The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-06-18
Lexington.
Correspondence Of the Ilcrald.l

- VI. BENNETT, ESQ.,
The barbecue which has been this day given in
honor of " Harry Of the West has at length come
oil much TO the satisfaction of all VINO participated
IN the festivities Of the OCCASION and so far as my
knowledge extends, it appears to be the unanimous
wish of all men, OF all political parties that its Incl
dents should be spread far and near, and hlnded
down to postery
As an evidence of the liberal and grateful
spirit OF the present generation of Kcntuckians
and their extraordinary passion for man wor-
ship, the committee appointed for the purpose of
devlsing the ways and means of accomplishing so
desirable an object, were on the point of giving up
the matter In despair when the fruitful imagination
of Col Stevens relieved their perpexiries by simply
suggesting the name of Bennett and the Herald
which are said to be held in greater veneration by
him, than the names of Mahomet and the Koran by
all good Mussemen.
| shall, pursuant 10 Instructions proceed without
further preface, TO give you faithful account of the
most extraordinary celebration known in The annals
of Kentucky, though cannot refrain from express
sing my total inability to do justice to the subject
The consent of Mr.. Clay having been obtained
some weeks ago, to meet his friends on an occasion
OF this klnd committee appointed to make
due preparation which was doce on a scale oftruly
prncely magnfcence; indeed everything done
by this gent and bountiful committee is WORTHY
OF general commendation Yet regret 10 say they
have not received this act of Justice though no one
doubts the purity of their motives A majority
of the committee being Washingtonians, resolved
upon the entire exclusion of all alcoholic drinks from
the ground, which has been regarded by many as IA
most arbitrary measure, who could only be recon
ced TO this innovation by the of being
the only successful method which could be devised
to draw out the fair daughters of Ky, to swell the
crowd, and gladden. the heart of the purcst wing
patriot of the 18th century.
Though the locos may seowl and conservatives
gnash their teeth with rage, In view OF the unanim
~ OF sentiment and ardent zeal, which now prevails
IN the wing ranks in Kentucky, it is certainly, or
should be source OF Joy to the latter in having
grounds for the belief that this days proceedings
has met with the decided appreciation of Heaven
The weather, which for some days past has been
wet and cloudy, sudden unexpected cleared
up this morning, causing many lovely faces to smile
with jay, while offering up to Heaven the unfeigned
gratitude of their hearts, for the opportunity thus
gwen them OF displaying those charms which ma
ture has wisely designed for the captIvation of the
hearts of the sterner sex.
In accordance with the order of arrangements. all
business houses being closed, multitudes began to
assemble at early hour in the college lawn
When in the presence of thousands, full length
portrait of the amented Harrison was presented by
committee of Buckeyes from Columbus, to the wing
ladies of Kentucky in whose behalf they the Buck
eyes, were addressed by Gen. Combes, in strain of
eloqnence, which drew forth the most deafening APP
panse, shaking the unfortunate edifice, Morrison
College, to Its foundation, and transporting the
General in imagination to the very Heavens He
really looked as if he thought the day OF Judgment
had come.
This Interesting ceremony being finished, the pro-
cession, embracing all denominations of politicians
of both sexes, white, black, yellow, and quartroon,
moved with becoming dignity towards Maxwell
Spring, half mile from town, when preparations
were made for their entertainment The number
of persons in procession has been estimated at
10000, three four hundred carriages filed with
the farest of the fair, outshone the brilliancy
and yet. strange to say, when upon the ground, il
was difficult to say which attracted most attention.
they, or the 10000 pounds of meat, served up very
elegantly eight tables, each fifty yards in length
which were speedily surrounded and their contents
walked into with degree of voraclty which would
have put John Bull (or Vendov) himself to the
blush. This huge mass was made to disappear in
a short time like magic. The ladies' attribute il to
the Catholics, who the ground in great num-
bers preparing for fast eggs and fish next day FRI
day. The stonlachs OF ALL male and female, being
well gorgcd and consequently in happy state to APP
precate good speech, slowed themselves away
around the stage erected for the orators of the day
The company being restored to order number of
precious sentiments, prepared previously were read
out by Mr.. ]. f. Lay, in the happiest magi-
nablc, who was followed by Judge Robertson, in a
speech, setting forth the merits and powers of the
lion OF the day, which il altogether unnecessary
to dwell upon, as it will doubtless long be remeni-
bered for its unparalleled flights of eoquence and
modesty of sentiments, facts which Mr.. Clay, as
well as the speaker himself, appeared to be
scious Of
The Judge having resumed his seat Mr. Clay
up, and for the space of near three hours held
his vast audience enranced by the exhibition of
hose vast powers, with which it has pleased the
God of nature so literally to endow him. He COM
menced by expression of the belief that the boun.
ties of Providence of which they had just partaken
so freely had executed stranger influence on draw
| ing out this crowd than the speech which he was
about to deliver He then commented upon the
| glorious revolution effected by the temperance
| cause, though it was with much difficulty he cous
conceal his disappointment at the exclusion of that,
which when properly used is calculated to gladden.
the heart and expand the fancy He then proceeded
TO pourtray, most beautifully the present embarras-
sed state of the country, contrasting it with that
which she enjoyed in the years 81 and 80, and
gave old Hickory the credit of involving the coun
try in itspresent unenviable condition, by the shame
ful use of the veto power. He then continued in
very animated strain, acquanng us with the purity
of the motives which actuated him on all occasions
throughout his long political career; drew forth the
synIpahes of his audience by describing the malig-
nent manner in which he had often been prosecuted
by his opponents when in the discharge Of his duty
After declaring most positively that he was aogeth-
err void of ambition, and had always been governed
in his public and private acts by the pure A,nor Pa
hie, he wound up by giving captain Tyler" the
very devil for his reachery in vetolng all the avorte
of the wing urging them not TO give up the
ship, but to take fresh courage, reprick their fns,
and thunder forth the big guns with power which
would reverberate throughout the whole length and
breadth of North America; Assuring, his friends
himself as the cup ofhis glory was already filed TO
the brim, and long his spirit must go to Join those
of Washington. Harrison, and all the Patriots who
have served their country, since the revolution.
Only once Mr.. c. Interrupted in his speech,
which. if have been correctly informed, occurred
in the following strange manner. The old infantry,
the bloody ADD was invited TO escort Mr.. Clay to
the ground, upon reaching which, they were reqncs
ted to occupy very eligible and dignified position,
until the ladies' had graced the first table with their
presence, when a promise was made that they
should then be called up This pledge, regret to
say, was shamefully neglected through that selfish
ness which is said to be the usual attendant OF an
empty stomach. Overwhelmed with indignation at
this mark ofdisrespec, the company determined to
interrupt the meeting with martial music and sundry
warlike evoutions, which carried CONSERVATION and
dismay into the hearts of thousands of both women
and children and but for the intrepid front presented
by Capt Mccullough and his company OF gigantic
t,renaddiers, heaven only knows what ,wonld have