Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-02-18
PRESENTATION OF A MEDAL TO FIR.
CLAY.

The Washington papers Of last week contain no.
ices of the presentation Of gold medal to Henry
Clay, by large number of citizens of N. York;
The ceremony took place at the National Hotel,
Monday. Messrs. Daniel Ullman, Charles NJ.
Leupp, Joseph NJ Price, Alexander Peckham and
Smith J. Eastman, as representatives of the Do
nors, presented the medal in an appropriate sd-
dress. which was responded to by Mr. Clay, with
much feeling. ile made touching illusions to the
close of his public life and to the termination of his
natural life, which he spoke of as being near a,
hand. In the holy tribunal before which he was
soon to appear he looked with composure, and.
said he, "with confidence, that shall be acquitted
of having ever been prompted in the discharge of
nv public duties, by any mean, sordid, or selfish
ends, or been animated by any o'her purpose Than
20 promote the honor, the prosperity & glory Of our
common country"
The National Integencer concludes lis account
of the interesting ceremonies as follows
The manuscript having been laid aside, Mr.
Clay proceeded 10 more minute examination of
the Medal, at which he had, previous to replying,
cursorily glanced. 1t is of pure California gold,
massive and weighty. and is enclosed in a silver
case, which opens with hinge in The manner of a
hunting watch. On the face Of the medal is a fine
head OF Mr.. Clay, most delicious in the likeness,
and conveying the characteristic impression of his
features in a higher degree than any Of The busts
or medallions usually seen. The relief is very
high and must have required pressure Of immense
power 10 give it its funess, sharpness, and daca
CIV of outline Tho reverse exhibits The following
inscription:
"Senate, 1906; Speaker, 1911; War, 1912;
Client, 1914 Spanish America, 1922 Missouri
Compromise, 1921 American System, 1924; Sec
rotary of State, 1925 Panama Instructions, 1896;
Tariff Compromise, 1888 Public Domain, 1888
and 1854 Peace with France Preserved, 1885,
Compromise, 1850"
The lines are supported on either hand by taste
full wreaihs, in which the six chief American STA
PIES wheat, corn, cotton, tobacco, rice, and hemp,
are very happily :nteriwined.
On the silver case is represented on one side
view of the capitol, with lis contemplated addi-
,onal wings fully displayed J and on the other, in
two distinct mparmenls above, an elevation Of
the great commemorative Monument on The Cum
berland road below, view Of Ashland and lis
mansion.
Mr.. Clay expressed favorable opinion of the
head, as giving his features with great truthful
ness, but payfully remarked that he did not know
before that his nose was quite SO prominent and
then added in alusion to the great intrinsic value
of the medal from its material, 'Who can tell but,
fifty or a hundred years hence some Goth may get
hold of this and say the nose Of this old dead fellow
will serve TO buy Inc great many things that
want, and may carry it off2 However,. ii is a
capital likeness, think" The artists, said Mr..
c., have not generally succeeded well in taking
my features, bu! that has been in great measure
my own fault for my face never retains long the
same expression, and'especally when am under
any excitement, it changes every moment. John
Randolph once paid me high compliment, not in
tcnlionally-for he seldom complimented any man
but, without intending it, he paid me what es-
TEEN one of the highest compliments ever recelv-
ed. He said that whenever debate is coming on,
if can gel sight of Mr. Clay's face, can al
ways tell which side he is going to take.
This transition from The grave TO the gay is 50
characteristic of Mr.. Clay, that no one who has
seen him in his hours Of confidence can fail 10 be
reminded by il OF many an association that, while
it kndes smile, will be followed but too soon by
sigh.