Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-05-26
To his Exeellency Gov. Washburn.
Mr.. Fillmore in ". York

Mr.. Fillmore in ". York
While the Ex-Presdent in n. York last
week, he waited upon by the Henry Clay As
ISOLATION, when the following interesting proceed
ings took place. The occasion obviously one
of mutual qualification. Mr.. Fillmore received
the association with marked cordiaty,wh the
members ON their part seemed alike honored and
delighted by his suavty and kindness of manner.
After the visitors had been introduced formally
ind individually,
Hon ERAsTus Brooks, on behalf of the Asso-
citation, advanced and said
Mr. Fillmore have the pleasure to introduce 10
you the officers and members of the Henry Clay
Festival Association. 1t is a source of profound
regret with u.s. sir, that we are not permitted to
tender you, in a more public and formal manner.
a reception such as you have met with in distant
parts of the oountry-among strangers compare
lively. Returning to your own native State at
ter an absence of some months, during which you
have received honors which made your Journey
seem rather the march of victorious chief than
the visits of retired gentleman, the citizens of
your own commonwealth would have been most
happy to have improved this opportunity to man
fest their respect for you personally, and to have
shown you that you have friends, at home, who
would have been gratified at an opportunity of eX
tending eqSal eiyilities to you here. You see be-
fore you s'r, Association founded in 1910, in
the season of Mr. Clays political adversely. 1t is
perpetuated, to commemorate his private virtues,
and his public services. We remember you, sir,
as his adviser his counsellor, aud his true friend,
whether acting with him in dscharging the duties
of the forum, or as the Chief Magistrate of the
American people. Associating, therefore, the
names of the honorcd dead and living. but remem-
berng that principles never die we beg leave to
tender you our united and cordial wishes for your
health, happiness, and future prosperity. Loud
applause.)
MIR. FILLMORE said in reply-Mr Chairman, this
address in behalf of the Clay Association takes
me wholly by surprise. During long journey,
sir, which has exhausted my strength, but not i'm
paired my affection for my country, | have seen
many who were the friends of Henry Clay-many
who are ready now to avow it, Tut who did not
ayow it whilst he lived and | am, sir, sure there
is person present that can feel greater deyo-
ton to his memory than do. 1t was part n
melancholy part of the duties of my journey to
visit his tomb, and drop tear over his grave
| saw, for tie first time residence which will be
| sacred forever because it the residence of
| Henry Clay; and saw also the place of burial
which he had chosen for himself | am happy to
see in my own State an Association that contin-
ues to live, while he is dead for the purpose of
perpetuating the prncipl lies which he sustained as
public man whilst living. | should feel n deep
regret, sir, if the resolution which | com
PEELED to make of receiving no public demon
stration after | reached that portion of the Uni
ted States, in which is my home, had deprived
my fellow citizens of any qualification they might
feel in extending any public civties to me-
| can assure you, sir that although | have re-
ceived the hospitallities-an | may say, the
unexpected hospitallites-of the whole South
through which have passed, and which have
| been bestowed with a lavishness of which, pre-
yously, had no conception, yet there is some
thing in my heart that makes it more dear to me
to me to receive the appreciation of my fellow
citizens of the Empire State than that | can re-
ceive from those whom had never seen before.
loud applause.) | confess to you, sir, that al
though in the discharge of public duty would
know sectional difference, and would give
the same right and maintain the same principle
for the most humble man that dwells upon the
farthest part of Texas that would for the great
est nabob that livesin the Empire City of tho
Empire State, (Applause.) yet if it comes to a
matter of Affection | do feel proud of my own
State, and do love it. (Renewed applause J
| return you sir and through you, to this associ-
alton, a thousand thanks for the unexpected hon
or you have done me this evening. | wish, how
ever, that this would be regarded as entirely
private matter. have nothing TO say to you in u
public manner on public afairs,-whilst at the
same time have nothing to conceal-for were
| to accept those public honors it might then be
supposed that my tour through my own State had
assumed the aspect of political tour-which, by
all means | would avoid. have already passed
through the highest honors which it is in the
power of this country, or, believe of any other
country, to bestow; and only wish that | may be
permitted to retire in peace Again gentlemen,
| return you my sincerest thanks for the honor
you have on this occasion done to me. (Great
and enthusiastic appause)