Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-07-06


Robinson
Mr. CLAY rose and spoke as follows;
MIR. PREsIDEsr, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
IL was given to our oountryman, franklin,
bring down the tightening from Heaven. L
enable me to be heard by this immense multitude,
should have TO invoke to my aid, and to throw int
my voice, its loudest thundefs. As cannot do ths
] hope shall be excused Tor such an use of m
lungs as is practicable and not inconsistent with IN
preservation of my heelth. And feel that it is on
first duty, 10 express our obligations to a kind an
bounuful Providence, for the copious and genie
showers with which he has Just blessed our land -
teireshment, OF which II stood much in need. 70
one, offer to him my humble and duuul ,hank'
The Inconvenience TO us, on this festive occasion
Is very slight, while the sum Of good which ihes
timely rains will produce is very great and encour
aging.
Feliow-ci,izens, | find myself now 10 situatio
somewhat like one in which was placed icy
years ngo when travelling through the State OF la
diana, from which my friend MIR Rarden) near m
cimes stopped at a village, containing some tou
or i've hundred inhabitants, and had scarcely n
lighted before found myself surrounde4in the Bar
room by every adult thale resident OF the place.
After while, observed a group consulting TO
geihcr in one corner Of the ROOM and shor ~ oil or
1 was diffdent;y approached by one oil them, tall
lank, lean, but sedatc and sober locking person,
with n long facc and high cheek bon's, who, al
dressing me, said he was commissioned 10y ms
neighbours, TO request that would say lew words
very happy to do any thing gratifying to yourself
and your neighbours, but l am very much tatisueG
and hungry and thirsty, and do not think the oc
casion is exactly suitable for n speech, and wish
You would excuse me to your friends. Wei, says
lie, MIR Clay, I coafess thought 50 myself, espeei
ally as we have no wine TO offer you 10 drink.
Now, if the worthy citizen oflndans was right in
supposing, thai glass OF wine was necessary pre-
lminarv, and precedent condition, TO the delivery
Of a speech you have no Just right TO expect one
from me at this time; for during the sumptnous re
past from which we have just risen, you offered me
nothing to drink but cold water-evcollent water,
il is true from the classic fountain OF our lamcnted
friend MIR Maxwell which has 80 often RECALLED us
on celebrations of our great anniversary. tGteat
laughter.)
protest against any inference of my icing
inimical to the Temperance cause. On the contra
ry think il an ndmirabl that has done great
good, and will continue TO do good rs long as legal
coercion is not employed, and II rests exclusively
upon persuasion, and its own intrinsic merits.
| have great and growing repugnsnce TO speak
ing in the open air large assembage. But wills,
the faculty of speech remains TO me. can never
feel that repugnance never feel other than grateful
sensations, IN making my Acknowledgements under
such circumstances ns those which have brought Us
together. Not that | am so presumpuous as To be-
eve that have been the occasion solely OF collect
ing this vast multitude. Among the inducements
cannot help thinking that the fat white virgin Dur
ham Hefer OF my friend MIR Bertmau, that cost
5000, which has Just been served up, and the other
good things which have been so lloerally siTenu De-
fore US, eIerted some influence IN swelling this un-
precsdently large meeting. [Grest laughter.
| cannot but feel, MIR President in offering my
respectful acknowledgements for the honor done me,
~ the eloquent address which you have jus, deliver
ed, and in the sediments with which you concluded
It, that your warm parvality and the etvent friend
ship which has so long existed between us, and the
kindness Of my neighbours and friends around me,
have prompted exaggerated description, in too
glowing colors, Of my public services and my poor
abilities.
seize the opportunity to present my heartfelt
thanks the whole people OF Kentucky, for all the
high honors and distinguished iavors which have
received, during long residence with them, at their
hands; for the liberal patronage which | received
from them in my professional pursuit. for the emf
nent places in which they have put me, or enabled
me TO reach; for the generous and unbounded conf
dcnce which they have bestowed upon me, ct all
times; for the gallant and answering fidelity and
attachment with which they stood by me, through
out all the trials and vcissitudes Of evenlfu and
nrduous life; and above all, for the scornfu ndigna-
ton with which they repealed an Infamous calumny
directed against my name and fame al Il momentous
period Of my public career. In recalling TO our
memory the circumstances Of that period, cannot
but be filled with nstonishment nj the indeiatga~
bity with which the caumny was propasated d aTTf
the Jealous partisan use-le-y hith it was applied
i0t only without evidence, but in the face Of full
md complete refuiaton. Under whatever deception
delusion or ignorance, II was received elsewhere,
with you, my friends and neighbours and with the
good people OF Kentucky, It received no counter
ance, but in proportion 10 the venom and the male
violence OF its circulation was the rigor and the
magnanimity with which was generously support
ed. Upheld by a consciousness OF the injustice OF
the charge, should have borne myself with becom-
ing forilude il ! had been abandoned by you as |
was 10y go large a portion of my couDtrymen; but
TO have been sustained and vindicated as was 10y
the people Of my own State, by you who knew me
best, and whom had so many reasons TO !Oye and
esteem, greatly cheered and encouraged me in my
onward progress. Eternal gratitude and thanks
are due from me.
thank you friends and fellow citizens, for your
distinguished and enthusiastic reception Of me this
day; and for the excellence and abundance of the
Barbecue that has been provided for our entertain
meni. And thank from the bottom OF my heart,
my fair countrywomen for honoring and grazing
and adding brancy TO this occasion by their nu-
Inerous attendance. If the delicHcy anc refinement
of their sex will not allow them 10 mix in the
rougher scenes OF human life, we may be sure that
whenever, by their presence, their smiles and ap
probation bestowed IL is no ordinary occurrence
That presence is railways an absolute guaranty OF or
der, decorum and respect. take the greatest plea
sure in bearing testimony 10 their value ard 'he,r
virtue. have ever found in then true and stead
FIST friends, generously sympathiZng IN distress,
and by their courageous forutude m bearing It
themselves encouraging TO initiate their example.
And We all know and remember how, as IN lSiO
they can powerfully aid q great and GOOD cause,
without any departure from the propreiy or dignity
az their sex.
In looking hack upon my origin and progress
through life have great reason TO be thankful
My father died in 1881 leaving me on infant Of tor
tender years retain any recollection of his smiles
or endeamenls. My surviving parent removed Il
tbis State in 1892 leaving me- boy OF fifteen year
of age, in the office OF the HIGH Court Of Chancery
in the city Of Richmond, without guardian, withou
recnniary MEANS Of support, to steer my course nj
/ might or could. a neglected education was m
proved by my own Irregular exertions. with
out the bCnef. Of systematic instruction. studied
llv principally in the Office OF lfmented friend
the late Gov Brooke, then Attorney General Of Vr
GINA and also under the auspices Of Toe venerab
md lnnentod Chancellor Wythc, for W ON had
acted as on amanuensis ! ob'sir I'd license u
Practice The profession om the Judges Of the COur
of Appeals Of Vwgnis, and estab. ithoj myself II
Lexington in 1897, without patrons, without th'
favor or oountenance Of the great or opu.cni, with
out the means OF paying my weekly board, and "
the midst on Bar uncommony distinguished by
eminent members. I remember how comfortable
thought ! should be if | could make GlUO0 Vrgi-
nn money per year, and with what delight re-
ceived the first fifteen shilling &c. My hopes were
more than realized. ! Immediately rushed into
successful onI lucrative practice.
In 1903 or y, when was absent from the Coun
~ Of Fayet,e, At tho Olympan Springs, without ms
know edce or previous consent, was brought for
ward as a candidnto, and elected TO the Genera
Assembly Of this State. served in that body Sc
verol years ond was then transferred 10 the Senate
and siterwards to Tie House Of Representatives O
tho United Stntcs. | will not dwell on the subse
quent events u my political life, or enumsrate thl
Offices which have filled. During my public ca
recr ! have had bitter implacabe, reckless enemies
Bot n ! hive been the object Of misrepresentation