The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-04-15
attrrtNd 81 FHN CLAY utUB

frluay evening, III honor bf Mr.. CtAY's birthday,
was one Of the most animated and cheering
scenes which the season has presented. The
vast hall was literally crowded to overfiowlng,
and hundreds went away for the want OF space
to stand upon. There could not have been less
than one thousand persons present. all Joyous and
buoyant OF heart rejoicing in the full tide OF sue
cess which has poured in from all quarters Of the
Union for the last few weeks. Every face was
wrea,hed in smiles, and every heart beat high
with confidence in the success of the noble cause
OF right principles and good administratlon-the
cause OF wise measures and honest men.
large delegation of our Alexandra brethren hon
ored us with their presence, and animated us with
the cheering tones of their voices. Their patrl-
otto songs, "Clear the track" and "Wake up,
WMgs," would have inspired enthusiasm in
stoc-that isto say, if he were Wing; and no.
thing, in our opinion, could be better calculated
to give the Locofocos sickening sense OF ap-
preaching defeat, than to witness the life and
spirit with which these Wing melodies are sung,
and the relish with which they are received. Mr..
Dutfield, with whose fine vocal powers the public
are acquainted, also favored the meeting with
Pierpolnts National Anthem, adapted to the occa-
sion, in which he was assisted by the ladies pre-
sent, besides two or three other songs, in his
most fecitious manner.
After the anthem, with which the regular or
der Of proceedings was opened, the Chairman in
troduced to the audience the Hon. CALEB B.
SMITH, of Indiana, who spoke at some length
upon the prospects of the Wings and other topics,
and by his happy illustrations and pquant re-
marks elected frequent bursts of applause. Mr.
S paid handsome and deserved tribute to the
ladies', large number of whom honored the meet
ing with their presesce, and enlivened it by thel
approving smiles-a fact, by the way, which, to
our everlasting disgrace, we omitted to chronicle
as the first and most important circumstance APP
pertaining to the occasion.
After Mr.. SMITH had concluded his remarks,
one of the cheering songs, to which we have re-
terred, was interposed, when Mr.. MoREHEAD the
able and gallant Senator from Kentucky, was
called up He expressed his warm sympathy in
the object of the meeting, but excused himself
from extending his remarks by alleging indspo
sition. He concluded by introducing Col. STARK
WEATHER, veteran Wing from New York, who
spoke for half an hour upon the several topics
which divide the public mind in relation to the
Presidential question, which he handled with the
ability of a ready and sklul debater. He inspired
redoubled confidence in every wing present by
the cheering accounts which he gave of the pros
poets of the cause in the West, the results of his
own observation in that quarter during recent
tour. Col. s. stated that he had been reared up
almost at Mr.. Van Buren's door, and was conse.
quently familiar with his whole political history
knew the bearings and distances of all his crooked
ways, and could demonstrate that he had ayowed
sentiments upon both sides of every question Of
public policy which had engaged the attention O,
the country since the commencement of his ca
reer. Col. s. showed up some of these instances
Of Mr.. V. BIS Inconsistencies with much bumor.
and produced shouts Of merriment and thundcrs
OF applause among the audience.
MIR. BARRINcER, of North Carolina, next rose, at
the request OF the Chair, seconded by numerous
calls from different quarters of the room. He
made but few remarks, in which he alluded
'0'y hdhuooilleIy W Tie occasion which had
sembled the meeting, and adverted to the fact
that the people of his own native State were then
assembled in mass convention at Raleigh to do
honor to the illustrious individual whose birth we
! had met to celebrate He gave the most cheer
ing assurances of the steady firmness with which
the Wings of North Carolina would be found
maintaining their principles at the approaching
| election. His remarks were received with the
warmest appreciation of the audience, which was
evnced by their repeated plaudts.
The meeting dissolved amid songs and cheers
and the most lively hopes of success
The following is the anthem to which we have
referred above:
- NATIONAL HYMN.
Our country! tits Of thee,
Dear land of LIBERTY!
Of thee we sing:
Land where our fathers died.
md &c he on,o