The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-10-21
Dayton. Ohis.
Correspondence Of the Herald-1
s.sSa DAYTON, Ohio, Oct. Z, l842.


Dayton. Ohis. -
~ Correspondence Of the Herald
.~-~s .I sssSa DAYTON, Ohio, Oct. 4, l842.
Eliminated and Spirit auringi Description Of the
Grand Barbecue gipen TO Henry Clay, in Dayton,
Ohio. .
Knowing that you chiefly rely upon your own
correspondents for information concerning impor.
tant occurrences, that take place throughout the
various parts Of our country, therefore take the
liberty of addressing you the subject of our late
convention, than which greater was never held In
the western country. | address you somewhat he
sitatinsly, for ii you are as good Tyler man
as some of your friends here would have it,
it is very possible that my labor may be lost, in
writing to you upon the subject of Clay conven.
ton. But will trust It TO your independence, and
if you are afraid to publish The communication, you
are at perfect liberty to suppress it.
The Ddytonians well and Justly established their
reputation tor doing up conventions IN little
better style than usual, from the manner In which
the great convention held here in lSaO was conduct
ed ALI who were here upon that occasion, ''looked
upon" Gas they then said he largest collection OF
people they ever saw, or ever expected tc see to.
ge,her until the final judging Of all the EARTH"
until l1lhtEs OBI a aaa t ESQ
" That great day in which the worlds around,
Emptied, send forth their whole inhabitants"
And they not mistaken; those Of them at least,
who have since died, or those who were prevented
from being here on the 18th ut but all who had the
happiness OF being here upon both occasions, will
forget the numbers thIt he in 40, and lose them
In the crowd OF AZ, and we believe that no other
town in the west could have done so well, or in the
language OF Ex-Governor Metcalte, OF Kentucky.
. none but Dayton could beat Dayton" The re-
mark was undoubtedly true, tor where will you find
town upon the whole earth so well adapted TO such
purpose, situated, ii is, in OF the most fertile
llpys nt vpare a q III
sive plain, with streets from hty 10 egnty teet wlde
and approachable from all sides by the most beaut
full roads-how can II be possibly improved!
Our expectations were great, and we have not
been disappointed. For weeks previous our city
was in aperiect state OF excitement, which waxed
stronger and stronger, rs each successive day
brought the 18th the nearer. We held meetings. we
passed resolutions, we appointed committees, and
all the ct cetera' that necessary antccedent
TO such tine. So early as on the 10Th, flags OF
various descriptions and devices were seen waving
in gentle folds over many OF our house-tops, which
thickened and thickened each successive day, until
from the surrounding hills overlooking the city, II
appeared as one vast fleet, with pennant tutering
from every mast. These flags, steamers, ensigas,
or Whatever you may call them, were the indica-
tons that the " latch string" OF the house over
which they waved was not pulled In, but that there
our guests might find free ingress and egress, a
bounlitul table, and bed of straw. That there, In
deed, tor the time being, they might lind home
"Oh! wnat a jolly town for hard working men,
BY Tuesday evening our hotels were filled to
OVERLOOKING, and on Wednesday people f1ocked m
by thousands, somewhat in the manner in which
Audubon describes wild pigeons going, to their
roosts, in such quantities that you could not see
the end OF them.". Now, had our " committee OF
arrangements" their hands FULL. In assigning places
TO persons where they could stay. BY very judi
cious movement some days before, they appointed
twenty or more young men, most OF whom were
under twenty-one, but all good wings, 'dyed in
the wool" as distributing marshas: When places
were assigned to persons arriving, by the commit
tee, they delivered over to the charge OF these
young marshals, who conducted them TO the places
appointed. They were well mounted, sported u
green sash, and hourshed large stuck. Much Gre
dit did they gain, aud much deserve, from the man
ner in which they performed their duty. Each wed
with the Others In performing his part the mosl
| promptly. Such indeed was their eagerness, thai
they did not always consult the convene nee OF thei
| charge. /" Look al that youngstsr, mounted or
that fine bay mare; see him dashing through the
him upon hall rum" But did you hear what thai be
fellow OF the party said TO his conlradesF Pantins
for breath, he sung out whew! whew! this Is d-
tall waking, bu! keep your eye on our iusleman,
and push ahead" Thus they came during almost
the whole Of Wednesday might, and the morning
dawned ON Thursday upon thousands who were
still on their way to the great convention. 20 Ell
The lion that was to be exhibited had not yet
rived, Mr.. Clay had not come. A delegation had
gone out some miles TO meet him, and he was ex
pected about O'Clock, but at O'Clock news came
that he was entering town, and the loud huzzas
with which the welkin rang proclaimed the truth Of
the report He rode at the head of the procession
in an open carriage, with Governor Corwln at his
his side. On each side OF the carriage, with
firm pace, and slow" marched military compa
ny. Upon his arrival in town he was met, and
greeted by hundred little girls dressed in white,
with song, composed tor the occasion. As he en-
tered the crowded streets he barred his head and
bowed and smiled on every side, while one contin-
uedpeal Of loud huzzas marked his progress The
r. L.. L..
many cambria handkerchief had holes In it that
were not there the day before, and the house tops
along the streets through which he passed vomite
forth their hundreds. ler ss.
In his train--but how shall describe in What
was therel What was not there1 Was il a train
OF splendid carriages, adorned with all the orna-
ments OF rich luxurious, and aristocratic people
welcoming with a triumph some mighty coDquerer'
Did none but the silksocking gentry move in those
rankswas the mechanic, the farmer, orthe laborns
man, excluded being too poor, too humbie too low
10 follow after such aristocrat as Henry Clay1
We think not, but let US see, what comes here y
isno gded carriage bearing it's coat OF arms, and
drawn by prancing steeds. Those men upon it
seem at work, the crowd around has no charm for
them. All! now see, they are shoemakers, with
their lapstone, their hammers and their avis busily
at work, see how af'i - 2i.il ~
They crimp. and cut and last, and stitch, ~
And ball and ball away" as s4 8da 81
Let them pass on, they are worthy fellows. What
beautiful little building is that coming along yon-
der, drawn by six horsesl 1t is built after the mo-
del of one OF the Grecian temples,-here it is, let
us read its inscription: A Temple built in honor
Of Henry Clay by the joiners Of Dayton" There
too comes spinning machine, hard at work, wind
ing and reeling.. There too YOU may zee beauti-
full girl with her distaf in her hand, meriy singing
while her foot is well piled to keep her wheel in
tion-(this by the way, was an article that has be-
come almost obsolete, and but few Of our ladies'
know its name) Here comes smith shop hear
how their sledge hammers ring upon the anvili in
addition to these, were the aors, the potters, the
curriers', the sadders the weavers, together with
number Of other kinds of mechanics, all bueily at
work at their varions trades Bur amidst all this in
dustry is the farmer the countryman, a mere idle
spectators No, look at yonder establishment,
drawn by stout Conncstoga team; see those men
upon it, how busily they engaged in dressing fax
in all It's branches and there too, comes regular
fhreshin0 Aoor look at fh1ac men on top throwing