Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1842-06-03
WI II. CLAY,

In response to q recent invitation TO
public dinner from his neighbors and
friends, the Hon. HENRY CLAY returned
the following answer:
ASHLAND, May 6, 1912.
Gentlemen: | have had the pleasure
TO receive your note, transmitting the
resolutions adopted at a meeting OF The
citizens Of Lexington and Fayelte coun.
ty, convened for the purpose of making
arrangements connected with my re-
turn home, IN consequence Of my resg
patton Of the office OF a Senator OF the
United States from the State of Kentuc
ky; in conformity with which you have
done me the honor to invite me to a
public entertainment, directed by one
OF the resolutions to be rendered 10 ms.
receive, gentlemen, these teslimo
malls Of appreciation, confidence, and af.
fecton with great and grateful sensibi.
ity. Such proofs emanating from any
portion of my fellow citizens of the Uni
ted States, however remote from my
residence, would be entitled to my par
ticular and respectful acknowledgements;
but proceeding, as these do, from my
neghbors, from the eye witnesses OF
my conduct both in private and public
life, and who, or whose ancestors, dur
ing period Of upwards Of forty years,
have remained firm and steadCast in
their attachment and friendship to me,
they fill me with the most agreeable
and touching emotions, and have made
deep and ineaaceabIe impression on my
heart. They will, united with the testi.
mony in my own bosom, serve, 10 the
retirement which have voluntarily
sought, TO heer & console me during
the remnant Of my days.
am happy that my quitting the pub.
lie councils Of our country, at this time,
is not dlsapproved. i deeply regret
the state Of general embarrassment ard
distress which exists. Although con-
scious that | have not contributed TO
produce it, no one would have soug ht
more eagerly to restore the common
prosperity than should, if it had been
in my power But, seeing no prospect
OF accomplishing any good correspond
ing with my wishes, | thought that |
might, without just cdnsure, now exc
cute my long delayed purpose Of retir.
ing into the shades Of private IIe.
From these your parliaily and friend.
ship for me prompt you TO desire me to
issue at scme future day. | have seen
enough Of the uncertainty Of public az
fairs and of the vicissitudes of human
life, 10 restrain me hom placing any
sangulne hopes upon such an event as
that 10 which you kindly alluded. But
whilst admit that self oslracism is in
compatible with the duties which a ci
tizen ever lies under to the Republic,
trust that | shall be always allowed,
AT proper times to decide whether
ought 10 give my consent or not to the
uso Of my name in any connexion which
may be proposed for it with any public
Office, whatever it may be. When a
suitable time arrives for decision, i.
ought TO be governed ny all existing
circumstances, Of which tho most i'm
portant would be tho probable wishes
of a majority Of those who have the
power 10 besow the Office. That time,
,hnk, has not vet arrived.
accept, gentlemen, with great plea
sure. the tender which you have been
authorized 10 make to mo of a public
entertainment; aud request you, also,
TO accept my cordial thanks for the
feeling and friendly manner in which
you have communicated the invitation.
am, with RGrclionate esteem and
regard faithfully your friend aud obe-
dent servant
II. CLAY.
TO Messrs, II |. BoDLEY, chairman, &c.