The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-03-16

ran People Tor one OF tnclr HoplVSo "i" -'|
honored sons. 1t is therefore, IN Ihe since''-
ty of our hearts, that we anticipate WIN pea,
sure the opportunity which you have afforded
us of presenting to our constituents one Mho'.'
all will delight to honor, who IN the ch'huS''
assn of their feelings will hail with pleasure
that hour when you shall have become lhei'
welcomed and their honored guest and they
shall have seen the person ana heaia INT
voice of him who for so many years has been
associated in their rccollections with the dark
est and brightest days OF our country history
For whether at foreign courts, IN the dones-
tic cabinet. or in the halls OF legislation, your
services will ever be appreciated by CRATE
ful and confding people, and when this age
with all its partialities and preludlccs shall
have passed away aud the future historian
shall sketch faithful picture of the past, your
name will appear in bold relief among Its
noblest and purest sons
We the more fully appreciate this ylsn
Sir, because We know that you have yleided
to our invitation, not to crafty any ambition
Of YOUR own. or to build up or establish pres
ent or posthumous fame but to CRAFTY the
neopIe of our own city, and to respond 10 the
wish unanimously expressed, that once again
onest the statesman whom they honor and the
citizen whom they love. For had you con-
suited only your own feelings, or the dictates
of your judgment, you would have avoided
the multitude which you are about to encoun-
ter. Sir, we are an enthusiastic people, ana
While we shall endcavor to consult your
wishes so as render your visit pleasant and
agree able, vet it would be too mnch for us to
prom Sc or you to expect, that quiet and re-
nose which we know you desire and which
three score years and ten demand AS we'll
MIGHT we undertake 10 lull the raging tenn
nest, and say to the winds, Be still = as to
control the excitement of our people when
tn. Sare Of Ashland treads upon their soil
and walks within their midst. But we can
and do commend you to Him who controls
hc desinies of nations, to protect you as IN
the hollow Of His hand while absent frop
YOUR home, and again restore you to those
domestic, associations within the family circle
alas, so recently reduced In retrospect
ing upon the past, or looking forward to the
future, YOU NAV realize the fact that however
situated, whether upon the classic shores OF
Greece or among the Republics OF South
America, whether pleading the cause of dis
nembered Poland, or oppressed and unhap-
| nv Ireland. the name of HENRY CLAY will
remain as a monument of devoted patriotism,
from which we and our children may derive
lessen; of instruction worthy of the philan-
rhropist and the scholar, the statesman and
the man Again we welcome you on board
This noble steamer; the Mayor will respond
TO it upon our arrival, and all the people will
Join in one harmonious shout OF " " Welcome
welcome to our homes !"
When President Franklin had concluded
Mr.. Clay replied as follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the Council
of New- York;
thank YOU most heartily for this interest
inc oc ra>on, and thank you, Sir, for the sen
iHents which YOU have done me the honor
@ expressing. | wish that could find Ian
guage to convey to you the feeling and graft
tude with which the very cordial and llatter
ing manner Of this reception is received
But the truth is, and I might az well own it
, that if | ever had any great talent at public
speaking, clocuion or eloquence, it canno
| now be cxerted, and for two reasons: one i
that my heart is full, and the other that | an
myself the subject. And if ever / have eX
ertcd any power of eloquence it has not beer
for myself but for my country. Cloud ap
pIause)
You have correctly stated it, Mr.. President
that this visit was not in accordance with IN,
own wishes. When left my own residence
was anxious to avoid all public ceremony
Purely private and professional buslnrs
brought ne to Washington and Philadelphia
, whence hoped to return without any farthe
manifestations on the part Of my telow-citi
zens than the quiet expression OF private re
gard and of personal attachment. But wa
met by different de ire on the part of those
whose hearty wish could not refuse, and
have found it impossible to confne myself tC
the humble course / had marked out AND
when | recolected the many obligations which
was IN Ter to your City, the pleasure | hac
derived from former visits to it, and the gen
e Gus npulse which called me hither; when
| henrl thnt party spirit WAS all laid aside
AMI sectional differences suspended, and above
all when WAS summoned by the authority Of
the public Council, felt constrained not tc
reject so warm and courteous an Invlta' n
The cold and cautious Suggestions of the head
Welded to the natural impulse Of the heart
and came.
hope, Sir, to have frequent opportunities
Of meeting with yourself and your associates
during my short visit in your City.
But cannot part with the Committee who
have so kindly accompanied me from Phila-
dephia without some attempt at an expires
sion of my thanks and gratitude, not only for
the friendly manifestation which we have
Just heard from their Chairman, and for their
DISCHARGE of The generous Office which is now
concluded, but for all that it has been my for
tune and happiness to experience while in
that city. Sir, the orator and organ OF that
Committee has not too glowing and eloquent
" depicted the circumstances attendant upon
NV reception in the City of Brotherly Love
have several times been there, and hrye re-
cciyed many tokens of friendship, confidence
and fidelity at the hands of the people. But
never was | so welcomed as on this occasion.
Never did | receive from any community SO
,,,,DoCS nf TnnnrDng and tnuphIDu Nf1nC-