Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-03-12
From, uie National Jntefiigencev Of 1ucsda,,
DINNER TO MIR. CLAY

on Saturday morning, number ofcitizsls, residents
o. ., Washington Members OF Congress, and<other
lIiousel to take friendly leave of HEsRY ClAr late
OF State, previous to his departure from the
City Tor bis residence in Kentucky.
The company assembled on this occasion, excosjed
all expectation. At little after six UPWARDS IF n
hundred gentlemen sat down to a very abundant and
handsome entertainment provided by Mr., Barnand nj
Gmen zen; WALrEn JoNEs acted as President, and
@EonGE CALVERT, Esq. Col. r. C.. WEiGHrmAS
ana Coi. J. l. STuLI., rs Vice Presidents.
Ihe Dinner being over, eulivened by excellent
WINE, and cheereo by patriotic music, tho following
Chair. So '' '''o
| l. The late Observation-Disclosures the people who
can afford, out ofhe abundance of moral and intel
to postpone the ministry of servants
so pure ana inagnanimous, devoted and capable,
LOT tue sake OF more cherished opinions on poyern-
ment or policy; and fortunate happy if they have
Republic. - $500
2. The .New 4dDinistration.-To the constitution
u impartial, and wise selection ofnationalmcaps for
national ends the candor and patriotism Of all parties
must accord applause and support, unqualified by anv
OF the personal or political predictions or collisions
ngltated III the recent for the choice of rulers
,. .haiorities and .Iinoritics.--As they make I'm
the aggr egate of The body polite. SO mutual injury or
lnveterate ieud would be as irrational among them IN
among the different members of the same natural
nody; tue ailments proper TO both, are, knowledge
virtue and public spirit which no more be monop
by the violence of the few =. 81.
=. State Rights-and one OF the most precious and
ndeteasble of those rights Union; having neither
It's distinctive properties analgamated and confused
by the too intense and pervading action of federal
power, nor Its principles ofcoheson weakened by the
impatient ebutions of its constituent parts
>. Health, prosperity and happiness to our highly
Waited and esteemed guest and fellow citizen HrN-
ny CLAY. Whatever the future destination of his
life he has done enough for honor and need desire no
higher reward than the deepseated affection and re-
spcct of his friends and his country.
80
d repeated cheers-afler the accamations srbsided
Mr.. Clay addressed the company as follows
In rising Mr. President, to offer my respectful ac
acknowledgements for the honors of which am here
the object must ask indulgence of yourself and the
other gentlemen now assembled, for an unaffected ON,
barrassment which is more sensibly felt than 4 60,
be distinctly expressed. This city has been the then
ire OF the greater portion Of my public life. You and
others whom now see, have been spectators of nv
public course and conduct You and they are. if +
may borrow technical expression from an honornbI,
profession, of which you and are both members ~,
FEfs OF tnc vi'inage. To judgment rendered By.
though not of the panel, who have possessed eon,I
opportunities otformiEs correct opinions Inost cheer
iuly submit. 1.-THE weight of human Testimony should
De estimated by the intelligence and respectabl;tv 20
the witness, and the extent of his knowledgo Of ~,
matter on which he testifes, the highest
Is due TO that which has been this day sponsneonsj
given. shall ever cherish il with the most rra,"G,
recollection ana look back upon il with prond
ton.
should be glad to feel that could, with proprictv.
ABSTAIN from any aluson, at tins time and at this
place. to public affairs. But considering the occoso
winch has brought us together, the events which have
preceded 1t, and the influence which they may eroy+
upon the destnies of country my silence n,gbt IL
hsnterpreted, and think it, therefore, proper thns
shond embrace this first public opportunity which
nave had ofsaying few words since tho 10 rn;na,;,
OF the late memorable and embittered contest. If;
Tar from my wish TO continue revive the apitafion
sl'h whch tPat contest was attended. 1t is ended
Tor rood Tor evil. Tho Nation
majority OF the people has decided and from thai.
accession there can and ought to be no appeal Row
ing rs DO with profound respect, to them and 10
TINS exercise of their sovereign authority m,r ~
vertheless, be allowed to retain and TO oxnross 49,.
own unchanged sentiments, even if they should not
DC IN perfect coincidence with theirs II il so,rcc
o. high gralIhcation to me to believe that share
these sentiments IN common with more than half n
million of frcemen, possessing a depree ne ,ir
tue, OF intelligence, Of religion and Of genuine M
triotlsn which without disparogcmcnt to Others, is
unsurpassed, IN the same number of men in this -
any othcr country, IN this or my other age.
deprecated the election the present Prcsidcn, nc
we - D. because beievedhe hodneither tho temper
t9o experience nor the ottainments requisite TO dis
charge the complicated and arduous dnties az Co.;
magistrate deprecated it still more because he IL
FatIon believed, would be the result exclusively OF
admiration and gratitude for military service without
regard to indispensable civil qualifications can moi;
thor rctract, alter nor modify anv oninon ,vb;c
pressed. 'N-
:. "cuBhL Dcheld IN ms election an awful forebo-
ding OF The fate which at some future n prnv 10 God
tbae II IT over arrive it may be some far distant
DAY was to bcfal this infant Republic. All past his.
tory had impressed on my mind this SOLEMN approheu-
sion' nor IS 1t etaced or weakened by contcmpora e.
Gus events passing upon our own favored continent,
II IS remarkable, that at this epoch at the head of
eightof the inonJepondent governments cstnblisbcJ
IN both Americas, military officers have been placrd
or have placed themselves. General Lavallc bss H.,
military force, subverted the Republic of In pls,s
General Santa Cruz Is the Chief Magistrate of noI
lyia Col. Pinto of Chill; Gen. La Mar of perm md
Gen bohyor Of Colombia Central America. ront
inflicted by contendug military factions Is under Tho
alternate sway of their chiefs. In the Governnent
OF our nearest neighbor, election, conducted ac-
o.H,ng 10 All inc requirements of their Constitution
had terminated with majority of tho States In fvoy
Of Pcdraza, the civil candidate. An insurrection
was raised In behalf of his military rival, the cry.