Clay, Henry

Cultural  

1. A Whig political leader of the early nineteenth century known for his efforts to keep the United States one nation despite sharp controversy among Americans over slavery. Clay represented Kentucky, first in the House of Representatives and then in the Senate. He was known as the “Great Pacificator” because of his prominent role in producing the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850.

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Clay ran unsuccessfully for president three times. He once said in a speech, “I would rather be right than be president.”

Example Sentences

Outside is one of the post's main tourist attractions: Clay Henry, a beer- drinking goat whose pen abuts the shaded porch.

From Time Magazine Archive

Clay, Henry, speech on tariff of 1824 criticised by Mr. Webster, 78; author of American system of tariff, 78; resolution of, relating to slavery in District of Columbia, 445; resolutions in respect to slavery, 600.

From The Great Speeches and Orations of Daniel Webster With an Essay on Daniel Webster as a Master of English Style by Webster, Daniel

Clay, Henry, 18, 22, 34, 116-120, 138, 153-155, 159; colonization proposal, 154-155; tribute to in defeat, 120.

From Lincoln, the Politician by Levy, T. Aaron

Clay, Henry: Lincoln's regard for, vi; his eulogy of, xv.

From The Poets' Lincoln Tributes in Verse to the Martyred President by Oldroyd, Osborn H. (Osborn Hamiline)

Clay, Henry, portrait; in Congress; and the Missouri Compromise;   defeated for the Presidency; and the Compromise of 1850.

From A Short History of the United States by Channing, Edward