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Henry Clay Mourning Ribbon

Tan ribbon with a black and white image of Henry Clay, a black bow at the top, and text reading, “General Democratic Whig Committee. I would rather by right than be President. I implore, as the best blessing which Heaven can bestow upon me, that if the direful event of the dissolution of this Union is to happen, I shall not survive to behold the sad and heart-rending spectacle. H. Clay. Obsequies, July 20, 1852.”/tiles/collection/6/6401.xml
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Tan ribbon with a black and white image of Henry Clay, a black bow at the top, and text reading, “General Democratic Whig Committee. I would rather by right than be President. I implore, as the best blessing which Heaven can bestow upon me, that if the direful event of the dissolution of this Union is to happen, I shall not survive to behold the sad and heart-rending spectacle. H. Clay. Obsequies, July 20, 1852.”
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Date

1852

Dimensions

7 11/16 x 3 3/16 in. (19.5 x 8.1 cm)

Accession Number

2010.016.013

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

Former Speaker Henry Clay’s death led to an outpouring of grief at the loss of a legislative titan. Public memorial exercises and parades in several cities followed his funeral. Ribbons like this one were pinned on the lapel, serving the same purpose as a black armband. This particularly detailed example was worn by a member of the Whig Party. The design included several excerpts from Clay’s speeches surrounding his image.

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