Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-08-06

with astonishment at the indefatigability
with which the calumny was propagated
and the jealous partisan use to which it was
applied, not only without evidence, but in
the face of full and complete refutation.-
| Under whatever deception, delusion or ig-
norance, it was received elsewhere, with
you, my friends and neighbors, and with
the good people of Kentucky, it received
no countenance; but in proportion to the
venom and the malevolence of its circula-
ton was the vigor md magnanimity with
which was supported. Upheld by con-
sciousness of the injustice of the charge, |
should have borne myself with becoming
fortitude, il | had been abandoned by you
as / was by SO large portion Of my coun-
trymcn; but to have been sustained and
indicated as was by the people of my
own State, by you who know me best; and
whom had SO many reasons to love and
esteem, greatly cheered and encouraged me
in my onward progress. Eternal gratitude
and thanks are due from me.
thank you friends and felow-citizens,
for your distinguished and enthusiastic re-
ception of me this day: and for the excel
lcnce and abundance Of the Barbecue that
has been provided for our entertainment.
And thank from the bottom Of my heart,
my fair countrywomen for honoring and
grazing and adding briiancy to this occa-
sion by their numerous attendance. Ii the
, delicacy and refinement of their sex will
not allow them to mix in the rougher scenes
of human life, we may be sure that when
ever, by their presence their smiles and
appreciation are bestowed, it is no ordina-
ry occurrence. That presence is always
an absolute guaranty of order, decorum
and respect. / take the greatest pleasure
in bearing testimony to their value and
virtue. / have ever found in them !ruc
and steadfast friends, generously sympa-
thysing in distress, and by their courageous
fortitude in bearing themselves, encoura-
ging US to initiate their example. And we
all know and remember how, as in 1910,
they can powerfully aid a great and good
cause, without any departure from the pro-
priety or dignity of their sex.
In looking back upon my origin and pro-
gress through life, have great reason to
be thankful. My father died, in 1881, lea
retain any recollection of his smiles or en-
dearments, my surviving parent removed tc
this State in 1893, leaving me, a boy o.
fifteen years of age, in the office Of the
High Court of Chancery, in the City Of
Richmond, without guardian, without pccu
mary means of support, to steer my course
as l might or could. A neglected educa,
ton was improved by my own irregular
exertions, without the benefit of systemat.
ic instruction. studied law principally in
the office of lamented friend, the late
Gov. Brooke, then Attorney General oil
Virginia, and also under the auspices Of
the venerable and lamentcd Chancellor
Wythe, for whom had acted as an anna
nuensis. obtained license to practice
the profession from the Judges of the Cour,
, of Appeals of Virginia, and established
myself in Lexington in 1897, without pa
irons, without the favor or countenance OF
the great or opulent, without the means OF
paving my weekly board, and in the midst
of Bar uncommonly distinguished by il!
members. remember how comfortable
thought ] should be if | could make GIO(
Virginia money per year, and with wha
delight | received the first fifteen shilling
fee. Ny hopes were more than realized
| Immediately rushed into successful anc
lucrative practice.
Afterwards. when was absent from tht
county of Fayette, at the Olympian
Springs, without my knowledge or previous
consent, was brought forward as a can
didate and elected to the General Assem-
bly, Of this State. ! served in that body
several years. and was then transferred &c
/ the Senate, and afterwards to the House o
, Representatives of the United States.
, will not now dwell on the subsequent
} events of my political life, or enumeratt
, the offices | have filled. During my publ,
= career, have mad bitter, implacable. recl
b, less enemies. But if have been the OBJ
/ ect Of Misrepresentation and unmeriteC
e calumny, no man has been beloved or hon
/ ored by more devoted, faithful and enthusi
: astic friends. | have no reproaches-nont
to make towards my country, which ha
:, distinguished and elevated me far beyont
+ what had any right TO expect. l forgiv'
S my enemies, and hope they may live to OBJ
e tain the forgiveness Of their own hearts.
!, 1t would neither be fitting nor is it m
t purpose to pass judgment on all the acts G
: my public life; but / hope ! shall be ex
: eused for one or two observations, whlc
d the occasion appears to me TO authorize.
g I never but once changed my opinion o
r any great measure of National policy, O
on any great principle of construction c
y the National Constitution. In early lift
# on deliberate consideration, adopted tn
j. principles of interpreting the Federal Cor
|, stitution which had been so ably develope
+ and enforced by Mr.. Madison, in his men
l orable report to the Virginia Legislature
: and to them, as | understood them, hay
II a.