The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-08-19
EXTRACT FROM A SPEECH DELIVERED BY
JAMES B. CLAY,
Son Of Henry Clay, an otd-Iine Wig, mean
Maysriite, kentucky, July 26, 1856.

MIR. CLAY said. that he was a quiet
farmer, who had taken but little part in pub
lie affairs. He was a comparative stran-
ger in his own State. There were not a doz-
en- familiar faces in the great crowd before
him. But he had been illuminated by the
press ; he had been denied the right unless at
the hazard of the most bitter and malignant
personal detraetion, of taking that course
in political affairs which his Judgment and
conscience approved. He had been paint
ed as a monster of political regeneration
and infdelity-his own and the heart strings
Of his family had been torn by the vile abuse
to which he had been subjected. He now
appeared before them to show what man
ncr of man he was, to justify to his fellow
countrymen the consistency and honor of
his conduct.
Mr.. Clay proceeded to say that he had
no blood in his veins which did not flow in
an honorable channel and from an honored
source. 1t was not in the nature o his race
to be faithless and treacherous. There
was none of that race but had borne a true
and patriotic heart in his bosom. An I'M
Gle had fallen gallantly struggling against
the savages at the river Raisin. Many now
present remembered that gallant man who
believed the dark and bloody ground with
his hearts blood. A brother had fallen at
Buena Vista, fighting for the honor and
flag of his country and, even when dsa-
bled and PROSTATE from many wounds, when
last seen he still resisted and combatted the
enemies of his country. Last and greatest
of his name-greatest that had ever been
or ever would be-his father, had lived for
his country and for the Union-had exhaus-
ted his days in the service of the republic,
and had imposed on all who were connect
ed with him, as their highest and most sa-
cred duty, to give their best efforts to the
maintenance of that cause to which his
great heart and talents were so long con-
secrated.
In the performance of this object, Mr. Clay
said he came there TO strike one blow for
the Union. He then proceeded to show
that the banner of the whig party had been
furled and laid upon his fathers grave.
Mr.. Clay then proceeded to state that he
had chung to the old party in its dying. as
he had in its prosperous moments, and
when its final dissolution was proclaimed
he looked around to see where he should 90.
He felt himself in the embarrassment in
which the Sage of Marshfeld once found
himself. He had entertained opinions in
favor of native Americanism, and had
published the first articles that had ever
appeared in Kentucky on that subject
So hearing that there was a party organic
ed on that idea, and which at the same time
proclaimed very heightened and patriotic
national objects and spirit, though he en-
tertained much repugnance to secret socie-
ties, he was persuaded to present himself for
interrogation at the portals of one of the LODI .
geso of the so-called American order. As the /
obligation of secresy had been removed,from
all persons in reference to that order, he felt
justihedia stating what there occurred