Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-11-26
REPUBLICAN DENOMINATION
KENTUCKY.
TESTIMONIAL TO oAssIUs NJ. CLAY.
Correspondence Of The y. Y. Tribune.

Sehteu 10 u M. clay Dy the hcpuOllcanS of
Kentucky, 1883" On the cane were cut
the initials of the thirteen original States
on thirteen knots with silver plates. On
the sides of tho head-picco was engraved
the following distich:
"TOc. VI. Clay, the poor mans friend,
Who said; Kill me, but spare my menr"
The dinner was an old-fashioned Ken.
tucky barbecue, got up in the best rural
style under the trees. Mr.. Claws family
and some other ladies were present AZ
ter dinner the Committee, consisting Of
VIM. Stapp, Tho'. J. Itentfro, James Black
burn, Geo. Burnam, John II. Rawlings,
Frank Blandt, Esqs., and DR.. Curtis Knight,
through their Chairman, VIM. Stapp, Esq,
presented tho stick.
SPEECHES.
Mr.. Stapp said: Friend Clay, it gives
me great pleasure to find myself the organ
of some of the Republicans of Kentucky in
presenting TO you this cane, cut from your
native soil. They have put hero this in
scription:
"To c. NJ Clay, the poor MANS friend,
Who said; Kill me, but spare my menr
The first line is in allusion 70 your per-
sonal and political history. We all know
the great sacrifices which you have made in
property, in time, in family, in caste, in po-
litical advancement, for The laboring mil
lions. You have always most truly been
the "poor mans friend" To that class
who are the producers and promoters of all
material development and all possible civ
lization we proudly avow ourselves to be-
long.
ais there for honest poverty that hangs his head,
The coward slare pass him by, We dare be poor
For a that"
Thor interest you bavo ever attempted
to promote by common schools-accessibl
alike to rich and poor; by encouraging min
ing, agriculture, manufactures and commerce,
and above all, most al ling these by making
labor free, and thus honorable.
The second line alludes To that ever
memorable occasion, tho 25th day of Janu-
ary, 1s47, when with heroism worthy the
best ages of humanity, you involved the
vengeance of semi barbarous foo upon
your own head for tho safety of those whose
lives and honor, friends and parents had
committed into your hands. For all this,
on our own account and in behalf of COM
mon humanity, we desire to do you honor,
so far as in our humility we have the power.
therefore present you this poor offering, as
sincere testimony of our friendship, graf
itudo and esteem.
Mr.. Clay, taking tho cane, responded:
"Fri0nd Stapp, most gratefully accept
this most beautiful cane, which you are
/, pleased to present mo on behalf of your
self and of the Republicans Of Madison
and adjoining counties. God has not Civ
en- it to us to be masters of our talents
but think l may truly say that, what
humble ability have possessed, has beon
faithfully devoted to your interests. An
heir to tho principles uttered in 1776, by
our fathers, they were not to me, "glittoriuc
gcneralities" or "unmeauing rlatitudcs,' y
but an everything and fruitful faith. Iheld
fortune, caste, and political promotion as
nothing, if these cherished sentiments were
to be suppressed. These werc my political
idols; neither know, nor desired to know,
other gods than these; l fel., with Jefferson,
that in vain were all our boasted Republic
anism, while all its vitality Sas ignored by
the existence Of African Slavery among us
and that there could be no vital and fruit.
ful love of Freedom without tho idea and
faith, "that these liberties we're the Gift o.
Godw In their vindication,. none know
better than you how long and painfully,
against great odds, have labored. The
Good Providence allows no generous aspira.
ton, no heroic labor to perish without fruit
Though our numbers hero arc small, we
are part of that great party which has
lately crowded history with eventful tri.
umphs; and which but awaits details for
its Inauguration into power, not to be sell
fshly used, but beneficently excrted for the
peace, the safety, and tho happiness of our
whole national family.
With regard to tho second line of this
inscription, only remark that l am graft
fed that found myself equal to the emcr-
gency. Tho time will yet come, when il
will bo deemed moro glorious to have saved
a couutryman than to have slain an enemy
Physical courage VIC share with the lower
animals; but spirit subordinates matter; and
the triumphs of the soul shall 1.-Two forever /!
Once more, l accept the cane. 1t is an
offset to many of tho hard blows Of fortune,
and lifts off many Of the dark shadows OF
life. l shall keep it during these days
which now look toward the setting sun !
shall transmit it as proud legacy to those,
who, trust, shall bear my name when any
work is doner Thoy arc unlike me if they
regard it not as more valuable than riches,
more honorable than high places, held,
but not graced or deserved
The presentation being over it was NOV
cd that the assembly be organized by max
ing the Chairman of the Committee Presi-
dent, and the remainder Vice presidents
which was carried. Albert Cornsligan,
Esq, then read the following toasts, which
elected most hearty applause:
! ToAsTs.
/. The Union of the States--The Sow
ereignty of the States, and the FREEDoM Of
THE STATES. Three cheers
2. Lo6orers--The "mud sills" Of society.
"The stone which the builders refused is
become the maidstone of the corner."--
Nine cheers.
8. The Common Schools of Rentucky--
Tho beginnings Of the end. Three cheers. !
4. Ldw and Ordsr-With tyrants.
means irresistible, physical force With
Freemon, omnipoteut Justice. Three