Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-02-16
OF n Medal to Mr..

Monday last Mr.. Clay was waited up |
on at his lodgings, in Washington, by
deputation Of citizens from New York,
charged with the duty Of presenting him
with a massive and elaborate Gold medal,
as a testimonial Of the love and veneration
in which he was held by his friends in that
civ. Mr.. Daniel Ullman. chairman Of the
committee, delivered an appropriate adj
dress, expressive of the appreciation IN
which his illustrious services to his coun-
try and mankind were held.
! Mr.. Clay received the address, as the
lntelligencer informs us. standing with the
deepest atteution.aud then proceeded TO OBJ
serve that, although it had been his habit
in addr, ssing public bodies, larger Or
smaller. to speak extemporaneously, he
had beeninduced, on this occasion, as well
out Of profound respect to the Committee
as IN regard to his feeble state Of health to
depart from his ordinary practice and re-
duce bis reply to writing. He then read,
in a firm though somewhat feeble voice,
the following reply:
GENrLrMEN:-This is among the mos,
interesting and gratifying days Of my life.
Although | have been confined to these
rooms for long time BY a tedious and
doubtful illness, you have come here,
the representatives ola large and enlight
ened body Of ardent and devoted friends
Of mine. in the city Of New York, to pre-
sent to me a beautiful and costly gold
medal, intended to commemorate my pub
lie life. On one face Of it is engraved all
the great public measures adopted in the
National Councils in which | was suppos-
ed to have had any conspicuous agency;
and on the other remarkable and accu-
rate likeness Of me. The time and the
place OF presentation, and the friends who
have contributed this splendid testimonial,
give to ii an inestimable value. The time
is when | am about TO retire forever from
public life, and when | cannot expect
much longer to linger here below; the
place is the city Of Washington, the princi
pal theatre Of those public services which
have commended themselves to your ap-
probation. Throughout my public life !
have been blessed, everywhere in the
United States, with more or fewer true
friends TO whom | am bound by the strong
est sentiments of gratitude, but now here
have they surpassed those in The city IF
New York IN zeal, constancy. and fidelity,
and in distinguished and various dcmoustra-
lions Of their affection and attachments
Whilst one is ia the ardent pursuit Of pub.
lie life. and is held up for It's highest hon
ors, It is not practicable always to discrim-
mate, amoug his supporters, between those
who bcstow their sulragcs from pure,
patriotic, and disinterestcd motives, and
those who are actuated by selfish ends; but
on this occasion no such difficulty exists
You have come at much personal neon
venlence, to the bed of sick and afflicted
friend, to present to him. in your names
and in the name Of numerous body Of his
personal and political friends, whom you
represent, most precious token Of your
esteem and aifcctionate regard. That
friend has not now, and never will have.
any public patronage to dispense. The
high and honorable and disinteres,ed char
actcr Of your motives cannot, therefore, he
questioned.
Gentlemen, request you to accept your
selves, and to communicate to my absent
friends whom You represent, my cordial
and heartfelt thanks, and my gratcfI! and
profound ac,Inowled gements for this rich
tribute to lie sentiments Inch they do
me the honor TO entertain towards me.
should have been most happy TO have cx-
pressed my great obligations TO all Of them
personally, lift had been in my power.
! shall soon pass from the jurisdiction
Of my contemporaries, and Of the present
ecnerntion, to that history and pDsterity,
if the one shall deem me worthy ofany re-
cord on its pages, or tradition shall trans
nit any recollection ofme to The other.
1t is not within my legitimate pro, ince to
express any opinion on my own public
career or public deeds. That office be-
longs to them, and | shall consider my fu
ture fame fortunate if it shall be regarded
by them with a small portion Of the favor
with which the partially Of yourselves
and yol.r associates now contemplate il.
shall soon appear before higher and
more holy tribunal ,han any earthly one,
which ca1 unerringiy judge ofthe motives
as wellas the acts of man. To that tTibuna!
| look forward, with composurc and con,
fidencc, that shall be acquitted of having
ever been prompted in the discharge Of my
public duties, by any mean or sordid or
selfish ends, or been animated by any 9th
or purpose than to promote the honor, the
prosperity, and glory ofour common coun-
try.
Mcdasare generally struck by theauhor-
ity and paid for out Of the public treasury
of Government, and most frequently are
intended to reward and signalizc the tri-
umphs achieved in wa But that which
you now SO kindly tender to my aeccp-
lance is the spontaneous offering ofPrivate
citizens, from heir private purses for pub
lie services exclusively in the civil depart
rnent | shall fondly and gratefully cher
ISL and preserve il whilst life endurcs aud
transmit it to my descendants under the
hope that they will receive and carefully
guard il, with emotions Of lively gratitude
TO my New York friends, as the proudest
and richest legacy that could leave
them.
During the delivery Of this beautiful
and appropriate reply the most perfect ST.
lence pervaded the chamber; every eye
was fixed on the tail and commanding
form so long known to the public, but res
pect and admiration were mingled with
tender regret on witnessing the evident
struggle between the unimpared vigor Of
the mind and the feebleness Of its now
emaciated and shaken tenement. Yet the
eye still glittcred with unsubdued ustre,
and at times the tones Of his voice rose in
to an emphasis which reminded one Of an
| cient duvs