The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-11-25
Republican Denominations i'm KcI,
tuclSy.
Tcstiyn oni:aI TO CassiOs M. Clay.
of the N. Y. Tribune.

Correspondence of the n. Y. Tribune.
MAuisoN Co., KY, Nov. 8, 1888.
On the 9th inst, the Republicans of Madi-
son and adjoining counties presented TO c. Nj
Clay an elegant Hickory Cane, cut upon Ken.
tucRy soil. The cane was mounted with gold
head piece, inscribed: Presented to @. Nj.
Clay by the Republicans of Kentucky, 1852
On the cane were cut the Initials OF the original
States on thirteen knots with silver plates On
the sides of the head peace was engraved the
following distich;
&C. NJ. Clay, the poor mans friend,
Who said: Kill ME, but save my men ="
The dinner was an old fashioned Kentucky
barbecue, got up in the best rural style under
the trees Mr.. Clays family ami some other
ladies were present. After dinner the Commit.
tee, consisting of VIM. Stapp, Thos. j. Reutfro
James Blackburn, Geo. Burnam, John ii. Raw
lings. Frank Blandt, es9s. .'and DIR. Curtis Knight
through their Chairman VIM. Stapp, esq pre-.
seuted the stick.
SPECIFICS.
Mr.. S,app said Friend Clay, il gives me grea
pleasure 10 fnd myself the organ OF some Of the
Republicans of Kentucky in presenting to You
this cane, cut from your native soil They
have put her this inscription
"To {. NJ. Clay, the poor mans friend,
Who said: Kill me, but spare my men ="
The first line is an aIlusion to your personal
and political history. We all know the great
sacrifices which you have made in property, in
time, in family, in caste, in political advance
ment, for the laboring millions. You have al
ways been most truly the "poor mans Griend."-
To that class who are the producers and promo
moters of all material development aud all pos
sible civilization We proudly avow Ourselves to
belong.
"Isthere for honest poverty that hangs his head,
And flat
Tho coward slave, we pass him by, we dare be poor
For n that :"
Their interest you have ever attempted to pro-
mote by common schools-accesSibe alike to
rich and poor by encouraging mining, agricul-
ture, manufactures and commerce, aud above
all, NEST aiding these by making labor tres, aud
thus honorable.
The second line allules to that ever menora-
BILE occasion, the Goth day of January, lS47.
when with a heroism worthy OF the best ages
Of humanity, you invoked the vengeance of
sem-barbarous foe upon your own head for the
safety OF those whose lives and honor, friends
and parents had committed into your hands
For all this, Oh our own account aud in beha II
OF our common humanity, We desire to do you
honor, so far as in our humility we have the
power. therefore present you this poor offer
ing, as sincere testimony OF our friendship graf,
iiude and esteem.
Mr.. Clay, taking the cane responded:
Friend S;app, most gratefully accept this
most beautiful cane, which you are pleased to
present me on behalf OF yourself and of the
Republicans Of Madison and adjoining counties
God has not given it to us to be masters of our
talents; but think may truly say that, what
humble ability have possessed, has been faith
fully devoted TO your interests. An heir to the
principles uttered in l776 BY our fathers, they
were not 20 me, " "gitteridg generalities' or "un.
meaning pla,itudes," but an ever liying and
faithful faith. held fortune, caste, and polit-
cal promotion as nothing, if these cherished
sentiments were to be suppressed. These were
my political idols; | felt with Jefferson, that in
vain were ali our hOOsted Rcpublicanism. while
all its vitality was ignored by the existence of
African Slavery among lis and that there could
be no vital and fruitful love of Freedom with
out The idea and faith that these liberties were
the gift Of GodE In their vindication, none
know better than you how long and painfully,
against great odds, | have labured. Good Proyi-
dence allows no generous aspiration no heroic
labor TO perish without fruit, Though our
numbers here are small, we are a part Of that
great party which has lately crowded history
with eventiul trumphs and which but awaits
details for his Inauguration into power, not to
be sellishly used but beneGcently exerled for the
peace, and safety. and the happiness of our
whole national family.
With regard to the second line of this inscrip.
ton only remark thatI am graliGed that |
found myselfequal TO the emergency The time
will yet come, when it will he deemed more Clio.
rious 10 have saved cOuntryman, than to have
slain an enemy Physical courage we share
with ths lower animals but spirit subordnate
matter; aud the iriumphs OF the soul Shall live
forever
Once more, accept the cane. 1t is an offset
to many OF the hard blows of fortune. aud lifts
oil many OF the dark shadows Of life. | shall
keep II dnnns these days which now look tow
ard the setting sun! | shall transmit il as 4
proud legacy 10 those, who trnsl. shall hear
my name when "mv work isdole!" They ars
unlike me If they regar /, not as more valuable
than riches more honorable than high places
held, bat not Sraced OF deserved!