Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-02-20
The Gold Medal Presentation to Henry
Clay.

Clay.
The National Intelinrenccr states that the
Committee who were dcputed by Mr. Claws
New York friends TO deliver the token of their
appreciation, were admitted to his chamber at
3 o'clock, on Monday, the 10th inst and were
received with that graceful urbanity for which
Mr.. Clay is so distinguished. After a short
pause, during which the company privileged to
be present on the occasion, were invited to be
seated, Mr.. Daniel UIlman, Chairman of the
Committee. rose and delivered the address.
Mr.. CLAY received the address standing, with
the deepest attention, and then proceeded to
observe that although it had been his habit in
addressing public bodies, larger or smaller, to
sneak extcmporancously, he had been induced,
on this occasion, as well out of profound res
pect to the Committee, as in regard to his fec
Bile state of health. to depart from his ordinary
practice and reduce his reply to writing. He
then read. in firm, thong h somewiat feeble
voice, the following reply
"GENrLEMEN--This is among the most IN
teresting and gratifying days Of my life, altho
have been confined to these rooms for long
time by IA tedious and doubtful illness You
have come here, the representatives, OF large
and enll ghtencd body OF ardent and devoted
friends of mine III the city Of New \ ork. TO
present to me u bcautltu and costly gold med
al, intended to commemorate my public life
On one face Of 1t is engraved all the great pub
lie measures adopted in the National Councils,
in which was supposed to have any CONSPICUOUS
agency, and on the other, remarkable and ac-
curate likeness of me- The time and the place
of presentation and the friends who have con-
tributcd this splendid testimonial, give to 1t an
inestimable value. The time is when | am
lttn nj
when cannot expect mu,h longer to lingcr
here below; the place is the city Of Washing
ion, the principal theatre of those public servl-
ccs which have commended themselves to your
appreciation. Throughout my public life |
have been blessed, every where in the United
States, with more or fewer true friends, to whom
am bound by the strongest sentiments Of graf
itude; but nowhere have they surpassed those
in the city OF New York in ZEAL constancy and
fidelity, and in distinguished and varloGS dem
onstrationS of their affection and attachment &C.,
Whilst one is in the ardent pursuit Of public
life and is held M for lis highest honor, it is not
practicable always to discriminate, among his
supporters, between those WHO beStOw their sui
irages from pure, patriotic, and dlsintercsted
motives aud those who are actuated by selfish
euds 3; but on this occasion no such difficulty
exists. You have come, mt much personal in
convenience, to the bed of a sick and aiIllc ed
friend, to present to him, i'll your names and III
! the name of nuiue-ous body of hls personal
and political friends. whom YOU represent, Il
most precious token Of yonr cNtecm and alice
iionate regard. That friend has not now, and
never will have, any public patronage to dis
pensc. The high and honorable and dlSlnter
ested character of your motives cannot there
fore, be questioned.
Gentlemen, | request you IN accept your
selves. and to communicate 10 my absent friend,
whom YOU represent, my cordial ana heartfelt
thanks. and my grateful and profound acknowl
Judgements, for this rich tribute to the scnt
ments which they do me the honor to entertain
towards me should have been most happy
to have expressed my great obligations to al
of them perso ally, ii 1t had been IN my power
! | shall soon pass from the jurisdiction Of my
contemporaries aud of the present generation
to that of history and pusterlty, If the one sinai
deem me worthy Of any record on It's pages, o
tradition shall transmit any recollection OF IN
to the other.
1t is not within my Legitimate province t.
express any opinion on my own public cirec
+ or public deeds. That office belongs to them
and shall consider my future fame fortunate
if it shall be regarded by them with SINAI
portion of the favor with which the Partially
of yourselves and your associates now contem
plate II.
+ shall soon appear before higher and more
holy tribunal than any earthly one, which can
unerringly Judge o the motives ms well as TIN
acts of man To that tribunal ! look forward
with composurc and confidence that ! shall b
acquitted of having ever been prompted, in thu
discharge of my public duties, by any mean
sordid or selfish ends or been animated by al
Other purpose than 10 promote the honor No