Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-11-20
Prom the New YORK Tribune.
E..,ubIicau Demonstration in Kentucky
TTesttmOninI to Cassius VI. Clay.


Testimonial to Cassius NJ Clay
MADISON Co, KY, Nov g. 1858.
On the 9Th inst the Republicans of Madison and
adjoining counties presented to c. NJ. Clay an ele
gant Hickory Cane, cut upon Kentucky soil. The
eans vas mounted with gold head-piece, inscribed:
s,Presepted to C. NJ Clay by the Republicans Of
kentucky, 1858 On the cane were cut the initials
of the thirteen original States thirteen knots with
silver plates. On the sides Of the head piece was
engraved the following distich
"To c. N. Clay, the poor mans friend,
Who said: Kill ne, but spare my men!'"
The dinner was an old fashioned Kentucky barbe
cue got up in the best rural style under the trees
Mr. Cays family and some other ladies we're present
Aftsr dinner the Committee consisting of VIM StaPp,
Tbos ]. Rentfro, James Blackburn Geo Burnam,
Jobn H Rawlings, Frank Blandt. Esqs., and DR..
Curtis knight. through their Chairman, Wm Stapp,
ESQ, presented the stick.
SPEECHES.
NJ Siam said: Friend Clay, it gives me great
Measure to find myself the organ Of some Of the Re-
publicans of Kentucky in presenting to you this
cane cut from your native SOIL They have put here
this inscription:
UToC N. Clay, the poor mans friend,
Who said Kill me, but spare my men!'"
The first line is in allusion to your personal and
NAUTICAL history. We all know the great sacrifices
which YOU have made in property, in time, in family,
in costs in political advancement for the llbOring
miIIions You have always most truly been the
&. moor mans friend" To that class who are the
roducers and promoters Of all material development
and ALI possible civilization We proudly avow our
selves to belong.
as there for honest poverty that hangs his head
tn, onward slave, we pass him by, we dare be poor
tH' For a thati"
Their interest you have ever attempted to promote
hr oommoD sohOols-accessible alike to rich and
nooor. nv encouraging mining, agriculture msnufse-
tures AID commerce, and aboVea ALL most AIDING these
nv making labor free, and thus honorable
The second line alludes to that ever memorable
occasion. the 25th day of January, lS47 when with
beroism worthy of the best ages Of humanity, yon
involved the vengeance Of sem-bsrbarous foe upon
oy own head for the safety Of those whose lives and
honor. friends and parents had committed into your
ban5s For all this, on our own account and IN be-
half of our common humility, we desire to do you
honor SO far as in our humanity We have the power
Therefore present you this poor Offering, as SIN
oere testimony of our friendship, gratitude and
esteem.
Mr.. Clay, taking the cane, responded
Friend stapp: 1 most gratefully accept this most
bsautiful cane which you pleased to present me
on behalf of yourself and Of the Republicans Of
Madison and adjoining counties. God has not given
Il ~ us to be masters Of our talents; but think
nav truly say that, what humble ability have pos
sessed has been faithfully devoted to our interests
An heir TO the principles uttered in lII6, BY our
1s,bers. they we're not 10 me, "glitering generals
fiss or ..unmesning plstitudes," but an ever liv-
inc and fruitful faith. l held fortune, caste, and
noiitiesl promotion nothing, if these cherished
continents were to be suppressed. These were my
olitical idols; neither knew nor desired 10 kno"
6,bsr Gods but these; felt with Jefferson, that IN
vain we're all our boosted Republicanisn, while Gil
lis vitality was ignored by the existence OF african
sIsy,ry among uII and that there Soula OsnQ WA