Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-31
Mr. CLAY's SPEECH,

furnace Of persecution may be heated seven
times hotter, and seventy times more, he viii
come out unscathed by the fire OF malignity,
brighter TO all and dearer to his friends; while
own.sile materials.
Mr. CLAY, after the above toast had been read
addressed the company as follows:
Mr.. President, Friends and Fslo,o- Citizens
beg permission to offer my hearty thanks,
and 80 make nv respectful Acknowledgements,
for The affec,ionate reception which, has been
given me during my present VISIT 10 my o,a
Congressional district, and Tor this hospltao'e
and honorable testimony OF your esteem ana
confidence. And thank You especially ior me
frieneiy sentiments and feelings expressed IN
the toast which you have Just done me Inc non
our to drink. / always had the happiness o.
knowing that enjoyed, in high degree, the
a,,acbmen, Of that DC r,ion Of my fellow-citizens
whom formerly represented: but should new
er have been sensible of The strength and ar
dour Of their asfec ton, except Tor the extraor
dinary character Of the times. For mar Two
wears and half have Seen assaiied with
rancour, and bitterness which have lew exam
niles. / have found myself the particular o.
;ect of concerted and concentrated abuse; and
others. thrus,ing themselves between you ana
me, have dared to arralgn me Tor reaenery !"
your interests. But my former eons'"ueh's'
unaffected BY the calumnies whieh nave oeeh So
perscveringly circulated TO my prejudice, nave
stood by me wi,ha generous consaancy ana
noble magnaninnity. The measure OF 9heir IT.
gard and confidence has risen with, and even
Surpassed, that of the male evidence, great as 1t
Is ofmy personal and political foes. l thank
yoY. gentlemen, who are large portion oil my
late constituents. thank you, and every one
of them, with all my heart, for the manly sup
port which have uniformly received. 1t mas
cheered and consoled me, amidst all my severe
trials; ana may not add that II is honouraoie
TO the generous hearts and enlightened hsaas
an ga ffisnd aud a faithful servant!
The numerous manifestations Of your conf
dence and attachment will be among the latest
and most treasured recollections OF my life
They impose on me obligations which can ncs
or be weakened or cancelled One nj these Or
LEGATIONS is, ,hasI should embrace everv fair
opportanitv 10 vin6icatr that character which
YOU have so generously sustained, ard 10 evince
to you and TO the work., that you have not yield
ed TO the impulses Of blind and enthusiastic
scn,irneat; feel that am, on all mt occasions,
especially bound TO vindicate myself to my Tor
mer constituents. 1t was as their representa-
tive; it was in The ful6.ment of high trust
which Mey certified TO me, that have been ac-
of treating their wishes with contempt, and
their interests with treachery. Nor is this OBJ
LEGATION, in nv conception of its import, at al
weakened by the dissolution Of the relations
which heretofore existed between US. would
instantly resign the place hold in the councils
Of the nation, and directly appeal 10 the suffras-
es Of my late constituents, rs candidate Tor
re.rlectisn, if I did not know that my foes are
of that class whom one rising from the dead
cannot convince, whom nothing can silence,
aid who wage war Of DETERMINATION. On the
issue of such an appeal, they would redouble
their abuse Of me and of you; for their hatred
is common 10 us both.
They have compelled me often to be the
theme of my addresses to the people, that
should have willingly abstained on this festive
occasion, from any allusion 10 this subject, but
for a new and imposing form which the calun,-
nv against me has recently assumed. am a
gain put on my defence, not If any new charge
nor by any new adversary; but OF the old charg-
es, clad in new dress, and exhibited oy an o.
pen and undisguised enemy. The fictitious
names have been stricken from the foot of the
indictment, and that Of known and subsian-
tial prosec utor has been voluntarily offered
Updaunsed by the formidable name OF that pro
secutor, / will avail myself, with your induI.
gence, of this fit opportunity OF free and unre-
served intercourse with you, as large num-
Der Of my late constituents, 10 make some OBJ
servations on the past and present STATE OF the
question. When evidence shall be produced;
as have now a clear right to demand, in sup
port of the accusation, it will be the proper
time for me to take such notice OF it as its ma
ture may require.
In February, 1875, it was my duty, as the
Representative Of this DISTRICT, to vote for some
Que Of che three candidates for the Presidency,
who we're returned to the House Of Repressn-
ta,ives. II has been established and can be FUR.
,her proved, that, before left this State the
preceding fan, communicated to several gen.
tlemeo Of the highest respectabiliy, my fixed
determination not to vote for Gen. Jackson The
friends cf Mr.. Crawford asserted to the last.
that the conditioned his health was such as to
enable him to administer the duties OF the OF.
6ce. ! thought otherwise, after reached
Washington City, snd visited him TO satisfy
myself and thought that Phfsicai impeachment