Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1846-12-03
Presentation of the Clay Vase.

The Lexington (ky) Observer OF the 18th
instant, contains an account of the presentation
to Mr.. Clay of the magnificent vase which had
been procured 10 be made by the ladies' of Ten
nessee, as a present for him. The Observer
describes the vase as having been wrought with
exquisite taste, under the direction of Messrs.
Gowdy & Peabody Of Nashville. 1t has on it
classic devices and inscriptions, suited 10 It's
subject, and admirably adapted as companion
10 the beautiful vase which had previously been
presented 10 Mr.. Clay by the Gold and Silver
Smiths of New-York DR.. McNairy dis,in-
guished citizen of Nashville, accompanied by
his son Henry, was charged by the ladies of
Tennessee with the office of presenting the
vase TO Mr. Clay This gentleman, desirous
to avoid any unnecessary public display, in the
delivery of The vase, invited some thirty gentle
men 10 dine with Dr. McNairy and witness the
ceremony. Just before going to dinner, DR..
McNairy rose and addressed Mr. Clay in an
appropriate and very eloquent speech. To
which Mr.. Clay replied as follows:
DR.. McNAIRY: 1t is no ordinary occurrence
nor any common mission that honors me with
your presence. To be depued as you have
been, by large circle of Tennessee ladies' to
bear the hatiering sentiments toward me, which
you have just so eloquently expressed, and to
deliver to me the precious testimonial of their
inesimabe respect and regard, which you have
brought, is proud incident in my life, ever to
be remembered with feelings of profound grali
,ude and delight.
My obligation to those ladies is no, the less,
for the high opinion of me, which they do me
conscious that owe it more to their generous
partiality than 10 any merits possess, or TO the
value of any public services which have been
able to render.
If, indeed, their kind wishes in relation TO
the issue of the last Presidential election had
been gratifed, haveano doubt that we should
have avoided some of those public measures, so
pregnant with the evils TO our country, 10 which
you have adyered We should have preserv-
ed, undislurbed, and without any hazard, peace
with all the world, have had no unhappy war
with neighboring sister Republic, and conse
quently no deplorable waste of human life, of
which that which has been sacrificed, or i'm.
paired in an insalubrious climate, is far greater
and more lamentable than what has been lost
in the glorious achievements of brave army,
commanded by skillfu and gallant General.
We should have saved the millions of treas
ure which that unnecessary war has and will
cost-an immense amount sufficient TO i'm
prove every useful harbor on the lakes, on the
ocean. on the Gulf of Mexico and in the inie-
rlor, and 10 remove distractions 10 navigation
in all The great rivers in The United States.
We should not have subvered patriotic
system of Domestic Protection, fostering the
industry of our own country. the great benefits
oil which have been practically demonstrated by
alien policy of free trade, fostering The industry
of Foreign people and the interests of Foreign
Countries, which has brought, in its train, dis
as,er and ruin 10 every Nauon that has had the
iemeriiy 10 try ii. The beneficial Tariff OF
l842. which raised both the People and the
Government of The United States out oil con-
diiiun of distress and embarrassment bordering
on bankruptcy, 10 a stale of high financial and