Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-08-03
saLEcTroMs.
MIR. CLAY's SPEECH
ut the Dinner at .Nobie's Inn. near Lexington

!
I Our distinguished friend Henry Clay.-
The furnace OF persecution may be heated seven
times hotter, and seventy times more, he will
come out unscathed by the lire OF malisni,y,
brighter TO all and dsarer his friends; while his
enemies shall sink with the dross of their own
vile materials
! Mr.. Clay, after the above toast had been read
addressed the company az follows:
M PFeSident, Friends and Feii0ir- Citi-cHs
i beg permission to offer my hearty thanks, and
10 make my respectful sckaow Judgements, for the
aneciionate reception which has been given me
during my present visit TO my old Congressional
district. anu for this hospiisbe and honorable te--
timnny OF your esteem and confidence And
'hank you especially for the friendly sentiments
ma Feelings expressed In the toast which you have
just cone me the honour 10 drink | slyyays bad
the happiness OF knowing that / enjoyed in high
degree, the attachment of that portion of my fell
low citizens whom formerly REPRESENTED; but
should never have beea sensible OF the strength and
ercor OF the'r affection, except FOR the extraord-
nary character OF the times. For near two years
end half have been assailed with rancour
aud bitterness which have few examples. | have
found myse! the particular ot.c OF concerted and
concentrated abuse; and others, tlrusting them
selves between you and me, have dared to srraign
me Tor ireachery 10 your interests. BI, my for
mer constituents unaffected by the calumnes which
have been so perseysringly circulated TO my pre-
JUDGE, have stood by me with generous con-
]
their regard and confidence has risen with and e.
ven surpassed, that of the maevoleuce great a. it
is,ot my personal and political foes. thank YOU,
gentlemen, who are large portion of my late
constituents. thank you, and every one of them
with all my heart, for the manly support which
have uniformly receiy ed. Ii has cheered and con
solsd me, amidst all my severe trials; and may
not add that is homo Irable the generous hearts
and enlightened heads who have resolved to pro-
tect the character OF olG friend aud a fei,hful
servant?
The numerous manifestations of your confidence
and attachment Will be among the latest and most
treasured recollections OF my life. They impose
me obligations which can never be weakened or
cancelled One of these obligations is. that
should, embrace every fair opportunity TO vindi-
cate that character which you have 20 generously
sustained, and TO eyince 10 you and to the world,
that you have not yielded to the impulses o {
blind and enthusiastic sentiment. leei that am
on all fit occasions, especially bound to yndicsts
myself To my former constituents. II was rs their
representative; it was in the fulhment of high
trust which theg coniiled TO me, that bsvs been
accused OF violating The most sacred OF dutie', OF
treating their wishes with contempt, and their in
terests with tIeachsry. Nor is this obligation, in
my conception OF is import, at all weakened by
the dissolution OF ihe r-lstions which heretofoie
excited between rs ] would Instantly resign the
pscs hold in the councils OF the nation, and d.
rec;ly appeal the suIrsgss OF ny late consiitl-
ems as d Canutudle LOT Ie-eleCtlOus III 4 ca nut
know that my foes are OF that class whom one ris-
ing from the dead cannot convince, whom no.
thing silence, and who wage war of exier-
miBstion. On the issue OF such an appeal they
would redoub.e their abuse OF and Of you; tor
their hatrs is common 10 both
They have compelled often 10 be the theme
Of my addresses to the people, that should have
willingly abs;sined this festive occasion, from
any aliu.ion to this subject, bIl for new and i'm
posing form which The ea'umny against me has re-
Gently assumed. am agaia put upon my defence,
not OF any new charge nor BY any adversary;
but Of The old charges clad in a dress, ard
hibited by open and uhdisguised enemy. The
fictitious names have been siricken from the foot
of the indie meat and that Of a known ard sub
stantial prosecutor has been voluntarily offered
Undaunied by the formidable name of that prose.
cutor, J will avail myself With your indulgence
of this fit opportunity oil free aud unTeseryed inter
course with yCui az a large number o. my aie con-
sti'uents, 10 make some observations on the past
and present stale OF the questicn. When evidence
shall be produced, ] have now clear, right 10
demand, in support of the accus7tion, II Will be
the proper time for TO take sucn notice of II AZ
its nature may require.
In February, 1925, it was my duty ~ the r O..
preventative OF this District, TO vote for some one
of The three canlidates for the Presidency, who
ere returned TO the Hou-e Of Repre-en aiives
II has been established, and can be further prove
hat, tefore left this Stale The preceding fall,
communicated 10 several gentlemen OF the highest
respectsbiiy, M fixed determination not 20 vote
/ foI General Jackson. The friends of MIR Crsy-
ford asserted the last, that the condition of his
health was such 10 enable him 10 administer the
duties OF The Office. thought otherwise. sf sr
feached Washington City. and yisi ed him 10 -s,ie.
/ " myself; ami thought that physical imprdimeni.
/ il there were no other objections ought 10 prevent
I bis election. Although The Delegation from, four
States voted for BIN, and his pretension. were z.a
usiy pressed 10 The very last moment, il has been
d Of lsie asserted and believe b. some OF the very
/ persons who then warmly esp used = caise, that
/ his incompe 'enry was - psIpabis rs clearly 10
limit the choice 10 two Of the three reiufneI can
didstes. In my view Of NY duty, there as M al-
Tentative but That which crn5facei. That had
some objections 10 Mr.. ADAM, am ready freely
10 admit; bn these did not weigh % laa her IN com.
/ parson with The greater and insuJmouBfsble ob.
jsctions, long and d-6er teiy entertained ~ inst
/ his competitor. take TINS occasion. with great
! satisfactIon, 20 sa'e, tht my objections 10 Mr.
I Adams arose chiefly from apprchensions ,yhirs
! have not been realized. have found him ~ the
bead Of the Government, able, enlightened p.t,.nt
/ Of investigation, and ever ready TO receive with
respect and when approved by his judgment. TO
act upon the coun.sls OF his cliicisl sdvisTs. !
add, with unniyed pleasure, hat, from tie COM
Wenceruebt OF The Government, wi b the evreu-
ton Of Mr. Jsf5us0n's Administration, no Chief
Magistrate has found the members Of his Cabinet
20 united on al pubic measures, end % cordial
and friendly IN ali their intercourse, private and
/ official, those Of lhe present President.
Had voted flr General Jackson. in opposition
90 the well known opinions which enfertsine,l OF
him, one-tenih par, o. The iogenuity and zeal wh c
have been employed TO excite pfciudices assinst
me would have held re W 10 universal contempt.
aud ~bat would have been worse, should have
I fcf really deserved DO