The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-07-12
SPEECH OF HENRY CLAY
AT THE GREAT BARBAcUE AT LEXINGTON
JUNE g.,


JUNE 9. ....
In reply 10 very eloquent and compli-
menlary address with toast from the Hon.
George Robertson, President of the Meet
ing. Mr.. CLAY arose and spoke as follows:
Mr.. Presinent, Ladies and Gentemsn:
We have here omitted for want of room a
preliminary portion of the speech more a.
musing than useful.
shank you, friends and iellow-ci,izens,
for your distinguished and enthusiastic re-
cepiion of me this day; and for the excel
lence and abundance of the Barbecue that
has been provided for our entertainment.
And thank, from tn. bottom Of my heart.
my fair country women for honorng and
grazing and adding briliancy To this occa-
sion by their numerous attendance. If tho
deicacy and refinement Of their sex will not
allow them to mix in the rougher scenes Of
human life, we may be sure that whenever,
by their presence their smiles and approba-
tion are bestowed, It is in no ordinary oc.
currence. That presence is always an alb
solute guaranty Of order, decorum uni re-
spect. | lake the great ST pleasure in bear
iCotiiIOuJ ~ iiCAl
have ever found in them true and stead.
fas, friends. generously sympathizing in
distress. and, by their courageous foriitude
in bearing themselves, encouraging US to
initiate their example. And we all know
and remember how, as in l640,they Can aid
great and good cause, without any depart
ure from the propriety or dignity of their
.ey.
la looking back upon my origin and pro-
gress through life, have great reason to be
thankful. My father died in 1881, leaving
me an infant Of too tender years to retain a
hy recollection of his smiles or endearments.
my surviving parent removed to this State
in l795. leaving me, boy Of fifteen years
ofage, in the office ofihe High Court OF
Chancery, in the city of Richmond, without
guardian, without pecuniary means of sup
port, TO steer my course as might or could.
A neglected education was improved by my
own irregular exer,ions, without the benift
ofsystematic instruction. ! studied law
principally in the office Of lamcnted friend
the late Gov. Brooke, then Attorney Gener.
al Of Virginia. and also under the auspices
Of the venerable and lamented Chancellor
Wythe, for whom had acted as an amanu-
ensis. ! obtained license to practice the
profession from the Judges Of the Court Of
Appeals of Virginia, and established my self
in Lexington in 1907, without pairons,with-
out the favor or countenance Of the great or
opulent, without the means of paying my
weekly board, and in the midst of "a Bar un-
commonly distinguished by its members. |
remember how comfortableI thought should
be if could make ElOOVirginia money per
year, and with what delight received the
first fifteen shilling fee. My hopes were
more than realized. / Immediately rushed
into successful and lucrative practice.
Afterwards, when was absent from the
County OF Fayette.at the Olympian Springs,
without my knowledge or previous consent.
was brought forward as candidate and E.
Iected TO the General Assembly of this State
| served in that body several years,and was
then transferred to the Senate, and AFTER
wards 10 the House Of Representatives of
the United States. ] will not now dwell m
the subsequent events Of my political Iife,or
enumerale The offices which have filed
During my public career, have had bitter,
implacabe, reckless enemies. But If | have
been the object of misrepresentation and
unmerited calumny. no man has been below
ed or honored by more devoted, faithful and
enthusiastic friends. have 70 reproaches-
none-to make towards my country. which
| has distinguished and elevated me far be-
yond what bad any right 10 expect. |
forgive my enemies. and hope they may
live 10 obtain the forgiveness of their own
hearts.
/, would neither be fitting nor is il nv
purpose 10 pass jusgment on all the acts Of
nv public life; but hope shall be excused
for one or two observations, which the &C.
casion appears to me TO authorize.
/ never but once changed my opinion OH
any great measure of National policy, or on
any great principle of construction ofthe
National Constitution. Ia early life, on de-
liberate consideration, adopted the princi-
pies of interpreting the Federal Constitution
which had been so ably developed and en-
forced by Mr.. Madison, in his memorable
report 10 the Virginia legislature, and TO
them, as understood them, have constant
| " adht red. Upon the question coming up
in the Senate of the U States to re-charter
the first Bank of the United States thirty
wears ago, Iopposed the rechrrter upon
convictions which honestly entertained
The experience Ofthe War; which shortly
followed, the condition into which the cur
rency of the country was thrown, without q
Bank. and. may now add. later aud more
disastrous experience, convinced me was
wrong. publicly stated to my cons,iin-
tents, in a speech in Lexington (that which
| had mad in the House Of Representatives
of the United States not having been -epor-
ted,) my reason for that change and they
are preserved in the archives OF the country.
| appeal to that record; and am Wiling 10
be judged now and hereafter by their valld'-
ty.
do not advert to the fact this solitary
instance of change of opinion as implying
any personal merit, but because it is a fact.
I will, however. say that think 1t very per-
ilous to the utility ofany public man to make
freouent changes of opinion,of any changes