The weekly American banner. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1855-18??, 1856-04-18
From the Vicksburg Why.
The Clay Monument.

We present this morning, with great pleasure,
and in preference TO anything elsc we could Offer
our readers, the following graphic account of the
ceremonies Of laying the corner stone Of the monu-
ment to Henry Clay, which were celebrated with so
much spirit in New Orleans last Saturday. 1t was
written for the Vicksburg Wing 10y an old friend of
ours, one to whom the name of Henry Clay is
magic spell, that instantly calls up in Ills mind the
glorious memories of the buried rast:
Editorial Correspondence.
NEW ORLEANS, Arril ~, 1856.
Yes my daar sir. 'the Crescent City, is really
going to honor itself Ivy erecting statue to COM
memorate the man and his services--he who would
rather be right than Presdent''-and, old res
ident, proud of it. But MY dear sir; am the
last person youshould have asked to give you an
account of the Sayings and doings" in this city
this anniversary of the birth of one of Americas
noblest sons-the great commoner Henry Clay
Because, knowing me and MY unbounded admiration
IF that great man. you might have supposed That
such scene as have Just witnessed would fill
my heart with joy that should he totally untitled
to sit down and give coherent account OF it. while
vet under the influence Of the strong, yet beyond
expression, pleasurabe emotion; which the occasion
has produced. 1t is indeed beyond My ROVER to do
So but win not fai you, devoted friend Of the IL
lustrious statesman, as ! well know you to have
been I'll do the best can, but the time previous
to the departure Of the Natchez is brief and MY
sketch will lie hurried incomplete and not what the
joyful occasion deserves or would send you, if
could control my emotion and write with camness
But YOU must take the will for the deed, SO here
goes.
At early dawn we had the promise of bright
and 6autiiul day. and the promise was well fulfill
ed. more glorious day never witnessed
We have been favored with clear blue sky, bright
sunshine, and delightful breeze in short, a finer
day for the ceremonies could not have been wished
AS the first rays of the morning sun gilded tower
and steeIle the stars and stripes were unolded and
,asts Of nf oh fr,p,
and column, from public buildings, faom newspaper
Offices, armores and fleets of steamboats, flags
gracefup waved, bctokoning the celebration of some
notable event. AS the morning advanced, crowds
began to throng the streets, and especially the ap-
rroaches to Canal Street, the centre of attraction
Old and young, the sedate and the gay were wend-
ing their way to witness the ceremonies of the day
Thefair daughters of America congre gated in inn
mense numbers. They, with whom the great Henry
Clay had been an especial favorite they, who knew
and appreciated his greatness his chvaliic devotion
to the sex, his graces and charmof manner; they
could not be absent occasion when honor was
to be done to his memory. God bless them
The military companies, the firemen, the masons
and other public bonies turned out and repair
ed to their designated post A large detachment 0
the military of our sister city of Mobile, also mad,
their welcome appearance, and hosts of stranger,
from near, helped to swell the immense assemblage
while they testified Joy IN witns ssing lie spec
tacle which the Cr.fcant City this day afforded
Here, my dear sir, Tor iek0f tfnfe must stop fur
ther description myself and give you in lace Of
own the following account published in this eve
nng's Picayune,) of the procession. the ceremonie
at the laying of the cornerstone of the monument
DO DC
I'VE are compelled for want Of space, to omi
some of the extracts embodied in the letter of ou
correspondent especially those describing the for
nation and march of the grand pfocession.l
Arrived at tire lace arIrol rated for the ercc
ton of the monumental statue ut the junction of st
Charles and Royal, on the Neutral Ground il
Canal Street, the ceremony of laying the corner
J stone commenced. By invitation Of the Clay Mon
umental Association, this reformed by tn
Grand Lodge Of the State Of Louisiana of Free an
accepted Masons, according to the time honored ritz