Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-11-01

] r
Foster, Of TsnnesSss.-The Lexington (KyO In.
tetHgeneer says: Although the dinner in honor of
our distinguished ioliOw-citizen was declined, We
have been kindly furnished with the oowin,, let
ter Tor publication, as containing just sentiments
and patriotic views, worthy alike OF the writer and
the occasion"
NASHVILLE, SEPT. 3O,h, IsiI.
Gentlemen; acknowledge, with my unfs gncd
IhanhS Tor the compliment, your note OF the 2Ist in.
stant inviting me 10 attend festival to be given IN
your vicinity, on the 9Th of next month"; and to ion
my "hentueky friends in expressions OF confidence
nnu regard Tor the pre'emnent services rendered by
inc Ron henry Clay, TO the great Wing cause of
America, during the recent session Of Congress-
u Know my heart arght, my zeal in support of
the cause and the principles you propose chiefly 10
honor by your festival, had its origin in the most
solemn and patriotic convictions. Recent unowa ard
events, unhappuy calculated To impede Tor a mo.
meht the onward march Of that Cause and tho spee-
dy operation OF one of Its most vital principles in
spire, rather than Rbltc, my nTdpr Nv n,ot,, is
that "nothlns is done whilst any thns, remains 10 '
DC dcne" The pleasure, therefore, of matchmaking
with you on an occasion SO proper IN itself and NJ
the same time, 80 full Of justice to the 'pre.
claims OF great and distinguished public servant
would not suffer me TO excuse myself by any com
mon-pace apology; and regret exceedingly the
indispensable duties here, which compel mo TO FORE
go stauhcauon | would otherwise eagerly en-
brace. But the opportunity SUITS and the necessi-
ties that plead my absence fom your meeting. do
not deny me ample leisure TO drop Passing tribute
TO the character and the fearless spin, Of your illus.
IrouS guest
For more than thirty years past, the history Of
Mr.. C!ay's life IS conspicuuusly interviewer m al.
most every page OF his country's history; and a.
though Il has accorded with the dictates OF INV hum
Ole judgment, 10 ditier with HIM on some OF the
essential topics that have divided the public atten
ton, have nevertheless, ever entertained for him
personally, sentiments OF profound admiration. In
the end when these exciting questions were settled
or superseded 10y Others OF far greater magnitude
aud diversity OF opinion or determination charrr1
tOtmcF 4
myself, with great multitude OF my ancient friends
battling ut his side, and successfully struggling with
party, mainly headed and sustained 10y the On.
cOnqueTa6le energies OF his eminent and truly of "a
mind. In this honorable alliance, a more upre-
strained intercourse has satisfied me of the purity
OF his political lItei and | do not any longer hest
tate IN subscribing TO those extraordinary and un-
HvaItd virtues which give him the envIabe ore.
emlnence It Is now his fortune to enjoy.
Honest OF purpose, ana yet not more honest than
determined, MIR Clay scorns both subterTuge and
contrivancei and pEeerIng defeat TO dupllcIIy, he
boldly encounters his adversary In an omen field
lie practices thdtirunkness which others only boast
and his hrmness, bordering the extreme OF that
necessary virtue, Is seldom persuaded to Weld or TO
Iemporse although II might be that timely ap-
pearance OF submission would purchase the s,Iccss,
OF an enterprise. Such conceive hun to be-the
man you design TO honor 10y your tcs;iyal-a cltI-
zen destined 10 be IlusIrIous in the annals Of
the Republic. IL had been Oettsr, perhaps for him.
sell and the county, II he had early learned to con-
. =
has hitherto checked his high Career better by fs.
tor that same country, II the people would happily
resolve, IN their selections for exalted station 10 ls
10y the faults OF an ingenious nature, aud prefer
man tor the acts Of his NE rather than take another
on untrIcd professions. In the one way " have. 4
security whcH seldom fails us-In the other, there
ies not unirequ,huy, beneath plausible SUFFICE,
u hidden purpose OF ambition, which kisses out 10
Oetray, anu then OeIrays without a blush. Under
q government Ike ours, where Tie national tturic
literally rests upon popular confidence and rfec
ton, examples of the latter Kind destroy the pub.
ic temper, ana lessen tie chances Of success IN our
great pOcal experiment. And II, unfortunately
The history OF the day ~ which we live, may TIC
supposed To unfold precedent, cO,Ciy yIs itself
with these peTnlcuuS examples, muy we not md ufge
confident nope, that an intelligent and self govern
ing people W %, IN due season, Cttect the Alarming
abuse, and in the signal punishment of It's .uIlty
authors, correct an evil which strikes at the root Of
our free Institutions, | tender to the assembly that
shll! surround your festive board the situations OF
distant friend who is with them in heart and SEN
unent, and TO yourselves individually, assurances
OF the sincere and unqualified regard of
Dear Sis, yours, truly,
EPHRAIM Ii. FOSTER.
To the Committee of Invitation.