Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-02-25
RELAND-MR. CLAWS Speech.

ouching remarks made by HENRY CLAY at the
own meeting recently held in New Orleans, to de-
use measures for the relief of the suffering poor of
Ireland:
MIR. Clay having been invited by the committee |
oil arrangements to attend the meeting took his seat
near the Governor. An enthusiastic loud and APP |
parently unanimous cali for him was made by the |
audience, and slowly rising from his seat, he APP
preached tho foot of the platform and addressed the
meeting nearly as follows:
Mr.. President and Feo,c- Cdi.eas IL hesitated
TO accept the invitation which has brought me here;
being mere sojourner and not member of this
community, doubted the proprie,y Of my presence
and participation in the proceedings Of this meeting
and apprehended that my motive might he misun-
derstood But-on consulting my pillow, and CON
sidcring that the humanity of the object of this as
sembly is bounded by no latitude nor locality, and
ought to be co-eXtensive with the whole human
family--it seemed to me that all considerations of
fastidious delicacy and etiquette should be waived
and merged in generous and maguanmous effort
to contribute TO the relief of the suffernus which
have excited our feelings. Ii should be miscon-
ceived or misrepresented, the experience of long
lite has taught me, that the best response to mis-
conception and Misrepresentation is the fearless and
faithful discharge of duty, in all the conditions of
life In which we may be placed and the best an
swer TO traducton and caumny, is conscious recti-
fude and the appreciation of ones own heart.
Mr.. PresideRt-T we were to hear that large
numbers OF the lnnani.onts uc Asia, or Africa or
Australia, or the remotest part Of the globe, were
daily dying with hunger and famine-no matter
what their color what their religion. or what their
clvllization-we should deeply lament their condi-
ton, and be irresistably prompted, if possible. to
mitigate their suferings. But it is not the distress
es oil any such distant regions that have summoned
us together on this occasion.-Ihe appalling and
neart rendlng dlstresses of Ireland and Irishmen
form the object Of our present consultation.
>,hi oh ho,I ;,,, oil,
tudcs OF our national existence. our friend and has
ever extended to us her warmcst sympathy-thosc
irishmen, who, in every in which we have
been engaged, on every batte-f field from Quebec to
Monterey, have stood by us, shoulder to shoulder.
and shared in all the pcrls ard fortunes of the con-
flct The implorng appeal comes to us from the
Irish nation, which is SO Unidentified with our own.
as to be almost part and parcel of ours bone of our
bone and flesh OF our flesh. Nor is it any ordinary
case OF human misery, few isolated cases of
death by starvation that are called upon to con-
sider. Famine is stalking abroad throughout Ire
iand; whole towns, cUunties-cOuntless human be-
lngs, OF every age and OF both seXes-at this very
moment are starving, or in danger of starving to
death Tor breadi or all the forms of dissolution of
human life, the pangs and agony Of that which pro-
cceds from famine are the most dreadful IF one
dies hghting gorously for his country he is cheer
ed IN his expiring moments. by the patriotic nature
OF his sacrifice. He knows that his SURVIVING ro
iatlons and friends, while lamentinp their loss will
be gratliied and honorcd by his devotion to his
country. Poets, painters, sculptors. historians
Will record his deeds of valor and perpetuate his
renown. IL he dies by the sudden eyplosion of tho
boilers oil steamboat or by storm at sea- death is
quiet and easy, and soon performs it mission A
lew piercing shreks are uttered he sinks beneath
the surface, and all is still and silent But death
oy starvation comes slow. lingering and eycrucia
ing. From day to day the wretched victim feels
his flesh dwind!ing, his speech sinkno. his friends
m bp inolI
bic agony. Behold the wretched Irish mother
with iiaggard looks and streaming cycs.-bcr fam
lshed children cllngng to her tattered garments
and gazing piteously in her face bcroino for food
And see the distracted husband and father with
pallld checks, standing by. horror and despa;r de-
plcted In has countenance-tortured with the refrc-
ton that he afford no succor or relief to tho
dearest objects of his heart. about to be snatched
forever from him by the most cruel of all deaths
ms is no fancy picture; but. if we are TO credit
the terrible accounts, which reach us from that
theatre OF misery and wrechedness is one of daily
occurrence. Indeed no imagination can conceive
no tongue eXpress-no pencil paint-the horrors
OF the scenes which are there daily exhibited
Ireland, In respect to food. is differently situated
from all the countries of the world. Asia has her
abundant supply of rice Africa, her dates, vans.
and rice Europe, her bread of wheat rye and oats
America. double resource in the small Grains and
never failing supply of Indian corn--hat greatsu
porter OF animal lcfor which we are not half crate
ful enough to a bountiiul and merciful Providence
But the staple food Of large parts of poor Ireland is
the potato, and when it fails. pinchinr want and
famine follow 1t Is among the inscrutabe dispen-
sations of Providence, that the crop has been brbt
ed the last two years, and hence the privation of
food, and this appeal TO the sympathy of American
hearts Shall it be in vain? Shall starving Ire
land-the young and the oId-dyinr women and
children stretch cut their hands to MS for bread and
find no relief? viii not this great city, the
worlds storehouse OF eXhauStless suppIy of all
kinds OF food, borne to lis OVERLOOKING warehouses
oy the amer oil Waters, act on this occasion in
manner worthy of its high DESTINY and obey the
noble impulses Of the generous hearts of its blessed
inhabitants?
We are commanded, by the common Saviour Of
Ireland and OF us, 10 love another as ourselves
and on this, together with one higher oblipation
hang all the law and prophets of our holy relioion
we know, that of all the forms of humanity and
benevoence, none Is acceptable in the sight of
God than the practice of charity. Let us demon
srate our love. our duty, and our gratitude to Him.
by liberal contribution to the relief of His suffer
ing Irish children
Feiiow- citizens NO ordinary purpose has bro't
us together. This is political gathering If it
had been, you would not have seen me here. I
have not come here to make speech. When the
heart is full and agitatcd by its own feeling emo
TONS the paralyzed tongue finds uterance difficult
1t Is not iervld eoquence, not uilded words that
Ireland needs-bu substantial food. Let us rise IN
the magnitude of the duty which is before us. and
by generous supply from the magnitude of orr !
means evlnce the commences and cordiaIity OF our
sympathy and commiseration
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Clay's speech, one loud
and unanimous shout Of approval was raised, in
which officers and audience participated
e. 1t affords us pleasure to append to these re- /
maj .- fho lei ofofo