American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-07-17
Laying of. the Corner Stone,Of the
Clay Monument at Lexington.

Clay Monument at Lexington.
Tho Cincinnati papers are filed with
details OF the grand doings at Licking
ton. KY, ON Saturday. From the well
written letter of Tho correspondent of
tire Gazette we extract tho following
passages
In the procession, and the only one
admitted into the cemetery grounds,
was the carriage still in good keeping,
that was presented To the Hon Henry
Clay by the city of Newark. New Jer-
sey. November 23d, 1888. Ii was orr
namen,ed by four waving white funeral
plumes at the corners. and in the rear
seat was placed bust Of Clay; also
the engraving of Clay's leave taking
from the Senate Of tho United States.
Within sat the old coachman of Mr..
Clay, venerable, but hale looking gray
haired old negro. Aaron Dupee," who
had been bred and born at the"Slashes,"
in old Hanover, Va. He travelled with
him, he said, when there were no turn
pixies in Portugal or in England. He
commenced service with him when JEFF
terson was going out of the Presidency
and has been his faithful servant until
the decease Of his much beloved mas
ter.
The sidewalks were jammed, the win.
dows and house-tops were crowded with
men women and children gazing upon
the pageant, that for two hours was pas.
sing through the avenue, which was col
ored with waving flags and pendant ban.
ners. and which Numbered with the ex.
plosion of artillery, the rattle Of drums,
and the music of brazen throa,ed instru.
ments.
A few aged men were present, who
had known the sage as young Harry Of
Ashland, who heard him in person de-
nounce the interference of Government
in personal liberty, aud that of the press
as early as the alien and sedilipn laws :;
some had heard of his bold advocacy Of
the war of 1912, of internal improve.
ment and of the American ystem-his
commencement aud close of life as a
statesman.
Political followers and antagonists,
nov, isarmed, were here to testify to
the sincerity, ability and purity of Mr..
Clay; men who knew by experience,
and youths who had read and heard of
his gallant deeds trooped into the Fay
cite county seat, and on the eaily hours
OF the Foulth, Lexington was filed with
people from all the adjacent counties.
A stand had been erected at a con-
veuient distance, on which Gamer n
had been placed, and a photograph
lnt t,l- Il, -.
ings OF this august ceremony, at tho
point of greatest interest. The process.
sion reformed land in heightened file pro-
ceeded to the fair grounds, in distant
part of the city, TO hear the eulogy on
Henry Clay by Breckenridge.
Time will not permit 10 picture the
imposing scene forming the coup d'mH
from the speakers stand, when circling
round tho vast amphitheatre were seat,
ed thousands of the beauty and chival~
ry ofthe Kentucky commonwealth, and
paraded in the central area were the
military from Baltimore, st. Louis, Lou.
isville, Cincinnati and Indiana. The
Knight Templars, in black and with
banners, mounted on comparisoned
steeds f; the Masons, in blue and bill
liant regaliai the Fire Companies with
decorated apparatus the Chief Mar
shall and Assistant on horseback, har-
moniously arranged, awaiting the intro
duction to the orator, who was eminent
~ the man to speak of Henry Clay.
Rev. Robt. j. Breckenridge. himself
proud representative Of Kentucky in
talents and lineage, stepped forward
and addressed, for near two hours, the
vast and attentive auditory. Our con.
lecture as TO the style and production
OF the Grafton had been at fault had
expected to have Witnessed bold and
daring launch out from written language
TO the unprecedented and gushing elo-
qnence that distinguished him that was
speaking,& him Of whom lie spoke, when
youthful fire glowed in their earnest
souls. But was agreeably disappoint-
ed; saw step forth solid serious man
who bore in form and feature the ira
cings that time had dealt practically
with him, who had dwelt long and well
on the character of Clay, and had the
good taste to homer him and himself by
no vived oratorical rhapsody, like an
earnest, Christian philosopher, present
ed calm, warm-heared, common-sense
view of the personal character, public
services, and distinguished cbaracteris-
tics of the man, the american, and the
Kentmchia@, whom the autidory all so
well knew.
Among the many distinguished gen.
tleman present were j. G. Breckinridge
Vice President Of the United States
Rev. Robert j. Breckiniidge, orator Of
the day, and his five sons Senator John
j. Crittenden, Hon. James Gprtbie, ex.
Governor Trimblc, Of Ohio; Governor
Moorebead, of Kentucky; Chief Justices
Robertson and Marshall, Hon. Carrot
Davis. and j. Is Huston. Sneaker &c