And now, Mr. President, and senators, I bid you all a long, a lasting, and a friendly farewell.
Mr. Crittenden was then duly qualified, and took his seat; when
Mr. Preston rose and said: what had just taken place was an epoch in their legislative history, and from the feeling which was evinced, he plainly saw that there was little disposition to attend to business. He would therefore move that the senate adjourn; which motion was unanimously agreed to.
ON HIS RETIREMENT TO PRIVATE LIFE.
AT LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, JUNE 9, 1842.
[AFTER his resignation as senator, and retirement to private life, at Ashland, near Lexington, Kentucky, his fellow-citizens of that place and its vicinity, gave a festival in honor of him, on the above-named day, when Mr. Clay addressed them in the following words, in which he takes an interesting retrospect of his long career as a public man, and enters into a sketch of the most important political events which had affected the condition of the country, concluding with an exhortation to his political friends to continue their efforts to promote the best interests of their country.
Judge Robertson, who presided, offered the following sentiment, which he prefaced with appropriate remarks
HENRY CLAY—farmer of Ashland, patriot and philanthropist—the AMERICAN statesman, and unrivalled orator of the age—illustrious abroad, beloved at home: in a long career of eminent public service, often, like Aristides, he breasted the raging storm of passion and delusion, and by offering himself a sacrifice, saved the republic; and now, like Cincinnatus and Washington, having voluntarily retired to the tranquil walks of private life, the grateful hearts of his countrymen will do him ample justice; but come what may, Kentucky will stand by him, and still continue to cherish and defend, as her own, the fame of a son who has emblazoned her escutcheon with immortal renown.
After the evidences of feeling which this sentiment elicited had subsided, Mr. Clay rose and spoke as follows.]