Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-07-14
From the Baltimore Patriot, June 80.
MIR. CLAY'S SPEECH,
AT THE GREAT KENTUCKY FESTIVAL
On THE 9TH OF JUNE, 1912.

instant, which we hasten 10 lay before the
readers Of the Patriot. The Introductory
Address Of Chief Justice ROBERTSON, pre-
cedes that Of Mr.. CLAY, which we have
not room for to-day. The learned Judge
concludes as follows:
But whatever may be thought of him
now, or whatever may be his future dos.
tiny on earth, his pos,humous fame, at
least, is secure. When the rival pa ssions
which have assailed him, shall have been
buried at his tomb, his character as pat.
riot, orator and statesman, will shine forth
clear and refulgent and like the bright
setting sun OF stormy day, it will pass
the horizon cloudless, spotless, and full
orbed. [Great applause.
Identified with his country's fortune,
bis memory will live in the history Of that
country's glory-and with WasEing,on's,
and 1amlton's, and Madison's, and Mar.
shall's, and Patrick I1enry's, it will be
embalmed in the hearts Of the virtuous
and wise, as long as eminent talents, sig
nally devoted to the welfare Of our race,
shall be revered among men.
And, in some future age, when the
young Kentuckian, with curious eye ard
palpitating heart, shall explore the Pan.
heon of illustrous Americans, soon at.
trac.ed by the most honored group, he
will there at once behold graceful and
majestic statue of granite, and casting an
anxious glance at the sculptured pedestal,
he will read, with unutterable emotions of
patriotic gratitude and PRIDE
HENRY CLAY, OF KENTUCKY.
Without OBTAINING you longer. will
announce the sentiment, to which millions,
now and for ages, will approvingly re-
spond:
HENRY CLAy-Fdrmer of Ashland,
Patriot and Philanthropist- the AMERICAN
salesman, and unripalled orator Of The age
-l,ustrious abroad, beloved at home: In
a long career Of eminent public service,
often, like Aristides, no breasted the rag.
ing storm Of passion and delusion, and by
offering himself sacrifice, saved the Re.
public and now, like Cincinnatus and
Washington, having voluntarily retired to
the tranquil walks ofprivate life, the CRATE
full heats Of his countrymen will do him
ample justice bu, come what may, Ken.
fucky piH stand By him, and still continue
to cherish and defend, as her own, the
fame of son who has emblazoned her
escutcheon with immortal renown.
After Chief Justice ROBERTSON con.
cludcd his address, and announced the
toast complimentary to Mr.. CLAY, Mr.. G.
rose and spoke as follows:
M President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
|, was given to our countryman, Frank
lin, to bring down the lightning from Hea-
ven. To enable me TO be heard by this
immense multitude, should have 10 in
woke to my aid, and 10 throw into my
voice, its loudest thunders. AS cannot
do that, hope shall be excused for such
an use of my lungs as is practicable and
not inconsistent with the preservation OF
my health. And feel that II is our first
duty, to express our obligations to kind
and bountiiul Providence, for the coplous
and genial showers with which he has just
blessed our land-a refreshment OF which
i, stood in much need. For one, | offer
to Him my humble and dutlful thanks.
The Inconvenience to us, on this festive
occasion, is very slight, while the sum OF
good which these timely rains will pro-
duce is very great and encouraging.
Fellow citizens, find myself now in
situation somewhat like one in which |
was placed some years ago, when ! was
travelling through the State OF Indiana,
from which my friend Mr.. RARIDEN)
near me comes. | stopped at village,
containing some four or five hundred IN
habitants, and had scarcely al'ghted be-
lore found myself surrounded in the Bar
room by every adult male resident IN the
place. Alter while, ! observed group
consulting together in one corner OF the
room, and shortly after, | was dlfhdently
approached by one of them, tall, lank,
lean, but sedate and sober looking per-
son, with long face and high cheek
bones, who, addressing me, said he was
commissioned by his neighbors, to request
that | would say few words TO them.
Why, my good friend, said |, should be
very happy to do any thing gratifying
to yourself and neighbors, but am very
much ialgued, and hungry and thirsty,
ana | 40 not tUInh tic oCCdSlon Is eAuCtly
suitable for a speech, and | wish you
would excuse me to your friends. Well,
avs he, Mr.. Clay, confess | thought so
myself, especially as we have no wine TO
offer you 70 drink
Now, if the worthy citizen of Indiana
was right in supposing that glass Of
wine was necessary preliminary, and
precedent condition, to the delivery OF
speech, you have no just right to expect
one from me a, this time; Tor during the
sumptuous repas, from which we have just
risen, you offered me nothing to drink but
cold water-excellent water, 1t IS true,
from the classic fountain of our lamented
friend Mr.. maxwell, which has so often
RECALLED us on celebrations OF our great
anniversary. [Great laughter
protest against any inference oil my
being inimical TO the Temperance cause.
On the contrary, think it an admirable
cause that has done great good, and VIII
continue to do good as long as legal CO.
ercion is not employ ed, and it rests exclu-
sively upon persuasion, and It's own IN
trinsic merits.
! have great ana growing repugnance
TO speaking in The open air to large as