New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-02-18
Presentation of Medal to Mr.. Clay.

Inc W aSHlH1boH NtpuDliGoi WV lOth EtSSS VII
following description Of the presentation Of a
| medal to Mr. Clay, together with his reply to
the delegation from NewYork: 7uf
| The citizens of NewYork, desirous of present
| ing some testimonial of respect to the Hon.
Henry Clay, lately caused Il medal TO be pre-
pared at an expense worthy of the man and
highly honorable to the party paying him this
mark of respect, which was conveyed to this city
by {; delegation of the business men of that
spirited commercial metropolis, and presented
to him yesterday at his lodgings at the National
Hotel
The medal is of circular form, three and d
half finches in diameter the case Of chased silver
The front Of the case presents Il view of Ash
land, the residence Of Mr.. Clay-above which is
engraved the monument erected to Alr- clay on
the great National (Cumberlandl road On the
other side is tue picture Of the Capitol, the prom.
inent theatre OF his public life. The front Of the
medal presents the head and bust of Mr.. Clay,
in strong bas-relief, encircled by prominent
wreath, representing union of the States, in
yhich the leading agricultural staples OF the
| North and the South form the principal orna-
ments On the reverse side is the followingiin
scripton, indicative Of The illustrious periods
in the life of Mr.. Clay:
Senate 1906 Speaker. 1871 War. 1872 Ghent 1Sl4,
| Spanish America 1892; Missouri Compromise, ISL
American System 1874; Secretary of State 1875 Pana-
ma Instructions 1876 Tariff Compromise. ls8 Public
/
1885 Compromise, 1850" I. lf ltr
The delegation appointed to deliver this token
| of respect and veneration to the illustfious
statesman, waited upon Mr.. Clay at his private
chamber yesterday. iii
The following is the address of the delegation
upon presenting the medal rt e't'
" S-Durng the half century of your public life, your
almiring countrymen and friends have accumulated
around you MANY warm testimonials and enduring me-
moras of your great services to country and man
kind To add to these another is the purpose for which
to you.
In the behalf Of large number of eitizans
of NewYork offer you this gold medal and beg your
acceptance of it, to be in your family and by
their descendants, we hope, for ages
1T has been effort to make it valuable as work
II, art (of but little praecei in our country and
ha this effort has been successful that no medal ever
struck in this country surpasses 1T in beauty anu It
s the best likeness of your features ever yet ny
anv art In this. and in numerous casts from the same
die the form and expression OF your eontenace VIII De
faithfully transmitted 10 distant poserits And as : re
Corded houors shall hicken over you and generations
vt unborn do homage your memory this memorial
viii increase in value and be tony cherished as are now
The like images Cicero and Brus not only by the an
tinu.rv and historian but by all whom patriotism and
eloluence kindle to admlr;on .,,,
have been commemorative of the triuphs of American
' ~ Esns e r. hss .sasgs5 s,s siss issa war, & 4 90
Then let trumphs of peace have their memorial
bonnrs foo And the first American victor of peace,
tins be the who for whole has
ranked as the first citizen Of the great Republic 7
Jos NJ PRlcE, A. G. PEcKHAM,
SMITH J EASTMAN, Committee
| To this address MIR. Clay thus responded:
Getlesae1a-This is among the most interesting and
. Tying days of my life, although have been confined
sr'tl for long time by tedious and doubtful
;n NJ .e You have come here, the representatives OF
ihhess I enlightened body of sardent and devoted
ans s,a in the city of Newiork to present to me
hart,s q, l. - go >sty gold medal intended to eommemo-
oeutuui an Un one face of it is engraved all the
rate my public me opted in the National Councils i'll
great publc me- .LsnfS
Whch was supposed to hay Vie and accurate likeness
cy and on the other reInarka. presentation and the
M me- The time and the place Oh >lenGd testimonial
friends who have contributed this 81 is when am
give To it an fnestimabe value The tim, when can
about to retire forever from public life am, Ne place
not expect mitch longer to linger here below Il thse
the city of Washington the principal theatre n to
public services which have commended themsejvs
your appreciation, Throughout INV public life bays h..,
blessed everywhere in the United States with ,nor w
fewer true friends to whom bound by the str5e,t
Vi sraitue but nowhere have they surpassed
those III the city CT Newiork in zeal eopstaucy %
ity and in distinguished various er,onstrations
ther auectlon and and attachment While one il in be
ardent pursuit of public life and held NJ, for its bc
eSt honors, 1t Is not practicable always to dScrimna
ahlohg his supporters, between those who t4snv t,e
SURFACES from pure. patriotic rested motives
ana those who actuated by self.h ends hui ~ h
occasion no sueh difficulty exists. You have come ut
hlueh personal Inconvenience, to the SICK s.J
afcted friend to present to him in your names ana IN
tle name OF q numerous body of his personal and ut
cal friends, whom represent preeiq foken
your esteem and ateetonate regard That friend hassi
now and never will have any public patronage h, 1is
ense The high and honorable and isinterestsd char
aete Oh your m9tises can not therefore be questioned
gentlemen, request you to cept yoars.ly.s ami =,
communicate to my absent friends whom v1,, rYnr,at
my cordial and heartfelt thanks and nv grateful s,s
profound Acknowledgements for this rich tribute 10 tha