Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-13
DOMESTIC.
DINNER TO MR.. CLAY.

DINNER TO MR.. CLAY.
Upon the brief notice given in tho papers of
this City on Saturday morning number Of citi-
zens, residents OF Washington, Members of Con-
gresS ana oher strangers, assembled at Barnard's
Hotel (the Mansion House, 10 take friendly
leave OF Henry Clay, late Secretary OF State.
previous to his departure ON the City for his re-
sidcnce in Kentucky.
The Company assembled ON this occasion ex-
ceeded all expectation. At little after six, up.
wards oil hundred gentlemen sat do wn TO very
abundant and handsome Entertainment provided
by Mr.. Barnard; at which Gen. Walter Jones act.
cd as President, and George Calvert, Esq. Col
X Z. Weightman, and Col. J. /. Siull, as Vice
Presidents
he dinner being over, enlivened by excellent
wine, and cheered by patriotic music the follow
ing toasfs ithe only prepared onesl were given
from the Chair.
/. The late .adainistrniion.-Happ the peo-
pie who can afford, out of the abundance OF moral
and intellectual resources, TO postpone the minis
Try OF servants SO pure and magnanimons, so de.
voted and capable, tor the sake of more cherished
opinions on government or policy; and fortunate
as happy, il they have found others better endow
ed to prosper and adorn the Republic.
2. The INetc -9dnHniStydiiOn.-Tot the consti-
tutional impartial, and wise selection of national
means, Tor national ends, the candor and patriotism
OF all parties must accord applause and support
unqualified by any OF the personal or political pre-
objections or collisions agitated in the recent can
,vass for the choice of rulers
j. -laIor'tieS and AiiHoritieS.-As they make
up the aggregate of the body polite so mutual in.
jury or inVetera,e feud would be as irrational a.
mong them, as among the different members of
lie same natural body the ailments proper to BOTH
are, knowledge, virtue and public spirit, which
can no more be monopo!iZed by the power or the
tyranny OF the many, than by the violence of the
few.
A. State RightS--and one of the most precious
and indefeasible OF those rights Union; having
nei'ner its distinctive properties aalgamated and
confused by the too intense and prevailing action
OF Federal power, nor lis principles OF cohesion
weakened by the impaue nt ebullitions OF its con-
stituent parts.
.. Heath, Postefity, and happiness to our high
ly valued aud esteemed guest and fellow citizen,
iienry Clay. Whatever the future destination of
his Lille, he has done enough for honor, and need
desire no higher reward than the deep-seated
affection and respect OF his friends and his coup.
try.
This Toast having been received with great
applause and repeated cheers. Alter the accia-
nations subsidized
Mr. Clay addressed tue Company as follows:
In rising, Mr.. President, 10 offer nv resnect-
iul acknow Judgments, for the honors of which +
ain here the object, | must ask the indulgence OF
yourself, and the other gentlemen now assembled
ior an unaffected embarrassment, which is more
sensibly felt, than il can be distinctly expressed
This city has been theitheare OF the greater nor
ton OF my public life. You. and other whom /
now see, have been spectators Of my public course
and conduct. You and they are, i'll may borrow
4 technical EXPIRE sion from an honorable nrof.s
sion. Of which you and are bnti, members iurors
oil the Vicinage. To d judgment rendered by those
VINO have thus long known NE, and by others
though not OF The panel, who have possessed equal
opportunities oil forming correct opinions, I most
cheeriulIy submit IL the weight OF human te sti.
mony SHOULD be estimated by the intelligence a. nd
iespectabiy OF the witness, and the extent OF his
khowiegde o! the matter on which he testifies the
consideration is due to that which has been
ms DAY spontaneously given. shall ever cher
ish 1t with the most grateful recoliection and ook
bark upon ii with proud satisfaction.
should be glad to feel that 1 could, with pro-
Piety, ABSTAIN from any aiiusiUn, this time and
AZ 'hIS place, TO public affairs. But, considering
the occasion winch has brought us together, the
events which have preceded il, and the influence
which they may exert upon the destinies of Our
country, my silence might be nisinterpreted. and
tiink 1t, therefore, proper that should embrace
TINS hist pubic opportunity which 1 have had of
saying Few words, since the termination OF the
late memorable and embittered contest IN il FAR
from my wish to continue or revive the aei,s,ions
win winch That contest was attended. Ii is ended
for good or for evil. The nation wants repose. A
majority oil the people has decided and from their
decision there can and ought TO be no apoeal Rovy
ing, as do. with profound respect, TO them. am,
10 thus exercise OF their sovereign autboritv 4
may, nevertheless, be allowed 10 retain and 10 ex
press my own unchanged sentiments, @, en- if ttev
,hould not be in perfect coincidence with ,bei,S
!, SV"cS w HSh PIdUncdUon 10 me to believe !
nat snare these sentiments ia common ~ tI, tor
han half million Of ireemen, possessing degree
u virtue, OF intelligence, OF religion and of genm
ne patriotism, which, without disparagement to |
'Ihers' is unsurpassed. in the same number oCl
'ther age ' " any
deprecated he election Of the esentPresiden;
:, s,ie oIn'ed States because believed he had
iel'neT the temper, the experience. nor the At
d REQUISITE to discharge tie complicated
'ated It still more, because his slevs,an hoIas
%, would be the result exclusively of sdmira,ion
nd gratitude for military service yyi,,o,', r's,
0 Indispensable civil qualifications. can neiibsr
etract, nor alter, nor modify, any opinion vbipJ,
n these subjects, have At any Iiine heTetof,,n
ressed. eA-
thought beheld in bis election an awful faro.
oding OF i'ie fate which at some future a prav q, :
f0o' mat, 1t ever arrive, IL may be some lar d.
AM "'y was TO beiali tbis infant Republic. An