Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-04-06
MR.. CLAY's REPLY.

Mr.. LOOMS thank you and my fellow cit
lzens OF the two cities Of Pittsburgh and Alle-
gheny for the cordiality Of this welcome, and
the honor-Ihe unmeriIed houor--of this dis
tinguished reception Of pdyaJs citizen; and |
wish, sir, that | could borrow some OF that elo.
quence in which you have just addressed me, 10
express my great obligaaOns, and my profound
Acknowledgements Tor those proud aud gratifying
manifestations. They commend themselves To
the feelings Of my heart, 10 an extraordinary de.
/ gree, from the fact that Ihey are the voluntary
aud spontaneous outpourings Of all parties,
without distinction, Nor did |, until recently,
anticipate that my brief stopping in these cities,
on my return home, was TO be SIgnalized by any
such warm and enthusiastic Demonstrations
| have come here on no political errand--lor no
public purposo--wilh no prepared speech, nor
any arranged phrases. | have come TO meet
and exchange friendly salulalons with my lel-
low cllzens; and to visiI, perhaps, for the last
time, city endeared 10 mo by many early and
agreeable associations. Alasl how many of
my esIimable friends, whose generous hosplali-
! ty enjoyed, when | was in the habit, many
years ago, of cmbarking at this port, on my re-
turn home from Congress, arc now no more!--
And how greatly changed is the mode of trans
portaton since that period! Then, have Of.
ten purchased one of those arks or Kentucky
flat hoats, as they were called, divided and fued
up into separate apartments, Of stable, kitchen,
and parlOr; and, in that way, iloated my family
and myself down the channel Of this beautiful
| river.
! have come here to see fpredictions made
a long time ago, and hopes entertained, as 10
the growth and future greatness of this CITY,
have been accomplished. judging from the
countless multiludes which rendered the air with
shouts and cheers on my arrival, aud from the
portion the city which have seen, they have
been more than realized. And will now haz-
ard another prediction, that Pittsburgh, perhaps
in the life of persons now living will as far ex.
ceed the Birmingham Of England, to which it
is sometimes compared, as the u. States, in ex.
tent, in grandeur, in the natural elements ofpow-
er and greatness exceed the crcumscrbed limits
Of the Island of Great Britain. .
| may be pardoned for indulging here re-
mark OF political character, not offensive,
hope, 10 any of my fellow citizens, of whatever
party. The great purpose Of my public life,
which have kept constantly and steadily in
view, has been the preservation ofthe peace and
honor, and the advancement Of the prosperity
Of the counuy--the developement OF our vast
resources-upon the surface & within the bow.
els Of the earth--Ihe facilities of commercial
and social intercoursc--thc Improvement of our
rivers and harborS--and the establishment of
home manulaclures--of these objects | have
never lost sight. But am, unintentionally
transgressinga rule which laid down before
left home. hope shall be pardoned for this
only transgression.
But, MIR. Loomis, the latiguos, and exciting
incidents of the day, admonish me to stop
Will you, my dear sir, be my advocate and or
gan with the sister cities? For my voice can no
more reach the outskirts o(this assembage than
it could extend TO some oflhe great cities which
| have left behind me. Tell them how much
have been ilattered, honorod, delighted, by this
glorious reception. Tell them how greatly
appreciate that lberality which has prompted all
my fellow citizens here, without regard TO party,
to unite in this day S testimony. Tell them that
the manifestations Of their respect and kindness
have not been directed to an ungratefu heart
TeIE them, finally, thar shall, in my retirement
at Ashland, long cherish, in gratitude, and under
sense of the deepest obligations, the enthusi-
astlc demonstrations Of this memorable day.