The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-06

speech. He had intended only to supply an appar-
ent omission in the resolutions which had been
offered. lie alluded TO the fact Of no mention be-
| ing made OF Henry Clay IL is true he 10 not IN
power. lie has no Offices at his disposal But he
has grown old with the standard of the Wing party
in his grasp. Seventy three years Of hard service
have iurrowed his brow and enfeebled bis physical
frame, but his heart is as true as ever he Is ready
carry cut the spirit OF the resolutions offered TO-
night, as he always has been. MIR. Gibbons then
said that efforts we're making in certain quarters
to create ill feeling between Henry Clay and Gen.
Taylor, and il became the meeting TO frown down
all such attempts. Mr.. Gibbons then alluded to
Mr.. Clay's long service in the cause OF protection
lie planted the standard OF protection on the hills
of Pennsylvania; and had her people been faithful
TO il, her workingmen would have been better OIL
But they put their trust in bramble and fire
came out OF il and deyoured them.
After some further remarks the subject of the
tariff, Mr. G. offered the following resolutions
Resoiuad, That, while we tender to the President
OF the United States the of our undated
confidence in his devotion To the welfare OF the
people, we cannot withhold public expression OF
our continued regard and admiration for HENRY
CLAY, the patriot statesman, whose services to the
country we shall ever hold in grateful remem-
brance and whose recent efforts to perpetuate and
strengthen our glorious Union have rendered his
and his fame still more dear and illustrious
Resoiced, That the efforts that have been made
by anonymous letter writers and a lew newspaper
editors III various parts of the country to excite
feelings of dstrust and animosity between General
Taylor and Henry Clay, and thus create dissenson
and distraction in the ranks of the Wing party
meet with the unqualified and emphatic condem-
nation of the Wings of Philadelphia.
The reading OF these resolutions caused consid-
cradle applause and much tumult, amidst which
an effort was made to have the question put with
out debate.
WILLIAM b. REED, esq, however, presented
himself, and asked a hearing
There was an attempt to prevent this, but the
chairman, in a tone and manner which elected
loud applause, said that the meeting had done him
hal .,, Ia. nj he hail
had heart TO prompt him in discharging the du-
ties OF the office, and an arm to sustain him, he
would protect the right of free discussion, and
would put no question while any one in the meet
ing asked to be heard upon it. The great body of
the meeting received this demonstration warmly,
and Mr.. Reed readily listened to.
He said that it gave him great pain TO have 1t IN
timated that he had omitted TO do justice to Henry
Clay, whose friend and advocate he had always
been. In common with the Wings of Philadelphia
he had worked for him and tolcd for him for many,
many years; he had sustained hin through good
report and through evil reports and he was ready
and anxious now, and at all times, to give him a
cordial support Mr.. II. thought it was strange
that Mr.. Gibbons, who was present In committee
when the resolutions had been considered and
adopted, had not then suggested the addition he
now proposed Mr.. II. was perfectly ready to sus-
tain the first resolution 50 far il was intended as
IA testimonial TO Mr.. Clay's great services and
merits As to the second, he thought that it was in
bad taste TO couple anonymous letter writers with
Mr.. Clay and he hoped Mr.. Gibbons would with
draw that part of his resolution.
MIR. Reed said further, that he wished it TO be
distinctly understood, that if the first resolution
was intended to convey any appreciation OF Mr.
Clay's compromise, he opposed to it; and he
asked that il should be submitted to the meeting
with this explanation Of the construction which was
TO be put upon il.
A division of the resolutions then called for,
and the first adopted with very earnest and
enthusiastic expression in the affirmative, and
few dissenting voices Mr.. Gibbons then modified
the second by striking from IT anonymous letter
writers and newspaper cditors," and this was also
adopted.
Craig BIDDLE, esq. followed. He returned thanks
in behalf of his late colleagues Of the Legislature
for the tribute which had been paid to the Wing
members of that body. He also expatiated at some
length, and with great earnestness and eloquence,
on the firmness Of Gov. Johnston during the entire
session
MORTON McMIcHAEL, esq, being loudly called
for, appeared upon the stand. He said he had no
purpose of making speechit was too late for that
but he had been seen in the room, he did not
choose that any one should GO away with the i'm
preston that he could hesitate to appear when he
was called for. Mr. NJ. continued that he also was
a friend and admirer of Mr.. Clay; that he had al
ways been So and should always be so; that he had
been his friend when some of those who were now
so vociierous in his praise had been his worst and
most bitter enemies. But MIR. NJ. added, though
he admired, and esteemed, and loved MIR. Clay, he
could not blndly adhere 10 all his opinions; and in
reference TO the great question now agitating the
whole country, being satisfied that the plan pro-
posed by the President was the wisest and best
plan which bad been offered, and choosing to de-
clare his sentiments and act upon his own COM
siderations, lac avowed his preference for II, and
would maintain il freely, fearlessly, and without
right Mr.. M concluded with proposing three
cheers for Old lack, which were given with
hearty good wi and then, on motion, the meeting
adjourned.