While Mr.
Clay's speeches remain unread, his memory is lastingly identified with issues that are still vital and powerful.

He advanced the doctrine of protection to the stately dignity of the American system.

Discarding theories and overthrowing the dogma of strict construction, he committed the General Government irrevocably to internal improvements.

Condemning the worthless system of paper money imposed upon the people by irresponsible State banks, he stood firmly for a national currency, and he foreshadowed if he did not reach the paper money which is based to-day on the credit and the strength of the government.
Mr.Clay possessed extraordinary sagacity in public affairs, seeing and foreseeing where others were blinded by ignorance or prejudice.
He was a statesman by intuition, finding a remedy before others could discover the disease.

His contemporaries appreciated his rare endowments.