Litchfield enquirer., 1846-12-03
PRESENTATION OF THE CLAY VASE.

INST contains an account Of the presentation 4
Mr.. Clay Of the magnificent vase which hat
been procured to be made by the ladies of Ten
nessco, as present Tor him. The Observer de
scribes the vase as having been wrought witt
exquisite taste, under the direction of Messrs
Gowdy & Peabody Of Nashville. 1t has on il
classic devises and inscriptions, suited to lis
SUBJECT, and admirably adapted as companion
I" The beautiful vase which had previously
been presented to Mr.. Clay by the Gold and
Silver Smiths Of New York. Dr. McNairy, a
distinguished citizen OF Nashville, accountant
ed by his son Henry, was charged BY the ladies'
OF Tennessee with the office Of presenting the
vase to Mr.. Clay. This gentleman, DESTROYS to
avoid any unnecessary public display, in the
delivery Of the vase, invited some thirty gen.
Ilcmen to dine with DR.. McNairy and witness
the ceremony. Just before going to dinner DIR
McNairy rose and addressed MIR. Clay in an APP.
pIopriate and very eloquent specific which
Mr.. Clay replied as follows:
DR.. McNArRY: 1t is no ordinary occurrence.
nor any common mission, that honors me BY
your presence. To he depute0, as YOU have
been, by large circle Of Tennessee ladies 10
bear the fattering sentiments towards me,
which you have inst 10 eloqucntly ex pressed,
and tc deliver to me the precious testimonial
OF their inestimable respespect and regard,
which you have brought, is proud incident in
my life, ever to be remembered with feelings
OF profound gratitude and delight.
My obligation TO those ladies is not the less
for the high opinion Of me. which they do me
the honor to entertain, because I feel entirely
conscious that owe il more to their generous
nartlal:ty than to any merits possess. or to
the value Of any public services which have
been able to render.
II. indeed. their kind wishes in relation to
ha a.>f No lank "a - -
been giatified, have no doubt we should have
avoided some Of those public measures, so
pregnant with the evils to our country.to which
you have adverted. We should have preserved
und'sur5ed, and without any hazard, peace
with all the world. have had no unhappy war
with neighboring sister Republic, and conse-
quentlv, no deplorable waste OF human life, Of
which that which has been sacrificed, or i'm
paired in an insaluhrous climate, is far greater
and more lamenable than what has been los
IN the glorious achievements of a brave army.
commanded by skilllul and gallant General
We should have saved the millions of treas.
ure which that unnecessary war has and will
cost-an immense amount-sutficient to i'm
prove every useful harbor on the lakes, on the
ocean, on the Gulf of Mexico and in the Int.
| rior, and to remove distractions to navigation
| IN all the great rivers in the United States
We should not have subverted patriotic
system of Domestic Protection, fostering the
industry OF our own people and tie interests OF
our own country. the great benefits ef which
have been practically demonstrated nv ex peri.
ence. tor the visionary promises Of an alien poll
cy Of free trade, fostering the industry Of foreign
people and the interests Of Foreign Countries,
which has brought, in its train, disaster and
RUIN 10 every nation that has had the ieineritv
to try it. The beneficial Tariff of 1912. which
kNll, k.. q l. r.
the United States out Of a condition Of distress
aud embarrassment, bordering on bankruptcy,
| to a state Of high financial and general prosper.
| ty, would now be standing IN the statute book =,
instead Of the fatal Tariff Of 1916. whose ca.
amitons effects will, I apprehend, sooner or
later, be certainly realized
| All this. and more Of what has since occurred
in the Public Councils, was foretold prior to
that election. II was denied, dsbelieved, or
unheeded; and we nov realize the unfortunate
consequences. But both philosophy and pat.
riotism cnjoin, that we should not indulge in
unavailing regrets as to the incurable past. As
part Of history in which il is embodied, we
may derive from il instructive lessons for our
future guidance. and we ought to redouble our
exertions to prevent their being unproGtably
| lost.
receive, with the greatest pleasure, the
| splendid and magnificent vase Of silver, which
| the Ladies Of Tennessee. whom you represent,
| have charged you to present to me. Wrought
by American artists, rendered by my fair coun.
trywomen, and brought to me by an ever faith.
| full, ardent and distinguished friend, it comes
with triple title to my grateful acceptance. !
request you 70 convey to those ladies respectful
and cordial assurances Of my warm and heart.
felt thanks and acknowledged Tell them
| will carefully preserve, during life, ard trans
| i
| ton Of their signal and generous manifestation
Of attachment and confidence. And tell them
| also, that my iervent prayers shall DO offered
up for their happiness and prosperity, and shall
be united with theirs, that they may live 10 be-
| hold our country emerged from the dark clouds
which encompass it, and once more. as in bet.
ter times, standing out. bright and cheering
example, the moral and political model and
guide, the hope and tho admiration Of the Ma.
tons Of the Earth.
should entirely fail. DR.. McNairy, on this
interesting occasion. to give utterance 10 my
feelings, If die not eagerly seize it. to express
tc you, my coed friend. my great obligations for
the faithful and uninterrupted friendship
which, in prosperous and adverse fortune, and
amid all the vicissitudes Of my chequered lite
YOU have constantly, Zealously and fearlessl,
displayed. May you yet long live. in health
happiness and prosperity. and enjoy the cholc
est blessings Of mercilnl and bOuDtiful Prov
idence.
The Observer says:-After these addresses
the company adjourned from the drawing to th'
dining room. where q most snmptuous sn'
bountiful dinner was served up, in the hes
Kentucky style. to delighted guests, among
whom were, besides the distinguished guests
from Tennessee, Mr. Crittenden, Gov. Leicher
Capt. Russell. and Maj. Stevenson Of Frankfort
the Baron Bulow and Capt. Brauns Of Germany
Judge Arnold Of Canada. Mr.. Middleton Of Va
and about twenty other gentlemen from Lex
ingion. :,
Alter the desert was removed. some allusioI
as made to the recent Wing victories, ant
Mr. Clay remarked that, although il was no
Gus, omsry at his table 10 drink toasts, he woul'
on this occasion, so far deviaie as TO propos
one, and requested gentlemen 10 fill their glass
es. Several Of Them appearing TO anticipsi
that il would relate TO those victories, he said
stop, stop. gentlemen, ! must propt sc one.
possible, still nearer my heart; propose ''Th
Ladies of Tennessee" II was drunk with tn
greatest enthusiasm And. after a suitabl
pause. Mr.. Clay observed: Now. gentlemen.
will offer another sentiment which hope vii
he a0T ooahla IA von GS The recent SIGNAL tTi