The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-10
To this address Mr.. CLAY thus responded:

To this address Mr.. CLAY thus responded:
| GESTLrMks: This IL among the most interest
ing and gratifying days of my life, although |
have been confined TO thcse rooms for long time
! by tedious and doubtful istncss You have come
here, the representatives OF large and cnligbt-
ened body Of ardent and devoted friends of mine in
the city of New York, 10 present TO me beautiful
and costly gold medal intended 10 commemorate
| my public life On ono face of IL is engraved all
the great public measures adopted in the National
Councils in which wos supposed 10 have had any
oonspio nous agcncyj and on the other a remark
able and accurate likeness of me. The time and
the place Of presentation, and the fcnds who have
contributed this splendid testimonial give TO IL
inestimabc value. The time 10 when am about
to retire forever from public life, and when can
not expect much longer TO lnger here below;
the place ia the city Of Washington, the prin.
cipol theatre Of those public services which have
commended themselves to your appreciation
Throughout my public life have been blessed,
everywhere in the United States with more
or fewer true friends 10 whom am bound by the
strongest sentiments Of gratitude. but nowhere
have they surpassed hose in the city Of New York
in zeal constsncy, and fidelity, and in distn-
Cui,bcd and various demonstrations of their aIec
| ton and attachment Whilst one is in the ardent
pursuit Of public life, and 10 held up FOR its highest
honors, IL ia not practicable always To discrimi-
nate, among HE supporters, between those who
bcstow their suflrsges from pure, patriotic, aud
disintercstcd motives and those who arc actuatcd
| by selfish ends; bot this occasion such diff
Guilty exists. You have come. at much personal
| inconvenience, TO the bed Of sick and afflicted
friend 10 present to him, In your names and in the
name ola numerous body OF bic personal and po-
| litcal fricnds whom you represent, a most pre-
cious token OF your esteem and pfTcctouaic regard
That friend has not now, and never will have any
public patronage 10 dispense. The high and hon
orabc aud disntcrestcd character Of your motiy es
sannot, therefore, be questioned.
Gentlemen, request you TO accept yourselves,
and to communicate to my absent friend, whom
you represent, my cordial and heartfelt thanks.
and my grateful and profound dgmcnts
for this rich tribute 70 tho sentiments which they
do me the honor 10 entertain towards me. should
have been roosi happy to have expressed my great
obligations to all ofthcm personally, II it had been
in my power
| shall coon pass from the jurisdiction Of my con.
tcmporaries and Of the present generation TO that
Of history and posicrity, II the ono shall deem me
| -v'tby 90 ~-y -~.~-d hs rsr-- ~ TRADITION
shall transmit any recollection of me 90 the other
II IL not within my legitimate province 10 express
any opinion my own public career or public
dccds. That office belongs to them, and shall
consider my future fame fortunate If it shall DO re-
| gardod 10y them with small portion OF the favor
With which tho partially Of yourselves and your
nssocistes now contemplate IL.
| shall soon appear before higher and more holy
tribunal than any earthly one, which can unerring.
| ly Judge Of the motives we'll as the scts Of man.
| To that tribunal look forward, with oompo.ure
\ aud confidence, that shall be acquitted Of having
ever been prompted, in the discharge Of my public
duties, by any mean sodid or selfish ends, or
been animated by any other purpose than 20 pro-
mote the honor, the prosperity, and glory Of our
common country.
| Medals are generally struck by the authority
and paid for out Of the public treasury Of Gov
eminent, and most frequently are intended TO re-.
ward and signslize the t'iuInphs achieved in war.
Bot that which you kindly tender 10 my
acceptance is the spontaneous offering of private
citizens, from their privao purses for public scr-
vices exclusively in the dyI department shall
fondly and gratefully cherish and preserve it whilst
life cndures, and transmit il TO my descendant.
under the hope that the, will receive and carefully
guard IL. with emotiousof lively gratitude to my
New York friends, ~ the proudest and richest
legacy that could lease them