The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-04-09
MR.. CLAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA.


The Columbia Chronicle of Wednesday last
contains the following notice of Mr.. CLAE's ar
rival and reception in Columbia:
Mr.. CLAY.-This distinguished gentleman, on
whom the hopes of the friends of freedom and
good government are centred, arrived in Colum-
hla on Monday evening last, attended by COM
mittee ofgentlemen from Augusta. The demon
STATIONS of regard and respect with which he was
received by our citizens on his arrival must have
been cheering to this venerable patriot. An i'm.
mense assemblage, Of all ranks and both sexes,
among whom the beauty and fashion of the town
shone conspicuous, had congregated at the rail-
road depot to welcome him, and on his quitting
the cars the multitude greeted him with shout
long and loud, which was received and acknoW-
lodged with that peculiar and nimitable grace
and dignity for which he is SO distinguished. He
was then conducted. amid the smiles Of the ladies'
and the waving of handkerchiefs, to Col. Pres
tons open barouche, and the cavalcade of equip
ages and horsemen escorted him to that gentle
mans residence. Yesterday he appropriated the
hours between II and to the reception Of Wis
itors at Mr.. Cark's hotel, where large number
of citizens and strangers crowded to see him. In
the evening his distinguished host threw open the
doors of his hospitabe mansion to the largest and
most brilliant assemblage ever witnessed in Co
lumbia, where all We'd with each other in paying
homage to the illustrous guest. To-day he Wis
its COL Wade Hampton, who also intends to give
large entertainment, and tomorrow he leaves
for Charleston.
eve regret exceedingly that his arrangements
and wishes induced him to decline the proffered
public hospitalities rendered him by our citizens
and that the precarious state of his lungs pre-
vented him from favoring us with speech But
we respect his motives for his polite refusal OF
the one, and regard his health too much to muir.
muir at the omission of the other. May peace
and happiness attend him on his journey, and may
grateful nation crown his eminent public SER
vices with the highest honers in the gift of free
people,"
The same paper contains letter from Mr.
CLAY, in reply to the invitation of the Richland
Clay Club, giving his reasons for declining any
honors having public or party character.
We copy the following letter from Mr.. CLAY
from the Charleston Courier of Thursday last:
"CoLUMBIA, S. c., April 8, 1874
"Dear Sir: | had fully intended to leave this
place for Charleston tomorrow evening" and hat
made my arrangements accordingly, but find
myself somewhat indisposed this morning, in con
sequence of cold taken during the progress o,
my journey, and which have from circumstances
too much neglected. | ain also informed that
portion of the religious community of Charleston
might feel wounded by public manifestations t.
which the occasion of my first visit to that city
may possibly give rise during week which re-
calls a recollection of memorials and solemn
events connected with our religion. In reference
to the feelings Of that portion of the community,
and under the hope Of obtaining relief from the
cold by which am suffering, have determined
TO postpone my departure for Charleston to Sat.
urday morning, which will enable me to arrive
there that evening; and, as this postponemeni
will deprive me of portion of the time this week
which had allotted to my soourn in that city,
have also concluded to remain in it till Tuesday
afternoon, when hope to obtain passage lc
Wilmington. I regret extremely if this change
in my movements should be productive of any
inconvenience, and shall feel very happy if the
motives by which am governed are fully appre-
ciated and acquiesced in.
II remain, dear sir,
"Your friend and obedent servant,
III. CLAY.
To Dr. F. Y. PoRcHER''