Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-01-26
Mr.. CLAY.

TO that city. The Hon. Henry Middle
ton occupied the Chair. and explained
briefly the object Of the meeting.
George S. Bryan, Esq. then addressed
the meeting, in brief and pertinent re.
marks, and 10 conclusion offered the FOL.
loving resolutions
Resolved, That whether we regard Mr..
Clay as the statesman and author Of great
public measures, which have universally
been considered national blessings, and
have won the appreciation and gratitude
of his irlow citizens, without respect to
party or section; whether we view him
as the patriot who, IN ever memorable &C.
casions, has set an example Of dsinierest.
ed zeal, and taught party itself to submit
TO the elevated law Of single minded duty;
or whether we behoi ia him the great
orator, whose eloqueuce has quickened
and refined national sentiment, conferred
dignity and glory on our legislative hills,
and contributed to maintain our equal
rank with the master States Of modern
tlmes--in whatever light we may regard
him, we mus, esteem him one of the few,
whose gifts, services and character should
command for him the gratitude, admira.
ton, and affec,ionate considerations Of all
his fellow countrymen. Governed by
these sentiments, we have heard with
lively satisfaction tina, it may be in our
power TO greet him in person as a nation
al beneiactor.
Therefore, resolred, That TO this end,
the Chairman OF this meeting shall APP
point committee Of twenty six, TO invite
Mr.. Cisy to this City on his progress
northward, and to tender him the alten.
tons SO eminenily due to one whosa life
has been spent 10 the service Of his coun
try.
The Courier says that James l.. Pe,i.
CRU, Esq. rose to second the resolutions,
and chained the attention Of the meeting
by strain Of remarks Of singular elo.
quence, force and beauty. lie was rre-
quently interrupted by enthusiastic bursts
of applause, as with rapid and mosterly
hand he sheiched some Of the promi1en,
TEXTURES in the life OF HENaY CLAY:
In seconding the resolution Mr.. Petit
CRU hoped that it would meet the unani.
nous support Of the meetng-not only
SO, but he entertained strong persuasion
that il would receive hearty concur.
renee OF our fellow. citizens. irrespective
Of party. Could ii be possible that the
liberal and hosptable citlZens Of Charles
n, ha1 rino .,Fs
distinguished OF our eye and country p
Was there among US man whe had not
herd of Henry Clay1 There aust be
many who would moi choose TO forget the
year lSl3. When with surprising eio.
quence he pleaded the cause Of the kmeri
can tor in the Houe of Representatives,
his passionate and powerful appeal Ia
their feelings. against the wrongs Of the
impressed and captive SEMINAR, was an.
swered by the tears and sobs oi the audi
tory around him. And when the burning
words, in which ne invoked the country
to embrace the defence Of the oppressed
with all the risks Of war, were waited hy
the press from sea to sea, is it not fresh
in the rrco'lections Of all who par,ook in
those events, or have :rnd the story OF
those days, that when his call was heard,
surnmoninG HIS coantrymen To the path of
danger aGd of honor, It was answered BY
u universal burst Of popular feeling. In
That day the trumpe. Tongue Of Henry
Clay was worth thousand swords.
To him who had been so instrumental
in rouslng his countrymen TO the defence
Of national honor, was afterwards com.
m,tted with olner able men the difficult
task Of pactice,ion; and with what zeal
he Dedicated his abilities to ,h- coBsumma.
ton Of an honorable peace, is fresh IN the
memory of all who retain recollection
Of those times.
From that day to the present, Who has
earned or received in a higher degree, the
applause Of his country for unweared de-
vution to the honor OF lie American
name = Could It DO necessary TO recall
the disastrous times, when the Missouri
question threatened to in, olive the Repub.
lie in civil strife, and TO plunge tire fair
fabric of this social edifce erected on the
broad basis of the native rights aud Dig
nifty of man in the waves oC anarchy
Did not all true and loyal hearts, the sim
cere disciples of law, liberty and order,
then unite in awarding to him more than
the civic wreath! Not merely the re
ward so justly due to him who rescues
couEtryman from impending late, but the
higher, the iDestimable reward, reserved
for him who has saved the city itself.
Nor would he pass over The days so
dark and lowering in our atmosphere,
when the civil power Of the State was in
imminent collision with the Federal arm.
What man, alive to the smallest spark of
feeling for his country, or his race, bui
must have ielt The deepest anxiety at the
contemplation, nay the probable opening
of career Of revolutionary horrors
The iron hand Of the great chieitain, who
on the plain of Louisiana had erected an
mperisha5le monument Of his renown,
was uplifted over the heads of d majority
of the citizens of South Carolina. IN
such struggle how disastrous was vic.
tory--how appalling the consequences OF
defeat on either side. The constitution
must have persisted in the conflict. A.
gain the same great man, with command
ing intellectual power, and a heart devot.
ed to his country, appeared as the pacif-