The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-04-15
MR.. CLAY IN CHARLESTON.


Below we give the speech of the venerable
Revolutionary officer and soldier, welcoming Mr.
Clay to the ancient and hospitable city of Charles
ton. No one can help admring it for its sim
plicity and pathos. To be commended as 9. an
honored son of the Republic"-to be welcomed
with sgra,eful thanks for all the good he had
done''-to be reminded of g the great debt we
all owe you Mr.. Clay] for your patriotic labors
in defence Of the institutions Of the men of rs,
and that Union which was their only hope for
the prosperity OF their children"-to be greeted
Gas a most faithful son of such sires'-to be
pronounced a noble lover of your his] achole
country''-and by such man as the venerable
DR. Reed, himself one of the noble spirits of 70
is an honor and satisfaction that may well
compensate for life of labor in the public SER
vice, and even for that calumny and those foul
and malicious ISLANDERS which have been and are
still heaped upon the great statesman Of the
West--the great statesman and patriot of
America.
The reception Of Mr.. Clay at Charleston was
worthy Of a city, as celebrated for its hospitality
as it is for the intelligence, refined manners,
noble courtesy, and lberality Of sentiment of its
citizens. What can we say more? In honor
ing, as they did, such man as MIR. Clay-the
statesman of the age-the citizens of Charleston
did honor to themselves and the State to which
they belong. Doubtless there were many among
those who were foremost in paying due respect
to Mr.. Clay, who were politically opposed to
him; but they could, nevertheless, appreciate
and acknowledge his eminent public services,
his lofty patriotism, and his lranscendant abili-
ties and, in doing SO, showed that they belonged
not to the groveling crew who can see no merit
in an opponent, and who, like those afflicted
with diseased optics, are PANIED by looking upon
brilliant objects.
Wherever Mr.. Clay has been, in his present
journey, to use his own language in every city,
town, village, hamlet, and cross road, he has
been generously and Hospitality welcomed, with
out distinction of party. The people have man
ifested a profound regard, love and enthusiasm
for him, which they have shown for no individ-
ual since the good Lafayette made his tour
through the country, twenty years ago.
We have seen gentleman who was at
Charleston and witnessed the reception of Mr..
Clay, who states that it was the most animating
and beautiful sight he ever beheld The long
cortege, OF carriages and citizens on horseback,
the richly decorated arches, the windows, baco-
MES, and doors, filled with ladies waving their
pocket handkerchiefs, and with countenances
beaming with beauty and smiles of appreciation.
the enthusiasm that prevailed, and which was
communicated from bosom to bosom, all these
circumstances combined to make the scene one
of the most thrilling that could be imagined
When and where was Mr.. Van Buren, ever re-
celved by the people with such a welcome
When and where has even his own partisans
ever been able to get up the least demonstration
OF enthusiasm for him? When and where has
he ever been able to touch single chord of the
human heart that caused it to vbrate with
emotion When and where has there ever
been manifestation of love and respect for him .
When and where have the ladies ever waived
their handkerchiefs to welcome him, or beamed
upon him their approving smiles2 We pause
for reply. Let his pardsans-for friends he
has nope-answer