New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-07-02
THE GREAT CLAY fEoli'A h'
youUwT.ON,s SPEECH.

a -
r"'Ia.inr address wa. made by Hon. GEo.
,a~.r.oy President Of the Great Festival IN
honor of HENRY CLAY, in Offering the toast with
which il closes
a. the organ of the neighbors Of our distn-
rui,hed countryman aud guest TO WHO'S tuey nave
dedicated this kentucky festiva as attribute OF ihen
-o.,ec, for MIN 4. A man. and Of their gratitude
for the eminent services OF his long and e'eht'u'
nphlic life. | now propose a GROWING sentiment
which. 80 we believe, will be cchoedby the unlted
head and h-art of this vast multitude, OF D0iH sex
e. and OF all ages and denominations
We have assembled, my e0untfym"n, moi 10 "or-
shin an installed idol, nor 10 propitlate patronage
bv pouring the incsns. Of iattery at tiie feet %
Official power, but to greet with heart ana hand'
An old patriot returned the walks OF private iie,
with consciousness # having, through all the VI
cssi,uAcs of inconstaut fortune, always endeavorrd
10 4. his duty to the whole country, aud with the
memory also Of deeds of which the proudest OF
Earth might well be proud. (Cheers.)
By the good and the wise OF all parties, who
feel rs they should ever feel, such an occasion ~
this mist be approved as the offspring Of emotions
which should be cherished by every enlightened
friend Of hs Couutrys nslitutOns, and b.
every disiniercstsd admirer OF Toe noble OF h's
species. We should honor those who honor n3 -
Distinguished services by whomsocScr rend' red,
should be gratefully remembered. AID exalted
talents are entitled universal respect. Bur, when
one Of our own countrymcn, by the force OF hi-
own gcnix, and virtues, has risen FROM poverty and
ob.curity, AMI not only epnobied ms own name
but illustrated that OF his Country, ~ personal
Jealousy or political prejudice, should chill the
homage Of that Country's undivided heart And
when, a. now, we behold him, plain citizen,
grown grey il the public service, andretred to h's
farm to live and die among ", what RePuDhcaE,
what KenfuckiaR, can rebuke the sympathy ana
re.pect here ti. day manifested toward MN, III
manner uncxamplcd, aud far more grateii' To hi'
heart, than the offer of the highest oiilc'a station
ON Earth On such day aud at snch place ali,
of every rank and name, might honorably unite ID
this common Offering OF cordial respect, for fell
low-citzen whom, perhaps, we shall nsScr again
see and hear as we now see aud 'hall near INN,
and who honors Us a, much IS he can be honoreu
BY US. To the thousands here present, the scene
around US is peculiarly imposing, aud suggests re-
Elections both encouraging and cnn0bhng.
Not more than half century has elapsed since
the Indian with his tomahawk lurked in the cane
brakes of our pioneer fathers. Within rather
less than TINT eyentlul period, II bsardless suan-
ger was for the first time, seen on the streets -
the then ltle village Of Lexington. Like FIoHfttn
when Ice first visited PhHadetph'n, poor aud
friendless orphan BOY had left hi- native FVctn'0
and come fJrlors to this land 81 promise, 10 seeh
his fortune and fix his destiny. lie leaned alone
on Providence "A widowed mothers pray crs, and
the untu,orcd talents with which God had been
pleased to bless him. Those prayers prsyailcd-
and that Providence and those talents sustained
him in all his trials and soon pointed Lis to
high and bright career, which Honc but the good
and great can ever run with hesOr or success.
That career h has, 80 far run with "A iu',rc "a
surpassed The Forum aad the senate have
been adorned and exalted by the graceful displays
Of his rare genius, and the overwhelming pow'
Of his Demosihcnan clequ0Ecc. Ills name l.
identified with the forensic, political, and ifio-
matte history of the United States for the last
thriy-six wears and his mark - leglblc On every
important act of national legislation or American
policy which has been either adopted OF discussed
in this union, within that period. lie has always
been the friend Of the honest laborcr-tic cham
pion of domestic industry, and sound currency
the advocate OF equal rghts-and the defender 81
the Constitution, which, though excellent as 1t Is,
might, in his judgement, still he improved by the
prudent notifications Of experience. His voice
has been heard and his founders felt in the cause
of civil and religious liberty, in every cline. And
always and every where. the kenfucktaR has
been distinguished Cor lofty and comprehensive
patriotism, republican simplicity, practical Wis
dom, aud selt sacrificing independence. The
whole reading world knows and admircs him
the American statesman and orator whose moral
power and seli-devoting patriotism, more than
once, have saved his country from impending ruin.
And when like Washington he determined II
retire for ever from the theatre Of public action
where he had won many civic victories for hs
cosntry, and pluckcd many green aurels for bis
own head-whcn he resolved To exchange the toll,
and troubles of public life, for the reposc of re-
tircment, the vcrdant lawns the rowing herd, aud
domestic sweets of Ashland-whcn, for the last
time, he stood before the Senate, to make the
solemn announcement and take his everlasting
lcavc.--not an eye was dry-Rot one heart un-
moved and let his political opponents say what
they may. that parting scene was felt there, and
here. and every where, the separation of the
soul from the body. (Great Chccrns)
The measure of his fame Is now iul.-and II
pens for posterity.
Thus, while the infant kentucky has grown 10
II great and renowned State, and the small village
Of Lexington to a beautiful and classic city, their
adopted son has also risen to an cmncncc in the
judgement and esteem of enlightened men, which
bat few earth have vet attained, can ever
hope to reach; and now surviving almost all o;
those who witnessed his humble advent. lie rs.
poses. in health of body aud health of mind. on
the blooming honors OF political patriarch
And here We may all behold striking and bcau-
tliul cNcmpliicaiion Of the hopeful tendencies o
our llee and equal institutions. and OF the inest-
mablc value also of talents faithfully employed
aud rightly directed
Resisting the syrcn voice of vulgar ambition
ken,uckys adopted son faithfully served his coun.
try for that conniry's sake; and now. after steer
ing the constitution from the whirlpool oC Corsol
idat'on On the one side and the rocks Of Dissolu.
ton on the other, the Ulysses Of America ha, laid
aside h,s heavy amor. aud como home with ~
untarnishcd shield. lie want, no Homer to cx.
aggcra,c or embalm his deeds Already s,erco-