New-York tribune., 1841-10-30
HENRY CLAY.


The ci,izens Of Lexington, Va. recestly invited
Mr. Clay 10 partake with them Public Dinner
which he felt constrained to decline. But several
invitations had been sent out before Mr.. Clay was
heard from. and to one of them Hon. EPHRAIM h.
FosrIR of Tennessee returned the following spir-
tied and truthful reply
Grs7LExrs: | acknowledge, with my unfeign-
ed thanks for the compliment, your note OF the
2lst inst inviting me to attend a festival, 10 be
given in YOUR vicinity, on the 9TH Of next month,
and 10 ioin nv Kentucky friends in expressions
Of confidence snd regard for the preeminent SER
vices rendered by the Hon. HESRY CLAY to the
great Wing cause of America, during the recent
session of Congress
If | know my heat Alright, my zeal in support
of the and the principles you propose chiefly
70 honor your festival. mad its origin in the mos,
solemn and patriotic convictions. Recent unto
ward events, unhappy calculated 10 impede FOR
moment the onward march OF that cause and the
speedy operation of one of its most vital princ-
ples-inspire rather than abale my ardor. My
motto is, that nothing is done, while any thing
mains TO be done The pleasure therefore. OF par
tcipating with yon on an occasion proper in II
self and the same time, SO full Of justice to tho
prc-eminent claims OF great and distinguished
public servant, would not suffer me to excuse my
self by any commonplace apology; AID ! regret
exceedingly, the Indispensable duties here, which
compel me 10 forego qualification | would other
wise eagerly embrace. But the opportunity suits,
and the necessities that plead my absence from
your meeting, do not deny me ample leisure 10
drop passing tribute to the character and the
fearless spirit of your illustrious guest.
,,l,:- a. e
Mr. Claws life is conspcuously interviewer in al
most every page Of his country's history; and
although ii has accorded with the dictates of my
humble judgement 10 differ with him on some OF
the essential topics that have divided the public a.
tantion, have nevertheless, ever entertained for
him personally, sentiments ofprofound admiration.
In the end, when these exciting Questions were
settled or superseded by others tiar greater mag
nitude and diversity OF opinion or determination,
changed the relations offormer political associates,
| found myself, with great multitude OF my an
cient friends, battling at his side, and successfully
struggling with party, mainly headed and sus-
tained by the uncoaquerable energies Of his emf
nent and truly gifted mind In this honorable al
lance more unres,rained intercourse has salts
fed me OF the purity of his political llie and | do
not any longer hesitate in subscribing 10 those e3-
,raordinary and unrivaled virtues which give him
enjoy.
Honest of purpose, und yet not more honest
than determined, Mr. Clay scorns both subterfuge
and con,rivance; and preferring defeat 10 duplici
w. he boldly encounters his adversary in open field.
He practices that frankness which others only
boast, and his frmness, bordering the extreme
of that necessary virtue is seldom persuaded TO
WELD or 10 temporise, although it might be, that
timely appearance of submission would purchase
the success of an enterprise. Such conceive him
to be--the nun you design to honor by your esti
va--a citizen destined to be illus,rious in the
annals Of the Republic.
1t had been better, perhaps, for himself and the
country, If ne had carly learned to conceal ex-
cess of honorable emotion which alone has hither-
to checked his high career better, by Tar, tor that
same country, if the people would happily resolve,
in their selections for exalted station, TO pass by
the faults OF an ingenious nature, and prefer man
for the acts Of his life rather than take another
untried professions In the one way have
security which seldom fails us-in the other, there
lies not unfIequently, beneath plausible surface
a hidden purpose of ambition, which kisses bat TO
betrav and then be,rays withou, blush. Undera
government like ours where the national fabric lit
orally rests upon popular confidence and affection,
examples of the latter kind DESTROY the public tenn
per and lessen the chances OF success IN our great
political experiment. And if, unfortunately, the
history of The day in which we live, may be sup
posed to unfold precedent, closely allyiag itself
with these pernicious examples, may we not m
duge confden, hope that an intelligent and self
governing people will, in due season, detect the
alarming abuse, and in the signal punishment OF
its guilty authors, correct an evil which strikes at
the root of our free institutions. tender TO tho
assembly that shall surround your festive board,
the Solicitations of distant friend, who is with them
in heart aud sentiment and to yourselves ndiyidu-
allv assurances of the sincere and unqualified re-
gard Of Dear Sirs, Yours truly,
EPHRAIM H. FOSTER.
To The Committee of Invitation.
TsE AyIsrAp ArRlcANs.-The Mendian Com
mit,ee have made another appeal for funds to send