New Hampshire Statesman And State Journal

From the New York Tribune.

THE GREAT CLAY FESTIVAL.

We are indebted to our Baltimore correspondent for the Lexington Intelligencer of the 20th inst., containing an account of the great festival given in that city on the 9th in honor of Henry Clay. The occasion must have been one of unequalled interest. More than twenty thousand of the gallant sons of Kentucky assembled to do honor to the illustrious statesman, who returns to them, after a long public service, unsurpassed by any in the annals of any nation, for the strong energy, the pure patriotism, the unbending integrity and the unequalled intellectual power with which its duties have been discharged.

At about 10 o'clock a great body of gentlemen and ladies assembled on the College lawn, and were presented to Mr. Clay. The procession was then formed, led by the Lexington Light Infantry—a splendid body of soldiers, followed by an immense concourse of citizens on foot. Then came a barouche, drawn by four noble greys, in which were seated Mr. Clay, Gov. R. P. Letcher, Lt. Gov. Thompson, and Judge Robertson, President of the Day.

Following this were the Committee of gentlemen from Ohio, and invited guests. Then came a portrait of Gen. Harrison, drawn upon a car, followed by the Committee of Arrangements, and a long train of carriages, from 3 to 500 in number. A fine band of music also accompanied the procession. They reached the ground—a beautiful woodland pasture a short distance from the city—where a sumptuous dinner was served up in splendid style. After dinner the following toasts were announced:

1. The late and lamented, Wm. Henry Harrison—An honest man, a pure patriot, and the people's friend: May his memory never cease to be enshrined in the grateful remembrance of an admiring posterity.

2. Our Country—The patriot's heart beats with gratitude at the festive board, swells with pride in the forum, and burns with fire in the field.

3. The Union—Cemented by the purest blood of patriotism, and consecrated by the undivided devotion of a free people! We behold the hand that would sacrilegiously touch it with dismembering violence.

4. Our Foreign Relations—While war should be avoided as long as it is possible to preserve a secure and honorable peace, it should never be forgotten that peace can never be secure, nor honorable, when a nation betrays a pusillanimous aversion to war.

5. The Tariff—While all acknowledge the necessity of an increase of duties, to meet the expenditures of government, it is the part of enlightened policy, to afford that degree of protection to home industry which shall ensure the permanent prosperity of the country.

6. The Distribution of the proceeds of the Public Lands—An act of justice to the States, which, though frequently demanded and as often rejected, was passed the first moment the Whigs came into power; a law so wise and unquestionably just, Congress has no moral power to repeal.

7. A National Bank—Indispensable to the safe keeping and disbursement of the public revenue, to the separation of the purse from the sword, and the restoration of a sound currency

8. The Whig Manifesto—Fearless and independent in spirit, wise and patriotic in principle.

9. Bell, Badger, Granger, Crittenden—Fearless, true, neither the blandishments of power, nor the prospects of a brilliant career of prosperous apostasy could seduce them from the principles which elevated them to office.

10. The Senate of the United States—The embodied wisdom of 26 confederate States— may it continue to vindicate its rights against unjust encroachments, with steadfast inflexibility.

11. The Whig House of Representatives— Liberal and enlightened in its policy, its measures deserve and will receive the patriotic support of the American people.

12. General Winfield Scott—The accomplished soldier, his services will be rewarded by a grateful country.

13. Henry Clay—Farmer of Ashland, Patriot and Philanthropist—the American Statesman, and unrivaled 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, has 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.

'The last toast,' says the Intelligencer, 'was prefaced by the President of the day with some happy and eloquent remarks. Mr. Clay rose in response, and for more than two hours, enchanted that vast audience by the exercise of those mighty powers of oratory with which he is so eminently gifted. With an ease peculiar to himself, he swayed the feelings of his auditory at will—at one time convulsed with laughter—again filled with indignation—and anon the glistening tear betrayed the deep emotion of the heart. But it needs not that we should attempt a description of the eloquence of such a man,—to say that Henry Clay spoke, would be sufficient. We shall, at the earliest opportunity, present to our readers the two speeches in full.'

Excellent letters were read from Hon. Thomas Ewing, Hon. Boyd McNally, Hon. I. R. Underwood, and other distinguished gentlemen. A great number of volunteer toasts were presented. The number on the ground was estimated at 25,000, of whom about 3000 were ladies. All intoxicating drinks were excluded from the ground, and the day passed off most happily and without the slightest accident. Long will it be remembered in the annals of Kentucky!