Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume IV.djvu/702

690 CLINTON ganization had been permanently broken up, and as if party spirit had been extinguished for ever. Notwithstanding all these pleasing au- guries, the period of his administration was filled up, like former ones, with violent and embittered political controversies. He tri- umphed in 1819, being reflected, though by a very small majority, over Daniel D. Tompkins, who, while yet vice president, became the op- posing candidate, and brought into the canvass a popularity never before overbalanced. His adversaries availed themselves of just com- plaints against the constitution to move the call of a convention for its amendment, and the measure was eminently popular. Clinton hesitated so long as to become identified with the opposition to it. The convention made reforms which diminished the power of the executive and judiciary, and conceded an en- largement of the right of suffrage, with other popular rights, while it adopted his canal pol- icy. Clinton wisely declined to be a candi- date under such circumstances for a reelection as governor, and Joseph C. Yates was called to the office with a unanimity equal to that which had attended Clinton's elevation to the same place. Faction, however, disorganized the tri- umphant party in 1824. At the same time the legislature in its interest abused its triumph over Clinton by removing him without notice and without cause from the now obscure office of canal commissioner, in which he was serv- ing, as he had served from the first, only as an adviser and without any compensation. In- dignation awakened by this injustice, and com- bined with popular discontents resulting from other causes, bore him at the end of the same year bark into the office of governor by a very decided vote ; but the new combination which had secured this result was committed to the support of John Quincy Adams in the federal government, while Clinton's sympathies or his views of duty or of interest determined his in- clination toward, first, William H. Crawford, and then Andrew Jackson, as candidates for the presidency. He was thus once more in his old position, sustained by a party from whom he withheld his confidence and sympa- thy, and opposed by the one to which he looked for ultimate support. He was barely reflected in 1826, while the legislature was opposed to him. His administration of the state govern- ment, however, which continued throughout a period of 12 years, with the exception of an intervening period of two years, was one of unequalled dignity and energy. He had the good fortune to mature the system of finance which enabled the state, unconscious of ex- pense or care, to begin and carry out his policy of internal improvement, and to break with his own hand the ground in the beginning of the enterprise, on July 4, 1817; and overcoming constant, unremitting, and factious resistance, he had the felicity of being borne, in October, 1825, in a barge on the artificial river which he seemed to all to have constructed, connecting Lake Erie with the bay of New York, while bells were rung and cannons saluted him at i every stage of that imposing progress. No | sooner had that great work been undertaken in 1817, than the population of the state began to swell with augmentation from other states and from abroad ; prosperity became universal ; old -towns and cities expanded, new ones rose and multiplied ; agriculture, manufactures, I and commerce were quickened in their move- ments, and wealth flowed in upon the state from all directions. He inaugurated the con- struction of branches of the Erie canal, by which it was ultimately connected with the internal lakes, with Lake Ontario, and with the Susquehanna, the Allegheny, and the St. Lawrence rivers ; and by his counsel and ad- vice, now sought in all directions, he hastened the opening of those canals in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, which, in connection with those of New York and with natural channels, now constitute a system adequate to the internal commerce of an empire. De Witt Clinton, witnessing the enjoyment of the continually enlarging reali- zation by the public of the benefits of his labors, died at Albany, the seat of his author- ity and the chief theatre of his active life. It scarcely needs to be added that party spirit was hushed into profound silence; that a grateful people mourned his death with all the pomp of national sorrow ; and that pos- terity cherishes his memory with the hom- age deserved by a benefactor of mankind. While yet young Mr. Clinton married Maria Franklin, who brought him a liberal fortune, and who died in 1818. In the succeeding year he was married to Catharine Jones, who survived him. He had a commanding stature, highly intellectual features, and a graceful form, set off with severe and dignified man- ners. He combined in a rare degree vigor, versatility, and comprehensiveness of mind, with untiring perseverance in the exercise of a lofty and unconcealed ambition. He pub- lished "Discourse before the New York His- torical Society" (1812), "Memoir on the Anti- quities of Western New York" (1818), "Let- ters on the Natural History and Internal Resources of New York" (1822), "Speeches to the Legislature " (1823), and several literary and historical addresses. See Hosack, " Me- moir of De Witt Clinton" (1829); Renwick, "Life of De Witt Clinton" (1840); Camp- bell, "Life and Writings of De Witt Clinton" (1849) ; and " National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans," vol. ii. CLINTON, George, an American soldier and statesman, youngest son of Charles Clinton, born in Ulster co., N. Y., July 26, 1739, died at Washington, April 20, 1812. He received a careful education, directed chiefly by his father and by a Scottish clergyman who was a graduate of the university of Aberdeen, and he early signalized his enterprising character by sailing in a privateer in the French war.