Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-02-18

ally TESTIFY toyo0 ue ptoIounu regard which hs,
entertain for you as citizen, and the .entmsoS
Of yeneration and gratitude which they cher%
towards you for your eminent services as state,
man, i, is with very sincere pleasure, though M.
without d.fidence in my ability to do iustic. ~
their and nv own feelings, that undertak. =.
assure you of our heartfelt desires for your nd
yidual happinc SOUR undiminished con6den..
in your wisdom and patriatIsm--and to pressr,
to You, Sir. our united congratulations On VIM.
re.introduc ton into that august branch Of n.
National Legislature. Of which You are again =
member. Your re-eIlrance Into the Legislative.
counseIs Of the nation, at this particular uneturs
we cannot but consider as circumstance snou'
lary proptious TO tie best interests Of our couS.
try.-a circumstance which, as American mo
chanics and working men, whose rights you have
always advocated, and whose skill and labor ara
sustained and rewarded, BY that American Sy.
ten Of which you have ever shewn yourself II,
fearless defender. We regard as an interposio0
of Providence, for which our humble gratitude i,
especially due to the wise Disposer Of all Hum,n
Events, who has thus brought to the aid Of n,
American artisan and laborer, at the very epOeh
when their interests are assailed with the most
determined hostility, BY foes from without, and
undermined by hidden enemies within. that man
who is, perhaps. Of all others. best able success.
fully to defend and maintain their rishtsou
cause:
In you. Sir. we behold a man who has been
the object of persecution (which even your enc.
mics now acknowledge TO have been unmerted,N
more rancorous and more unrelenting, than has
yet been visited upon any other American ps.
riot. But. Sir, we also behold you unharmej BY
the maleyolence Of iactipn-uninjured BY il,
foulest calumnies-and invulnerable to the effort,
Of its most deadly hatred. We behold you stand
ing on that proud eminence where the malignant
efforts Of faction will ever fall harmlessy at your
feet-on that high gseund to which you have been
elevated BY the devotion through life Of your own
native talents to the advocacy Of the best inter-
ests of your feIlow.citizens at home, and the sd.
vancement Of the cause Of civil liberty through
out the world.
Long. Sir, may the smiles Of a benefcent Pro.
violence illumine your path and direct your course
-long may the faculties and energies Of your
own great and generous mind be devoted to ID.
promotion Of your country's gIory-lons mar
your eloquence continue to sustain our nation;
honor and its rights--and to delight and instruct
your w-citizens--snd may they, delivered
IRON the decisions Of party, unite'lly concur to
bless their country. by comforting upon you the
first office in its gift-may the evening Of Sur
days be serene, and your 6nal departure from this
world peaceful and happy. That your fame will
BE- enduring, needs not be said; for so long as the
Mechanic and Working Man Of America shall
ply their labors, SO long will the name Of HENRI
CLAY he honored. aud his memory cherished Is
the advocate and protector ofAmerican industry.
To this address Mr.. Clay (who had been 10.
app lied Of the intention to deliver it) promptly
and extemporaneously replied
THAT he received with deep but nexpres,i.
Bile sensibiIity these sentiments of friendship and
confidence from his felIow.citizens of Geog..
town, with many Of whom he had long been inii.
mately acquainted; that he was happy to 6nd
that they approved Of his return to the Councils
of the General Government; that in acceptIngi
seat IN the Senate, he had acted in conformity
with the wishes Of his friends, and in accordance
to great principle Of public duty which enjdu.
US to devote our BEST aud, IL necessary, our last,
exertions to the service of the Republic, that
without arrogating to himself extraordinary fore.
sight, he had long and clearly foreseen the dan.
gers which now menace our institutions and Ou'
systems Of public policy, aad be had warned The
people, again and again, Il the approach Of those
dangers; that now depends upon their virtue and
intelligence and independence, whether establish.
ed pulley aud long cherished safeguards shall be
or abandoned; that, if in faithful aud
fearless performance Of his duty, heretofore. he
had been the object of persecution, he was happy
to be assured that, amongst those who had mis-.
conceived him, there was returning sense Of
justice. whilst there always have been numer'
Gus portion Of his felow.citizens whose conf
dence and attachment remained mistaken; that
as in the past, so in the future. nothing should
deter him from moving straight forward 10 the
plain path Of duty which lies before him. And
with many and grateful thanks for these test'mo
MES Of esteem and respect from his fellow'c't
zens in Georgetown. he requested that they
would accept bis fervent wishes for the prosper
~ Of their own town, and for their individual
happiness.
The Committee remained with Mr.. Clay an
hour or two conversing with unrestrained free
dom on various subjects. and during their visit
partook of some refreshments which were dlstn'
buted.
Office 0f the Chesnuenke a. Ohio Canal Company,