Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-11-10
Henry Clay.

Dus seFetdi HVtal0ns had been sen. oui heC,rs
Mr.. Clay was heard from, and to one of ,ba.,
Hon. EPHRAIM II. FOSTER Of Tennessee >.
turned the following spirited and truthful ;.
ply:
NASHVILLE, Sept. 80, 1871.
GENTLEMEN: / acknowledge. with mv m
feigned thanks for The compliment. your no,e #
the Isl inst. inviting me 10 attend festival
10 be given IN your vicinity, ON the 7:h Of neu
month, and 10 join my "Kenuckv friends in ex.
pressions of confidence and regard for the pre.
eminent service rendered by the Hon HENgv
CLAY, 10 The great Wing cause Of America.
during the recent session Of Congress"
If | know my heart Alright, my zeal in sup
port OF the cause and the principles YOU pro-
pose chiefly to honor by ynur festival, had i.S
origin In the most solemn and patriotic ccnyic-
Mons. Recent unioward evenlS, unfapplv CAL
culated TO impede for moment the onward
march OF that cause and Tie speedy operation
OF one OF It's most vital principles-in<pire. rs.
iher than abaie my ardor. Nly motto is. that
nothing is done, while any tlnng remains 10 he
done The pleasure therefore, Of par,iclparnp
with you on an occasion so proper in itself, and
at the same time, so full of justice 10 the .pre
eminent claims of grsa! and distinguished
public servant would not suffer me 10 excuse
myself by any commonplace apology; aud
regret exceedingly, he indispensable duties
here, which compel me 10 foTego a qualification
would otherwise eagerly embrace But The
opportunity suits, and the necessities thai plead
my absence from your meeting, do no, deny
me ample leisure TO drop passing tribute 10
the character and the fearless spirit of your IL
lustrious guest.
For more than thirty years past, The history
of Mr. Clay's life Is conspcuously interviewer
in almost every page Of his country's history;
and although 1t has accorded with the dictates
of my humble judgment 10 differ with him on
some of the essential topics tia, have divided
the public attention, have, nevertheless, en-
terlained for him personally, sentiments OF pro-
found admiration. In the erd, when these ex-
citing questions were settled or superseded by
others of far greater magnitude, and diversity
Of opinion or determinations, changed the rela
tons of former political associates, found
myself, with great multitude Of my ancient
friends, battling at his side, and successfully
struggling with party, mainly headed and sus-
ained by the unconquerabe energies of his en-
inent and truly gifted mind. In this honorable
alliance, mrestrained intercourse has
satisfied me of the purity of his political life
and | do not any longer hesitate in subscribing
TO those extraordinary and unriyaled virtues
which give him the enviable pre-eminence it's
now his fortune 10 enjoy.
Honest of purpose, and We, not more honest
than determined, Mr., Clay scorns both subter-
fuge and contriyance; and preferring defeat 10
j,1 bo k,,1alxy hiS o1u
in open field He practices that frankness
which others enly boast, and his firmness, bor-
dering on the ex,1eme of that necessary virtue,
is seldom persuaded 10 yield or 10 temporse,
although 1t might be, that timely appearance
of submission, would purchase the success o.
an enterprise. Such conceive him TO be-
the man YOU design 10 honor by yeur festival
citizen destined To be ever iIlus,rious in The
annals of the Republic.
! 1t had been better, perhaps. for himself and
the country. if ne had early learned TO conceal
an excess Of honorable emotion, which alone
has hitherto checked his high career; better
by far, for that same country, if the people
would happily resolve in their selections for
exalted station, 10 pass by the faults of an IN
geniouS nature, and prefer man for the acts
OF MS lIIe, IdlleT iNdIl ldhe aNO+lISi ub H1''l"
professions. In the one way We have secu-
rity which seldom fails us--In The other, there
/ lies not unfrequenily, beneath plausible sur
face, a hidden purpose Of ambition, which kiss
es but to betray, and then beirays without 4
! blush. Under government like ours. where
the national fabric literally rests upon popular
confidence and affection, examples of The latter
kind destroy the public temper. and lessen the
chances of success in our great political eXperi-
ment And it. unfortunately the history Of the
day in which We lave. may be supposed 10 un-
fold a precedent, closely allying itself with
these pernicious examples, may we not indulge
confident hope, tha, an intelligent and sell
governing people will, in due season, detect
the alarming abuse, and in the signal PUNISH
ment OF It's guilty authors, correct an evil when
strikes at the root of our free institutions.
tender to the assembly that shall surround your
festive board, the salutaiions of distant friend
who is with them in heart and sentiment, and
TO yourselves individually, assurances OF the
sincere and unqualified regard of,
Dear Sirs, Yours, truly,