Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-05-11
FAYETTE MISSOURI, SATURDAY, MAY II, Is44.

with spectators, and the windows and bal.
comics Of the adjacent houses were crowded
and graced by the lovely daughters of the
city, who occasionally showered fowery
as well as similar welcome on the illus-
trious stranger. At intervals during the
progress, loud shouts of welcome filled the
air; and they were repeated over and over
again, with deafening effect, on the arrival
at the Theatre.
On reaching the Theatre, Mr.. Clay was
conducted into the interior Of the building,
where the ladies were already assembled
into their appointed seats, and into which
the accompanying crowd of citizens rushed
with eager anxiety, fearful of losing the
opportunity Gas we are sorry to say an
immense number didD of hearing the far
famed orator of the West. The spectacle
within the Theatre was a brilliant and
beautiful one--the stage was crowded with
the various Committees--the first and Sec
ond tiers of boxes were thronged with
ladies, and literally beamed with lowell
nashville the pit and gallery and lobbies,
were slowed full of citizens.
Mr.. Clay was received on the stage by
the committee of reception, the repeated
and enthusiastic cheers of the audience
hailing his appearance. When the joyous
uproar had subsidized, the venerable Dr. VIM.
READ, one of the surviving officers of the
revolution that yet linger among US to re-
ceive the homage of the present to the glo-
rious past, addressed Mr.. Clay, as follows:
HoNoREp SIR--A fond reverence for the
men Of the Revolution, my companions of
l775, who have almost left me solitary, has
moved my fellow citizens to confer upon
me the grateful privilege of welcoming a
worthy son Of America to our ancient
city. In the name of the living, bid you
hearty welcome-and / am sure that if
the great and good men who figured in the
Revolution, with whom l moved in con-
cert-the Middletons, the Gladdens, the
Lowndes, the Pickneys, the Rutledges, the
Hugers, and the gallant Marion, and Moul-
trie, Sumter and Hampton, could add their
voices to mine, they too, would bid you
welcome, as an honored son of the Repub-
lie, and an illustrious benefactor of the
now great nation, founded by their tolls.
Most worthy were these patriots of all the
love and veneration, which their positerity.
who have deputed me to speak TO you, bear
them-and it is as witness of their labors,
their pure love of country, their anxious
hopes and cares and prayers, for the per-
petuity of their great work. that for them
and their children. l would add to their
welcome grateful thanks for all the good
you have done US. | feel, with those who
have gone before me, and more deeply
than the youthful generation around me
can feel, the great debt we all owe you for
your patriotic labors in defence of the in
situations of the men of '76, and that union
which was their only hope for the pros
perity of their children. greet you, sir,
as most faithful son of such sires. You
have been ever true 10 their lessons, and
long life, spent in your country's service,
has exhibited constant devotion to law,
liberty, the Constitution and the Union.
You have been ever lover of your whole
country-and the gloomy days of the Mis-.
souri, agitation and the compromise, tell OF
that spirit of concession and mutual for
bearance, so earnestly commended to hi:
countrymen, in his farewell address, by the
Father of his Country.
This is the spirit--these are the services
on which an old man delights to dwell
and rejoice in the occasion which permits
the expression of my heartfelt thanks
Younger men would glory in celebrating
that eloquence which has reflected so much
honor onrepublican institutions, and graced
our legislative halls. And l could wish
that some one of the younger men, your
companions in the second war of indie
pendence--a Calhoun, Cheves, or your
friend, the lamented and beloved Lowndes
could have been here this day, to have
made proper acknowledgements to you, in
terms sufficiently glowing for the great anc
brilliant part you bore in that gallant con
fct for our country's honor. But thes'
are themes not for me.
It will not be out Of place, TO wish you
safe journey throughout your long tour, b,
land and by water, or to wish and hope to
"a prolongation of your valuable life; no
is it unreasonable to hope, when tell you
that the man who stands before you
shouldered his musket for the protection o
the first Congress. some years previous &c
the period that gave birth to the grea
, statesman address.
Again, fellow countryman, patriot, ant
, national benefactor, welcome, thrice wei
, come, to our hearts and our homes.
To this Mr.. Clay responded in speecl
! of thrilling eloquence and great ability
7 occupying near two hours in the delivery
{ and enthralling the attention of an inter
s ested and delighted auditory. The grea
. length of this speech and the variety an
; Importance of the subjects it discussed, for
!, bids US even the attempt toreport or sketc
: -. althauoh ua NAV glance AZ several q