding all political compli- cations, he has since devoted himself exclusively to his profession, and to business engagements as vice president of the Elizabethtown, Lexington & Big Sandy railroad.
Gen. Breckinridge has (1873) just turned his 51st year, and is now in the prime of physical and mental vigor. He entered into the public service in early life, and thus far the promise of his young manhood has been nobly sustained. The unwise policy of the party in power deprives the nation of the safe counsels of men of his stamp. When a more liberal policy obtains, as it must, the eloquent voice of John C. Breckinridge will be heard once more. Ile has been wise in the council, brave in the field, alike a scholar and statesman. But his history is not yet all written.
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WILLIAM A. DUDLEY, son of Dr. Benj. W. Dudley (see portrait, in group of Kentucky Railroad Presidents), was born in Lexington, June 9, 1824, and died March 19, 1870-aged nearly 46; graduated at Princeton college, N. J., 1842; studied law, and entered upon the practice, at Lexington, 1844; ap- pointed quartermaster general of Ky., Oct. 3. 1861; represented Favette county in the state senate for four years, 1865-69; became president of the Louisville and Frankfort, and Frankfort and Lexington railroads in 1866, and shortly after undertook the great work of his life-the branch road from Lagrange to Cincinnati, which was opened for business in June, 1869; the whole was consolidated Sept. 11, 1869, and is now called the Louisville, Cin- cinnati and Lexington (or Short-Line) railroad. It is a remarkable fact (unparalleled in any state west or south of New York), that this branch of 81 miles, with its bridge over Kentucky river, was built entirely by Ken- tucky capital, and without state or county subscriptions-Mr. Dudley in- spiring such confidence, that the bonds of the company were taken by individuals and corporations all over northern and middle Kentucky.
MADISON C. JOHNSON, of Lexington (see portrait in group of Kentucky Lawyers), is one of the fittest living representatives of that small class of intellectual men who, in youth, select a profession and follow it, con amore, through life. He was born in Scott co., Ky., Dec. 21, 1807; graduated at Transylvania University, during the presidency of the celebrated Dr. Holley, June, 1823, at the remarkable age of 153 years, taking the first honor in a class of 32; graduated at Transylvania law school, and has practiced law ever since he became of age-attaining a reputation as a profound lawyer second to no man now living in Kentucky. He has sedulously eschewed polities, turning aside only for four years, 1853-55 and 1857-59, to represent Fayette county in the lower branch of the legislature. In 1850, he was one of the commissioners who prepared the code of practice ; the same year, was chosen and has continued a professor of Transylvania law school; and since 1858, has been president of the Northern Bank of Kentucky, its third presi- dent in 38 years. Mr. Johnson married, Dec. 23, 1828, when just 21, a daughter of Gen. Green Clay and sister of Gen. Cassius M. Clay, of Madison county ; she died within a year, Oct. 23, 1829, and Mr. J. has remained unmarried.
Judge AARON KITCHELL WOOLLEY, one of the most cultivated, elegant, and attractive of the public men of Fayette county, was the son of a Revolution- ary officer; born at Springfield, New Jersey, Jan., 1800; graduated at West Point, at the head of his class, and for two years was retained as assistant professor; resigning his position, he studied law at Pittsburgh with IIon. Richard Biddle, one of the most eminent jurists of America and brother of the celebrated U. S. Bank president, Nicholas Biddle; at 23, began a highly successful practice at Port Gibson, Mississippi ; in 1827, for summer relaxa- tion, visited Lexington, Ky., then the seat of greatest refinement in the west ; there met and married Sally Howard Wickliffe, eldest daughter of Robert Wickliffe, who survived him until 1873; became the law partner of Mr. Wickliffe, who soon after retired, and left upon Mr. Woolley the responsi- bility of a large and important practice; represented Fayette county in the Ky. house of representatives for two years, 1832, '34, and for four years in the senate, 1835-39; was circuit judge for about five years, when he grew tired and resigned; for some years was joint professor with chief justices Geo. Robertson and Thos. A. Marshall of the most celebrated law school in the west. In 1849, he was a candidate for the convention to revise the Con- stitution, and assured of success, but was seized with epidemic cholera, and died only three days before the election, Aug. 5, 1849, aged nearly 50 years.
HENRY CLAY, the son of a Baptist clergyman of respectable standing, was born in Hanover county, Virginia, on the 12th of April, 1777. His father died when young Henry had attained his fifth year, and the care of superintending his education devolved on his widowed mother. She appears to have been a lady of sterling worth, singular intelligence, and masculine vigor of intellect. Though left in very reduced circumstances, she was enabled, by prudence, economy, and
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energy, to raise her large family in comfort, and to place her sons in the way to assume stations of respectability and honor in society. Mr. Clay has never ceased to cherish a tender and profound affection and reverence for the memory of this fond mother, and has frequently expressed his sense of the inestimable advantage derived from this early maternal training.
The boyhood of Henry Clay was furnished with few of those facilities for ob- taining a literary education, which are now accessible to almost all. His mind was left to develop its powers and attain its growth through the force of its own innate energies, with but little aid from books or competent instructors. Those rich treasures of intellectual wealth, which are to be found in well selected libra- ries and properly organized schools, were to him a sealed fountain. The extent of his boyish attainments in literature. consisted of the common elements taught in a country school of the most humble pretensions. Even these slender advan- tages were but sparingly enjoyed, and the future orator and statesman was com- pelled, by the straitened circumstances of his family, to devote a considerable portion of his time to manual labor in the field. The subsequent brilliant achievements of that master mind, derive increased lustre from the contemplation of the obstacles thus early interposed to its progress, and no more honorable tes- timony can be offered to the ardour, energy, and invincibility of that towering in- tellect and imperial spirit, than the severe trials which at this period it encoun- tered, and over which it triumphed. It is probable that this early familiarity with the sternest realities of life, contributed to give to his mind that strong practical bias, which has subsequently distinguished his career as a statesman : while there can be no doubt that the deinands thus continually made upon his energies, tended to a quick development of that unyielding strength of character which bears down all opposition, and stamps him as one of the most powerful spirits of the age.
At the age of fourteen, he was placed in a small drug store in the city of Richmond, Virginia. He continued in this situation but a few months, and in 1792 entered the office of the clerk of the high court of chancery. While in this office he attracted the attention of chancellor Wythe, who, being very favorably impressed by his amiable deportment, uniform habits of industry, and striking displays of intelligence, honored him with his friendship, and employed him as an amanuensis. It was probably through the advice of chancellor Wythe that he first conceived the design of studying law, and he has himself borne testimony to the fact, that his intercourse with that great and good man exercised a decided and very salutary influence in the development of his mental powers, and the for- mation of his character.
In the year 1796, he went to reside with Robert Brooke, Esq .. attorney gen- eral of Virginia. While in the family of this gentleman, his opportunities for acquiring a knowledge of the profession to which he had determined to devote his life, were greatly improved, and he appears to have cultivated thein with ex- emplary assiduity. The year 1797 seems to have been devoted by Mr. Clay exclusively to the study of his profession. It is worthy of remark, that this was the first year in which his necessities permitted him to pursue an uninterrupted system of study, and so eagerly did he avail himself of the privilege, and such was the ardor and vivacity of his mind, that near the close of the year he ob- tained from the Virginia court of appeals a license to practice. Of course the acquisitions made in the science of law, in the course of these irregular and broken efforts to master that intricate and complex system, were somewhat desul- tory and crude, and it is not the least striking evidence of the wonderful resour- ces of Mr. Clay's genius, that he was enabled, notwithstanding these disadvan- tages, to assume so early in life a high rank in his profession, at a bar distin- guished for the number, ability and profound erudition of its members.
Upon obtaining his license, Mr. Clay, then in the twenty-first year of his age came to Lexington, Kentucky. He did not, however, immediately enter upon the duties of his profession, but spent several months in reviewing his legal studies, and forming an acquaintance with the people. His appearance at this period is represented to have been that of a man in feeble health. Delicate in his person, slow and languid in all his movements, his whole air and bearing was pervaded by a lassitude, which gave no promise of that untiring energy, which has since so singularly marked his extraordinary history.
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When Mr. Clay entered upon the duties of his profession, the Lexington bar was noted for talent, numbering among its members some of the first lawyers that have ever adorned the legal profession in America. He com- menced the practice under circumstances somewhat discouraging, and as ap- pears from his own statement, with very moderate expectations. His earliest efforts, however, were attended with complete success; his reputation spread ra- pidly, and, to use his own language, he " immediately rushed into a lucrative practice." This unusual spectacle, so rare in the legal profession, is to be as- cribed mainly to Mr. Clay's skill as an advocate. Gifted by nature with orato- rial genius of a high order, his very youth increased the spell of that potent fascination which his splendid elocution and passionate eloquence threw over the public mind, and led the imagination a willing captive to its power. It was in the conduct of criminal causes, especially, that he achieved his greatest triumphs. The latitude customary and allowable to an advocate in the defence of his client, the surpassing interest of the questions at issue, presented an occasion and a field which never failed to elicit a blaze of genius, before which the public stood daz- zled and astonished.
A large portion of the litigation at that day, in Kentucky, grew out of the un- settled tenure by which most of the lands in the country were held. The contests arising out of those conflicting claims, had built up a system of land law remark- able for its intricacy and complexity, and having no parallel in the whole range of the law of real property. Adapted to the exigencies of the country, and hav- ing its origin in the necessities of the times, it was still remarkable for its logical consistency and sound principle. Kentucky, at that day, could boast some of the most profound, acute and subtle lawyers in the world. And it is no slight tribute to the talents and acquirements of Mr. Clay, to say that, among those strong and deeply learned men, he stood among the foremost.
When Mr. Clay first arrived in Kentucky, the contest between the old federal and democratic parties was violent and bitter. Any one acquainted with the ar- dent, frank, open and somewhat boisterous and extravagant character of the Ken- tuckians at that period, will not require to be told that neutrality in politics, even had Mr. Clay been disposed to pursue that equivocal line of conduct, was for him utterly out of the question, and would not have been tolerated for a moment. He, accordingly united himself with the Jeffersonian or democratic party, with whose principles his own sentiments entirely harmonized. He was prominent at a very early day among those who denounced the most obnoxious measures of the Adams administration, and was especially conspicuous for the energy, elo- quence and efficiency with which he opposed the alien and sedition laws.
In 1803 he was elected to represent the county of Fayette in the most numer- ous branch of the state legislature. He was re-elected to that body at every ses- sion, until 1806. The impression made upon his associates must have been of the most favorable character, since, in the latter year, he was elected to the senate of the United States, to serve out the unexpired term of General Adair. He was elected for one session only.
During this session, Mr. Clay, as a member of the senate, had occasion to inves- tigate the extent of the power of congress to promote internal improvements, and the result of his examination was a full conviction that the subject was clearly within the competency of the general government. These views he has never changed ; and profoundly impressed with the policy of promoting such works, he at the same session gave his cordial support to several measures of that character. When it is remembered how long and earnestly Mr. Clay has labored to engraft this upon the settled policy of the government, and that it was almost the first subject upon which he was called to act when he entered the senate, it will be difficult to produce a similar example of consistency and firm persistence in the pursuit of a cherished object, and presents a refreshing contrast to the zigzag track of some other American statesmen of great eminence. It is difficult to resist the conclusion that to the man who could thus steadily persevere, against an over- whelming tide of opposition, through all changes of party, and all vicissitudes of personal fortune. in the advocacy of a principle, frequently obnoxious, there must have been something in the aspect of truth herself, independent of all extraneous considerations, irresistibly lovely and attractive.
At the close of the session, Mr. Clay returned to Kentucky and resumed the
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practice of his profession. At the ensuing election in August, he was returned as the representative from Fayette to the legislature. When the legislature assembled, he was elected speaker of the house. In this station he was distin- guished for the zeal, energy and decision with which he discharged its duties. He continued a member of the legislature until 1809, when he tendered his resig- nation, and was elected to the senate of the United States for two years, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Thruston. During his contin. uance in the legislature he had produced the deepest impression of his abilities, and won the warm regard and full confidence of his associates. How completely he had established himself in the favorable opinion of that body, may be inferred from the fact that he was elected to the office before named, by a vote of two-thirds. He retired, accompanied by expressions of ardent admiration for his talents, high esteem for his services, and sincere regret for his loss.
The principal matters which came before the senate during Mr. Clay's second term of service, related to the policy of encouraging domestic manufactures"; the law to reduce into possession, and establish the authority of the United States over the territory between the Mississippi and Perdido rivers, comprehending the present states of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida ; and the question of a re- charter of the bank of the United States. In the discussions which arose on each of these questions, Mr. Clay bore a conspicuous part, fully sustaining the high reputation for ability with which he entered the senate.
His speech in favor of giving the preference to articles of American growth and manufacture, in providing supplies for the army and navy, was remarkable, as being the first occasion in which he developed to the national legislature, those peculiar views in reference to the policy of building up a system of home industry, which he had at an earlier day sought to impress on the legislation of Kentucky. Up to this period, this subject, which has since, and mainly through the instru- mentality of Mr. Clay, become so prominent and exciting a question in American politics, had attracted little or no attention, and when the principle of protection and encouragement was at this session brought forward for the first time, and attempted to be embodied in legislative enactments, the resistance it encountered was violent, bitter, and determined. Mr. Clay's speech in favor of the proposition, was the first he delivered upon re-entering the senate, and is remarkable as having distinctly shadowed forth the outlines of that magnificent system of "protection," of which he has been styled the " father," and which has since become a cher- ished object of American policy with our soundest statesmen. To the admirers of Henry Clay it is a source of gratification that the majority of those great prin- ciples of internal polity, which his subsequent life has been devoted to build up and defend, are clearly announced and distinctly to be traced in the first acts of his public career ; thus presenting in his history as a politician, a consistency and singleness of purpose, as rare as it is honorable to his character as a man, and his foresight as a statesman.
His speech delivered at the same session, on the " line of the Rio Perdido," in which he undertook to investigate and trace the title of the United States to the territory which comprises the present states of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, is a masterpiece of legislative logic, distinguished for the clearness of its state- ments, and the cogent closeness of its reasoning.
At the session of 1810-11, the question of a re-charter of the bank of the United States was brought before the senate, and became the subject of a debate, noted in our congressional history, for its intemperate violence and splendid displays of eloquence. On this occasion Mr. Clay was found opposed to the re-charter of the bank, and maintained his views in a speech of great ingenuity and power. He afterwards, in 1816, saw reason to change his opinions, and since then has been firm in the support he has given to that institution. The explanation of this in- consistency is to be sought in the peculiar views held by American statesmen at that day, in reference to the construction of the constitution. The grand subject of difference in principle between the old federal and democratic parties, related to the interpretation of that instrument. The federalists were the advocates of a . free construction, granting to the general government the utmost latitude in the exercise of its powers. It is probable that in the heat of party controversy they carried their principles to an extreme, perhaps a dangerous length. The de- mocrats, on the other hand, were strict constructionists; opposed to deriving
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powers to congress by implication, and confining the government to the exer cise of such as were expressly and in terms granted in the constitution. In looking back now with the calm eye of the historian to those troubled times, it is probable that both of the great parties of the day pushed their principles to an impolitic length, and that greater moderation would have approximated each nearer to the truth. The question of a re-charter of the bank of the United States, was the one of all others calculated to develop the peculiar views, and array the ancient prejudices of those powerful parties in deadly opposition. The power to incorporate a bank was one which could be obtained by implication only, and the arguments adduced in its favor assailed the constitutional system of the democrats in its most sacred principles. Mr. Clay was a Jeffersonian democrat, and had been educated in all the peculiar views of that school. He had entered public life at a period when the contest between the parties was most furious and deter- mined ; and he had, with the ardour and energy of his nature, espoused most of the doctrines of the party with which he acted ; consequently, when the question . of re-chartering the bank came up, he was found among the ablest and most deter- mined opponents of that measure. His speech, delivered on the occasion, is remarkable for the force with which it arrays the objections to the bank, and may be consulted by any one desirous of obtaining a clear knowledge of the principles of his party at that day in reference to the powers vested in congress by the con- stitution. In 1816, time, and the intervening experience of the war, had. with its usual meliorating effect, modified the opinions of men on this as on other sub- jects. Mr. Clay became convinced of the necessity of a bank to regulate the financial affairs of the government and country, and with the manly frankness characteristic of his nature, yielded to that institution his friendship and support.
When, at the expiration of the term of service for which he had been elected, Mr. Clay retired from the senate, he left behind him a character for general ability and sound statesmanship, which few men of the same age have ever at- tained.
In 1811, the same year in which he retired from the senate, he was elected by the people of the Fayette district to represent them in the house of representa- tives of the United States. In 1813 he was re-elected, and continued a member of the house until he was sent to Europe as one of the commissioners to nego- tiate a treaty of peace with Great Britain. During the whole of this period, he filled the speaker's chair in the house, having received the high and unusual com- pliment of being chosen to that responsible station the first day on which he ap- peared in his seat in congress.
Mr. Clay, consequently, presided over the twelfth and thirteenth congresses, and participated largely in those measures adapted to vindicate the honor and assert the rights of the country, against the usurpations and aggressions of Great Britain. He gave a warm and hearty co-operation in all those efforts that were made to put the country in a state of defence, and contributed as much, if not more, by his sleepless energy and unrivalled eloquence, to infuse a proper spirit into the deliberations of congress, than any other man. His speeches on the subject of our difficulties with Great Britain, exhibit some of the most brilliant specimens of parliamentary eloquence extant, and their effect at the time, in arousing the country to a sense of its wrongs, and a determination to redress them. is said to have been unequalled. As strange as it may sound in the ears of the present generation, there was a large and respectable party, at that period, both in and out of congress, which was averse to war with Great Britain, and dis- posed to submit to almost any outrage rather than distract her efforts to put down the power of Napoleon, then in the midst of his extraordinary career. It was in opposition to what he considered the parricidal efforts of these men, that the transcendent genius of the Kentucky statesman displayed its most brilliant, pow- erful, and commanding attributes. He was the life and soul of the war party in congress-the master spirit around whom all the boldness and chivalry of the nation rallied in that dark hour, when the gloom of despondency hung heavy on every brow, and the generous pride of a free people drooped under the withering sense of the. unavenged insult that had been offered to the national honor. In 1814, he resigned his place in congress, to accept an appointment as commissioner and minister plenipotentiary to Ghent. At this period, the control which he had
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