The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-18
SPEECH OF THE HON. HENRY CLAY
OF KENTUCKY

OF KENTUCKY,
Delivered lime 27, lS40, on the occasion Of a
Public Dinner eirea in compliment 10 him.
al 1aylorsrHie. in his ndtire county 81
Hanorer, IN he State Of Virginia.
The sentiment in compliment to Mr.. CLAY was re-
ceiyel with long continued applause. mai venue
man rose and addressed the company substantially as
follows. :.
/ think, friends and feow-citizens that, availlng
myself OF the privilege of my long service IN the pup
lie councils lust advcrted to, the resolution when
have adopted is not unreasonable of leaving TO young
er men, generally, the performance OF the duy, a,iu
the enjoyments of the pleasure, OF addressing 'ne
People in their primary assemblies. hter the event
which occurred last winter at the Capital OF Pcnnsy
,ania | believe il due to myself to the Wing cause,
and to the country, to announce TO the Public, with
perfect truth and sincerity, and without any reserve,
my fixed determination heartily to support the nom
nation Of William Henry Harrison there made. TO
put down all Misrepresentation have, on suitable
occasions repeated this annunciation and now de-
clare my solemn conviction that the purity and secu
ry Of free institutions and the prosperity of the
country mperaliyely demand the election OF that ctr
zen to the office of Chief Magistrate of the United
States
But this occasion forms an exception from the rule
which have prescribed for myself have come here
TO the county Of my nativity in the spirit OF pilgrim,
to meet perhaps for the last time, the companions
and the descendants Of the companions OF my youth
Wherever roam in whatever climate or land we
cast by the accidents of human life beyond the
mountains beyond the ocean in the legislative halls
Of the capitol in the retreats and shades OF private
ie our hearts turn with irresistible instinct 10 the
cherished spot which ushcrcd us into existence And
we dwell with delightful associations the recollec-
tons of the streams in which, during our boylsh days,
w bathcd; the fountain at which we drunk; the
pncy fields the hills and the valleys where we sported,
and the friends who shared these enioyments with
Alas too many of these friends of NINE have gone
whittier must all shortly 90 and the presence here
Of the small remnant left behind nttesis both loss
and carly attachment would greatly prefer,
my friends to employ the time which this visit affords
IN friendly and familiar conversation on the virtues OF
our departed companions and the scenes and adj
ventures OF our younger days; but the expectation
which prevails, the awful state OF beloved coun-
try and the opportunities which have enioved in lis
Wbc councils, impose on me the obligation of touch
ING on topics less congcnia with the feelings of nv
heart but possessing higher public interest j assure
YOU elowcltizcns, however that present myself he
lore YOU Tor no purpose OF exciting prcludces, in
humng passions but To speak to YOU in all soherncss
and Truth, and 10 testify to the things which know,
~ The convictions which entertain as an ancient
friend Who has lived long and whose career is rapidly
drawing 70 close. Throughout an arduous life,
nave et'ayorei to make truth and the good of our
country the guides of my public conduct but in
Hanover county for which cherish sentiments OF
respect gratitude and vcncraion, above all other places
would avoid saying any thing that did not sincere
" and truly believe
Why Is the plough deserted, the tools of the me-
chanlc laid aside and all are rushing 10 gather
ing' Of the People, What occasions those vast and
unusual asscmblages which we behold in every State
aud ~ almost every neighborhood? Why those CON
Nehuons OF the People, at common centre from all
me rxremes of this vast Union, to consult together
upon me sulernes Of the community, and to delibe-
iale on TIE means OF deliyerancel WHY this robd
apPctite Tor public DISCUSSIONS What is the solution
81 The phenomena, which observe Of a great ma.
Ton agIiacd upon lis whole surface and at its lowest
depths Ike the ocean when used ly some terrible
Noin There must Dc cause, and ordinary
cause
u has been truly said in the most memorable docu-
"'l that ever issued from the pen of man, that :" all
'NRrrhcc hath shown that mankind more dis
lsel y suffer while cl lis are suilerabe than night
V'msrlNes 10y abosbng the forms 10 which they ar,
accustomed The recent history Of our People fur
ln,hr5 confirmation Of that truth They ave active
'i,rlFsng, and nelligcnt but are not prone t,
MAKE gToundess complaints against public servants
we now every where behold them in motion, it Is
h'c" they feel that the grievances under which the,
~ Wnthlng can be no longer tolerated, They fee
'''f absolute necessity of a changc--that chang,
''n render their condition worse and that any chang.
,ns' better Thus is the judgmcntlto which they
htNf come this is the brief and compcndious logic
''h We daily hear. They know that, in all IN,
,,l'lEaone Of Providence they have reason 10 h'
'"hNul aud il they had not they would be borne
N"A ioHuule and resignation. But there Is per
"Iihg conviction and persuasion that in the admins
''uoh "l Government there has been somcthln,
WONG radically wrong and that the vessel Of Stat,
ts been IA the hands of selfish iathess and unskil
~ pilots who have conducted il amidst the breakers
~ NY deliberate opinion the present distressed an,