Madison Whig advocate. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1839-1841, 1840-01-04
Henry Ciay--Dinner to Harrisburg
Convention.

4
/ Henry Ciay--Dinner to Harrisburg
Convention.
A truer patriot than Henry Clay the
sun never shone upon. Search the pa
ges of history Of all nations, and you
find no superior-no equal himself
alone the proudest monument of human
greatness - blending the stern virtue,
patriotism, and love Of country of Cato,
with eloquence never surpassed. OF
his love of country and patriotism, we
have another instance in the cheerful
ness with which he submits TO the de-
cision of the Wing Convention-of his
preference of country over self Now
does he stand forth to the world, that.
as he has said, he was "aR1bitious
only ambitious of his country's good'-
and not possessed Of such ambition, as
the vile partizans, and venal parasites of
power have charged.
In another column our readers will
find his letter to the Harrisburg Conyen-
zion, we ask them to read it, it is worthy
of him and deserving their attention.
Annexed is the speech of Mr.. Clay at
the dinner, given by the Wing members
Of Congress to the Harrisburg Conven-
ton, at which Mr.. Crittenden, Mr.. South
ard, Mr.. Bell and others, presided
When Mr.. Clay was toasted he rose and
delivered a most eloquent and animated
address, of which the following is a
brief sketch:
sMr c.. said, that although he had &C.
cepted the invitation TO participate in the
festivities of the day, he expected to re-
main almost silent spectator. But he
could not remain silent am, said he.
here to render honor TO those who, after
performing most arduous service in a
National Convention, are about to return
TO their constituents. You, gentlemen,
said he, have made great and patriotic
sacrifice you have travelled at an in
clement season of the year--some of
you a thousand miles to perform what
may be Considered high and important
duty | am proud to honor those who
have thus honored the country-those
who, at great sacrifices, have left their
homes for the public good. Your body
was composed of men of great weight |
of character and talent, and you are
here after having travelled the length |
and breadth of the land in this public |
service. There cannot be a single |
doubt as 10 the acquiescence of the great |
u"hio pcrtv Of the Union in the result of
vour del;bar,,n;e,rs. II was your fortune
mi
or misfortune to meet with vo.r.ous I'm
ions; but meeting and celebrating, a.
was designed, you have made unani-
nous nomination. Surely, said Mr. Clay |
it becomes no member now to object to
what was done. If the friends of favo-
rites are disappointed, they are bound
10 forget their disappointment, they are
bound py every consideration of patriot
ism-by their hopes of changing and
destroying this corrupt administration
by their desire to establish purei' and
better government, to acquiesce in the
nomination which has been made.
.sIf-continued Mr.. Clay, with great
earnestness of manner, = if | have
connected with me by
the ties of blood, by the bonds of friend
| have any one who loves me
Il assure them that they cannot do me
a better service than to follow my ex
ample, and vote heartily as shall, for
the nomination which has been made
Immense applause.) Talk not of sacri-
fee, said Mr. Clay. What is public
man worth to the country-in what does
he show his patriotism if he is not al
ways ready 10 sacrifice himself for his
country. There has been no sacrifice
We have not been contending for Henry
Clay, for William Henry Harrison, for
Daniel Webster. or for Winfield Scott
No.-we have been coniending for prin-
ciples. Not men, but principles are our
rules of action Look not then TO Har-
risburg but to the White-house-not to
the nomination, but to the mountain of
corruption which it is designed to over
throw, not 10 the man who has been no.
minated, but TO the Goths and Vandals at
the Capitol. William Henry Harrison
and John Tyler are medicine which will
cure us of the sacrifice, If sacrifice there
be, but there is none. Go home. then,
gentlemen of the Convention. remembers
ing what You have seen here. Tell
your constituents of the Domination-ofI
a bleeding constitutional the execu-
tive power against which we are waging
a war of extermination-of executive
machinery and executive favor-or one
President nominating his successor, and
that successor his successor. Tell them
10 put forth all the energies they pos
sess to relieve the land from the curse ,
which rests upon it; and if they can
then be Indifferent, from that moment +,
they cease 10 be patriots
The Speech received shout, Of ap-