The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-08-09
6R. CLAY's SPEECH.
a! the dinner at .Noble's Inn, near LeriRg
ton, Ken. Juy I2.

ton, (Ken.) July IL.
Our DISTINGUISHED GUfsr, HENRY Clay.
The furnace of persecution may be heated
seven times hotter and seventy times more,
he will come out unscathed by the fire of ma
lignity brighter to all and dearer To his friends;
while his enemies shall sink with the dross of
their vile materials.
Mr.. CLAY, after the above toasts had
been read, addressed the company as fol
lows:
Mr.. President, friends and Fello,c Ciiseas.-
| beg permission to offer my hearty
thanks, and to make my respectful &C
acknowledgements, for the affectionate re-
ception which has been given me during
my present visit to my old congressional
district and for this hospitable and honor
able testimony of your esteem and conf
dence. And thank you especially for the
friendly sentiments and feeling expressed
in the toast which you have just done me
the honor to drink. always had the hap
piness OF knowing that enjoyed, IN high
degree, the attachment of that portion Of
my fellow citizens whom formerly repre-
scented; but should never have been SEN
sible OF the strength and ardor of their al
fection, except for the extra ordinary char
actcr Of the times For near two years
nd half have been assailed with a ran
cour and bitterness which have few exam
pies. | have found myself the particular
object of concerned and concentrated a
buse land others. thrustng themselves be
tween YOU and me, have dared TO arraign
lhe for treachcry to your interests. Bul
my former constituents, unaffected by the
calumnies which have been so persevering
ly circulated to my prejudice, have stood
by me with generous constancy and no
Bile magnanimity. The measure of thell
regard and confidence has risen with, anc
even surpassed, that Of the moevolence
great as it is, Of my personal and politica
foes. thank you gentlemen, who are
large portion Of my late constituents.
thank YOU, and every one of them, with al
my heart, for the manly support which
have uniformly received. 1t has cheerec
and consoled me, amidst all my severe tri
ais and NAV not add that it is honorable
to the generous hearts and enligh ene'
heads who have resolved to protect ;h'
character Of an old friend and faithful ser
want ?
The numerous manifestations of you
confidence and attachment will be among
the lotest and most treasured recollection
cfmy life They impose OH me obligation
which annever be weakened or cancelled
One OF these obligations is, that shoui
embrace every fair opportunity to vlndI
cate that character which you have so gen
erously sustained, ana 10 evince tn you an
10 the wor Id, that you have not yielded I
the lmpnlsss of blind aud enthussstl
sentiment. feel that | am, on all fit oc
caslons, especially bound to vndlcate my
self 10 my former constituents. II was q
three representatives 1t was IN the iulh
ment of high trust, which they conhde
to me, that | have been accused Of v!ola1
inr the most sacred OF duties. of treatn
their wishes with contempt, and their IT
terests with treachery. Nor is this obhga
ton, in my conception of its import. at a
weakened by the dissolution of the rel'
tions which heretofore existed between u
would instantly resign the place hold
the councils Of the nation, and directly al
peal to the suffrages Of my hate constltr
ents. as a candidate for reelection. If
did not know that my foes are of that cla'
whom one rising from the dead cannot col
vince, whom nothing can silence. and WI
wage war of extermina,on. On the !
sue Of such an appeal, they would redoub
Nnelr dOuse Oh me, anu VI you iV N"~i' ="
tred is common TO us both.
They have compelled me so often to
The theme Of my addresses to the peop
that shoufS have willingly abstslned
This festive occasion, from any allusion
this subject, but for new and imposii
form which the calumny against me Il
recently assumed, am again put on my d
fence, not Of any new charge nor by a
new adversary; but of the old cherg'
clad in new dress, and exhibited by
open and undisguised enemy. The fic
tious names have been stricken from I
foot Of the indictment, and that OF a kno'
and substantial prosecutor has been volt
tarily offered. Undannted by the form
able name Of that prosecutor, | viii ay
myself with your indulgence, vi his it
portuni,y Of free snd unreserved int
course with you, as large number of
ya,o constituents, To make some obser
tions on the past and present state OF
question. When evidence shall be p
duced. as have now clear night to
mand. in support Of the aecusstions' y
no tho proper time for me to take such
tice os il, ss its nature may require.
In February. Is25, il was my du'y,
The representative oe this district. TO v
for .on,e one of the three candidates
-. p,o.,deoov. who were returned 10