The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-28

Mr.. WickliHe, 10 which he responded, fixing upon
The 81 instant for the festive. We ertiact The fol
lowing paragraph from his reply
"An invitation like this al any lime, would be re.
garded by with feelings Of profound respect and
gratitude-though might decline the honor rendered;
but coming As tins does from my friends and ne,en.
bon Of both political parties when about TO separate
myself from their society-which have 80 long en-
joyed and 20 well appreeiated-l will with pleasure
accept it.
We give below, from the Bar istown Gazette, the
proceedings on the occasion, alike honorable 10 Mr..
Wickhe and those, Who laying aside the prtJudiees
Of party united in such faitenng testimonial OF re-
them.
In our last we gave the proceedings Of The meeting
Of the friends Of Mr.. Wicklfe, and the eonespon
dence between the Committee and that gentleman.
The dinner was given at the Smiley House, on the
evening Of the ID inst and attended by very large
number Of gentlemen from all portions Of eoun-
Try, This was distinctly understood not TO be poll
tIcal mesiing-nor gotten up 10 subserve any party
purpose. The feast was rendered to MIR w as q
private citizen friend and neighbor; and was par
taken Of by persons Of different religious sects and
political creeds All prejudices and differences of
opinion were banished upon the occasion utmost
harmony and good feeling the spark
ling glasses were " filled To flowing many social
Jest and feeling sentiment were passed around.
The following were among the gentlemen solicited
A. Able, Rev. J. NJ. Lancaster, Rev. 5. 5. McRo-
berts, Rev. MIR Scott Rev. j. Stamper, WIN. b
Slaughter, Esq, WIN. M. Randolph, Esq, Joseph
Holt, Esq.
toasts and sentiments read by the gentlemen APP
pointed for thepurPose.
REGULAR ToAsTs
lst Our Countrywide great theatre Of the frs,
grand experiment Of self Government.
hi flur RrrnbIrau Iusfisufions-O TIpinally de-
signed for ourselves they have diused their happy
influence over the nations OF the earth
Sd George Washington x Drank standing)
4th The Err Presidenfs Of the United STATES.
9Th The Statesmen and Patriots Of american his
tory--Let us emulate their virtues.
9th. The President Of the United States.
1th TnE PosT OFricE DEPARTMENT OF our Gov
ERNMGsT--May that Carrier Dove, as she flies with
wings of wind over the land conveying from heart 10
heart the tokens Of love and of friendshipand from
hand 10 hand the messages OF business and Of com
merceunite the scattered members of our great fam
w. by ties that stronger than the efforts Of all ma
tions to sever
9th. The Hon C A. Wicklifs-- Our friend and fell
low citizen-the affairs Of the General Post Once
could not be confded to ADLER hands, and the Chief
Magistrate will find 10 him safe and wise counsellor
Our regret at the Tors our country and state VIII sus
tain by his departure from amongst Us, 70 somewhat
tigaed by the reflection that loss Is the nations
gain.
arose, and remarked
Ma PaEsIDEsr AND FRIeNDs-( For claim to call
YOU by that endeaing title Although have, for the
last thirty years, been the practice Of public speak
ing in the discharge of professional dues and In POI
ltlca assemblies before have arisen to address
assembly under the same state OF feeling. II IS no
affectaton when ] assure you that am overpowered
by what have witnessed, and now Witnessing
around me this day. II would be poor return for
the kindness you have done me, TO say thank yod
did not mislnterpret the invitation with which you
hoLoled me to meet you around this festive board
saw that offering to private friendship, and
not political jubilee and therefore accepted it, and
praise it the more. And though find myself sur
rounded by gentlemen entertaining different political
sentiments, am in the midst of friends.
In the course Of my political lfe-and 1t has not
been very short for one Of my age-it has been
my misfortune to differ with many Of my best personal
friends, and often with majority of the citizens OF
Nelson yet they have sustained me by continuation
of their confdencsand friendship which has imp anted
in my bosom sense of gratitude that nothing, no !
nothing but death can oblilerate.
About to separate from such friends and neighbors,
(for only, hope) and TO enter upon thea
tire to new and untred-to assume duties arduous
and responsible-what could be more gratifying TO
me than the incidents of to-day Believe me- gentle
men, when tell you this is the proudest hour Of my
life. How cheering, how animating, amid the diff
culties which must meet in my new official station,
will be the recoleclions Of to-day If had nothing
else TO stimulate To honest and faithful discharge
Of my public duties but to fulfil your expectations and
to maintain the good opinion OF my countTymen, with
whom have lived for forty years-this Of itself
would be sufficient to animate to iedoubled exef-
ton.
Mr. President, am forbid by the occasion (if de.
sired and God knows do not TO discuss allude to
any Of the topics which have separated the members of
this great nat into political divisions, and more
pecally those of recent origin, which have been the
immediate cause OF my appointment to an office that
places in official relations 10 the Chief Magls-
lraie of the United States To accept station like
this any time, would be accompanied by distrust
Of my abilities for the performance of its duties
But when reflect that Kentucky has been twice
before distinguished by immediate representation
in the Cabinet councils Of the Federal Administration;
when reflect upon the pre- eminent abilities by which
these public functionaries have been distinguished
the hold which they successfully have had, and now
have, upon the confidence OF their fellow citizens-l
feel the more the responsibility of my situation
claim equal them in the splendor and power
of intellect; nevertheless will yield nothing in de-
votion to the principles Of free Constitution in
effort to advance the glory and happiness of my
try and to maintain the high character OF our native
State.
1t shall be my purpose aid if possible heal the
divisions which sfict and divide the councils OF
the nation TO further the establishment OF such
sures will restore TO the country sound curren.
cy and cap exchange" such a shall give wings tc
commerce and reward to industry.
But fellow citizens, we have other difficulties of
more delicate and vital Importance to the American
people. Our domestic troubles be settled by our
selves by the exercise Of that emily hened and liberia
patriotism which has ever characterized Americans
We have difficulties incident to our relations with
foreign power, to adjust
At this moment threatened with war b,
the pow erful nation Of Europe What is the pre-
state OF the negotiation at this time between Eng
land and America, am not informed and if were
1t might not be proper in to disclose them. SO fa
can understand the subject, it does appear m,
that the American Government has assumed the tru
position Of justice and national honor. A position
she must and will maintain. Cheers Il
| Our policy as nation is TO cultivate peace II il
the path which conducts to prosperity and true glory
and trust that both councils of both nations will b.