Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-03-23
EVANSVILLE IND, THURSDAY MARCH %, 1913.

lnuhlouS idmc, uut W SidtIIy the people OF our
own city, and to respond to the wish unani.
mously expressed, that once again they might
be permitted to welcome as their guest the
statesman whom they honor and the citizen
whom they love. For had you consulted only
your own feelings, or the dictates of your own
judgement, you would have avoided the null
ttude which you are about to encounter Sir
we are an enthusiastic people, and while we
shall endeavor to consult your wishes so as to
render your visit pleasant and agreeable, vet
it would be too much for us to promise or YOU
to expect, that quiet and repose which we
know you desire and which three score years
and ten demand. As well might we under
take to lull the raging tempest, and say TO the
winds, BE still' as to control the excitement
OF our people when the Sage of Ashland treads
upon their soil and walks within their midst
But we can and do commend you to Him who
controls the destinies of nations to protect you
as in the hollow of his hand while absent from
your home, and again restore you to those do
nestle associations within the family circle
alas! SO recently reduced! In retrospecting up
on the past, or looking forward to the future,
you may realise the fact that, however situated,
whether upon the classic shores of Greece or
among the Republics of South America, wheth-
er pleading the cause of dismembered Poland,
or oppressed and unhappy ireland, the name of
Henry Clay will remain as monument of de-
voted patriotism from which we and our chill
dren may derive lessons of instruction worthy
OF the philanthropist and the scholar, the
statesman and the man! Again we welcome
you on board this noble steamer; the mayer
VIII 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: ae- -.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the Council
of NeaU York:
thank you most heartily for this interesting
occasion, and thank you, sir, for the sentiments
which you have done me the honor of expr SIS
ing. | wish that | could find language TO con-
vey to you the feeling and the gratitude with
which the very cordial and fattering manner
of this reception is received. But the truth is,
and might as we'll own it, that if ever had
any great talent at public speaking, elocution,
or eloquence, it cannot now be exerted and
for two reasons: one is that my heart is full,
and the other that am myself the subject
And if ever | have exerted any power of
eloquence it has not been for myself but for
my country. loud applause.)
You have correctly stated it, Mr.. President,
that this visit was not in accordance with my
own wishes. When left my own residence /
=
Purely private and professional busine SIS
brought me to Washington and Philadelphia,
whence hoped TO return without any further
manifestations on the pant of my fellow citi-
zens than the quiet expression of private re-
gard and OF personal attachment. But | was
met by different desire on the part of those
whose hearty wish | could not refuse, and
have found it impossible to confine myself to
the humble course | had marked out. And
when | recollected the many obligations which
| was under to your city, the pleasure | had
derived from former visits to it, and the gener-
Gus impulse which called me hither-When |
heard that party spirit was all laid aside and
sectional differences suspended, and above all
when was summoned by the authority of the
public council, | felt constrained not to reject
so warm aud courteous an invitation. The
cold and cautions suggestions of the head yield
ed to the natural impulse of the heart and
came.
But | cannot part with the committee who
have so kindly accompanied me from Phila del
phia without some attempt at an expression of
my thanks and gratitude, not only for the friend
ly anifestation 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 fortune and hap
piness to experience while ill that city. Sir,
the orator and organ of that committee has not
too glowingly and eloquently depicted the cir
cumstances attendant upon my reception In
the city of Brotherly Love. | have several
ii nes been there, and have received many to-
keps 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 many proofs of
generous and touching affection. 1t seemed
indeed as if the whole city had come forth to
| greet meas if all the houses had discharged
themselves into the streets to make toward
the visitor every possible manifestation of gem
erous hospitality, esteem, and regard. And
this, Sir, Was not from one party, but from all
parties-not from single sex, but from both
sexes-not from persons of one age, but from
all ages, and indeed. if | may be allowed to say
so, from persons of all colors, that | saw du-
ring my stay in the city. (Applause.)
Yes, gentlemen, carry back my warmest
thanks to the whole population of your city,
Tell them that feel intensely the countless
proofs which they have given me of their affec-
ton and esteem. Tell them there is no single
spot associated in my mind with friendship
more true, cordial, and whole-souled than
theirs; tell them that my sojurn of few days
among them constitutes an epoch, yes, and
the brightest, most cheering, and most glorious
epoch In my life. Tell them thai never
| WHilO NY uOult iStoiuo tuC pOWOl vi iCCllllS,
shall cease to be deeply grateful for all
their courtesy and kindness! loud applause
And now, Mr.. President, though i cannot
respond to your welcome in the terms of eIo-
quence, can at least clasp your hand and as
sure you how happy | am to be once more
among my fellow citizens of New York and to
meet those who are intrusted with the high du-
ty ofdirecting the destinies of SO great and i'm
portant city.
During the delivery of Mr.. Clays. speech,
the saloon deck yielded to the weight of the
crowd, and gave way some three inches, and
the alarm was given that it was breaking
through. Many persons, in consequence, re-
treated to the lower deck. Mr.. Clay, looking
around as if to see what was about to happen,
was assured by the captain of the boat that
there was no danger. 'Well," said he, Il like
always to know The ground l stand on. >
Through the whole trip he seemed in excellent
spirits and many genial sallies from his lips
were received with loud satisfaction by those
surrounding him.
After he had concluded speaking there was
general rush to take him by the hand.
The crowd in the steets and on the battery