The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-30

ing into effect A fatering letter was addressed to
Mr.. Wicklife, to which he responded, fixing upon
the Sd instant for the festival We extract the fol-
lowing paragraph from his reply:
can invitation like this, at any time, would be
garded by with feelings Of profound respect and
gratitude-though might decline the honor rendered;
but coming as this does from my friends and neigh
bors Of both political parties when about to separate
myself from their society-wheh have so long
joyed and SO well appreciated-I will with pleasure
accept il.
We give below, from the Barlstown Gazette, the
proceedings the occasion, alike honorable to Mr..
Wcklife and those, who laying aside the prejudices
of party, united in such falterng testimonial of re-
spect and confidence on his departure from among
them.
In our last We gave the proceedings Of the meeting
of the friends Of Mr.. WIcklife, and the correspon-
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 our coun-
try This was distinctly understood not to be poll
tical meeling-nor gotten up TO subserve any party
purpose The feast was rendered to Mr.. w. as a
private citizen, friend and neighbor; and par
taken of by persons of different religious sects and
political creeds. All prejudices and differences Of
opinion hanished upon the occasion--the utmost
harmony and good feeling prevailed as the spark
ling glasses were filled TO flowing" many social
jest and feeling sentiment were passed around.
The following were among the gentlemen solicited
by the Committee of Invitation to attend Rev. R.
A. Able, Rev. J. M. Lancaster, Rev. s. s. Nero
berts, Rev. Mr.. Scott, Rev. j. Stamper, VIM. B.
Slaughter, Esq, VIM M. Randolph, Esq, Joseph
Holt ESQ.
When the cloth had been removed, the following
toasts and sentiments were read by the gentlemen a
pointed for the purpose.
REGULAR ToAsTs.
LIST. Our Country-The great theatre of the first
md limo NJ saf
2nd. Our Republican Institutions Originally de-
signed for ourselves they have diiused their happy
influence over the nations Of the earth.
3D. George Washingt Drank standing)
4th. The Er-Presidsnts Of the United States.
5th. The Statesmen and Patriots Of American his
tory-Let US emulate their virtues.
9th. The President Of the United States.
7th. The PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF OUR Gov
ERNMENT-May that Carrier Dove, as she flies with
wings of wind the land, conveying from heart to
heatt the tokens Of love and of riendshipand from
hand to hand the messages Of business and of com
merce-unite the scattered members Of our great am
y, by ties that stronger than the efforts of all
tons to sever.
9Th. The Hon. C A. Wickl6e- Our friend and fel-
low citizen-the affairs Of the General Post Office
could not be confded to ADLER hands; and the Chief
Magistrate will find in him safe and wise counsellor
Our regret at the loss country and State will sus-
tain by his departure from amongst US, is somewhat
mitigated by the reflection that loss is the nation
gam.
When this sentiment was read, Mr.. WIcKLIFFE
arose, and remarked:
Ma PRESIDENT AND FaIENDs-(For claim TO call
you by that endearng title ALTHOUGH have for the
last thirty years. been in the practice Of public speak
ing in the discharge Of professional duties and in po
tcal assemblies never before have arisen to address
an assembly under the state of feeling. 1t is
afectation when assure you that am overpowered
by what have witnessed, and now Witnessing,
around me this day. 1t would be poor return for
the kindness you have done me, 10 say thank yod.
did not misinterpret the invitation with which you
hoLored me to meet you around this festive board. |
saw that was an 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
am in the midst of friends.
In the course of my political life-and it has not
been very short one for one OF my age-it has been
my misfortune differ with many of my best personal
friends and often with majority of the citizens of
Nelson yet they have sustained me by continuation
oftheir confidence and friendship which has implanted
in my bosom sense Of gratitude that nothing, mol
nothing but death can obliterate.
About to separate from such friends and neighbors,
for season only, hoPe) and to enter upon thea
tire to me new and untried-to assume duties arduous
and responsibe-what could be 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 official station
will be the recollections 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 countrymen, with
whom have lived for forty years-this Of itself
would be sufficient to animate to ledonbed exer-
ton.
Mr. President am forbid by the occasion (if de.
sired, and God knows do noD to discuss or aude to
of the topics which have separated the members OF
this great nat into political divisions and
pecially those of recent origin, which have been the
immediate cause Of my appointment to an office that
places in official relations to the Chief Magis
trate Of the United States. To accept station like
this, at any tme would be accompanied by a distrus
of my abilities for the perol nance 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-emnent abilities by which
these public functionares have been distinguished
the hold which they successfully have had, and now
have, upon the confidence OF their fellow citizens
| feel the more the responsibility of my situation.
cannot claim to equal them in the splendor and power
of intellect; nevertheless, will yield nothing in de
voton to the principles Of free Constitution, iI
effort to advance the glory and happiness of my
try and to maintain the high character of native
State.
1t shall be my purpose to aid if possible to heal the
divisions which afflict and divide the councils Of
the nation, TO further the establishment of such mea
sures as will restore to the country a sound curren
cy and ceap exchange" such shall give wings tc
| commerce and reward to industry.
But, citizens, 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 enlightened and liberia
| patriotism which has ever characterized Americans
We have difficulties incident to relations with
| foreign power, to Just.
At this moment we are threatened with war BY
the most powerful 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 me to disclose them So far
can understand the subject it does appear to me
that the American Government has assumed the true
position of justice and national honor. A position
she must and will maintain. Cheers
Our policy a nation 10 to cultivate peace II Is
the path which conducts to prosperity and true glory
and trust that both councils Of both nations will be
influenced by wisdom, and under the guidance of an
all wise Providence we shall escape that greatest oil
calamities-wAR. Yet, if that great, powerful, and
proud nation shall not akeher councils from wisdom
draw lessons from experience, but insist upon de-
mands inconsistent with national honor rely upon
it gentlemen, will in the expression OF my own OPT