Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-05-21
MR.. CLAY, AT BALTIMORE.

Mr.. Clay, while at Baltimore. declined a public
dinner but consented to partake Of private cola
zion with his friends. Aftcr the eleyh removed,
the following toasts were eivcn:-
I Tho President OF tho United States.
"a great Statesman has s,id, What is a public
worth who will not suffer for his country p
We have public man sacrifice much for his
country, and rise resplendently triumphant over the
calunnies Of his enemies.
Mr.. Clay then rose (cvicp,ly laboring under de.
bility from ndispositon, probably increased by tho
ceremonies OF tho day) and said (:
Although have been required by tho advice Of
my physicians to dbsa,n from all social entcrta n
monts with their attendant excitement, I cannot
leave Baltimore without saying few words, by way
of public acknowledgment for tho cordial congr atula
lions with which have been received, during my
present visit. l am not so vain, indeed, as to i'm
sgne that any personal considerations have prompt
cd tho enthusiasts demons strations by which my
approach to this city and my short soiourn nave
bcen so highly distinguished. Their honored object
has, IL is true, some claims upon the justice, II not
tho sympathy, OF a generous, intelligent ard high
minded people. Singled out for prescription and
destruction he has sustained all The fury OF the most
foSocious attacks. Calumnious charges, directed
against tho honor Of his public character, dearcr
than life ITSELF sanctioned and repub!ished by "ne
who should have scorned 10 lend himself to such
vile purpose, have been echoed by thousand pro-
Aigate or deuied tongues and presses. Supported
6y tho consciousness OF having faithfully dischai god
his duiy, and dc Tended by tho virtue ahd ihielli.
genoa Of an enightened people he has stood. firm
and erect. amidst all tho bcowings of the political
storm. What IL public man, what - any man
worth, who is not prepared to s,ci lice himself, II
necessary, for tho good OF his country !
But, continued Mr.. Clay, the demonstration,
which | have here witnessed, have higher, and
nob,er source than homage to an individual. they
originate from, that with which am an humble
associatc-the cause Of tho Countrywide cause OF
the Constution--the cause Of free institutions
They would otherwise be unworthy OF ircemcn and
less gratifying to me. am not, hope, so uncharta-
bio as 10 accuse all the opponents OF that cause with
designs, unfrendy 70 human liberty. know that
they make, many of them, sincerely, other proes-
sions. They talk indeed OF Repubhcan'sm, ana
some of thcm mpudentiy claim to bo tho exclusive
Repubhcap party. Yes! find men who, but yes
tordsy were the foremost in other ranks, upon whose
revolving ears the grating Sound OF Rcpubiicanism
over fell, and upon whose lips the exotic word sun
awkwardly hangs, now excliming or acqnicscins IN
the cry that they the Republican party! had
Thought that il any more than all other princi-
pies characterized the true Republican party 1t was
their ardent devotion TO liberty to its safety, to all
its guarantees. had supposed that the doctrines oil
rhst school taught to guard against the dangers oi
s,aadng armies, to profit by the lessons which all
history incucacs, and never to forget that liberty
and the pred nin1ncs Of the military principle were
utterly Incompatible. Tho Republican party In
this modern ncw-iangcd anl heterogeneous parry,
CrOmwou and IaeSAr haVo recently Iounu dpOonsts.
The judgment of centuries is reversed. Long es-
tablished maxims ovcrturncd-thc Ethiopian Is
washed white ard tic only genuine lovers oil iborty
were the Philips, the CBsars, tho Cromwels. the
.Mariusas and the Scylas OF former ages. IL is limo
for slumbering patriot ism To awake, when such doc
trines as those are put ;oh from the capitol and from
popular assemblies. il is timc that the real Repub-
ican party q speak not Of former divisions spr.ng-
ing from causes no longer existing, and which are
sought TO be kept up, by men in particular
nla nlv mis- nR.1 v.
whatevcr hag its members may have heretofore acted
that party, which loves freedom for freedoms
sake, Justly estimate the impending pars, and to
proceed, with mn energy and an union, called Tor by
The existing crisis in tho republic.
Regardless Of all mputations, and proud Of the
opportunity Of free and unresralnod intercourse with
al my felay-citizcns. IL 1t were physically possible,
and compatible with my official duties | would VISIT
cyesy stato 20 to every town and hamlet, address
every man. in the union, and them, by their
iovo OF country, by their !oYe Of liberty for the sake
ofthenselvos and their posterity, in the nann oil
their vencrated ancestors, in the name o the human
family deeply interested in the iulimcnt oil tho trust
committed their hands, by all the past glory which
ave have wOn by all that awaits nation If we
are true and faithful, in gratitude 10 iilM who has
hitherto signalIy blessed US, TO use--splcmnly
pause, and contemplate the prGcipice which yawns
before US If indeed we have incurred the divine
dspeasurc and il be necessary 10 chastisc this peo
pie with the rod Of HIS vengencc, would hnmbiy
PROSTATE myself before Him and inn lore His mercy,
visit our favored land with War, with Pestilcnce,
with Famine, with any scourge other than military
rule, or a blind and Needless enthusiasm for mere
military rcnown.
Gentlemen, wish had strength to cxpatiatc on
this Interesting subject, but admonishcd by The
state o,my health to desist, pray your acceptance
Of my thanks for tho sentiment with which you have
honored me, and your permission to offer one which
j hope will be approved by you:
Genuine Republicans Of ecery faith, tcho, true
fo the cause of Liberty, could guard against all
pernicious eranp!es.