New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-04-15
Dr. D. F,ouei. Bacon Chairman Of he con,aiiie4 &c:
From Hon. John II. Clayton.


SENATE CHAMBER, WASHINGTON. D. c.,
April 9th, 1876
Dea, Sir: | have the honor 10 acknowledge the re-
ceIp, of your kind letter OF the 2Sth u in behalf OF the
COMMITTEES of for the celebration OF the
birthday OF Henry Clay in the City Of NewYork invi-
ting me attend the festival at Niblos Saloon. on the
evening OF Monday the 18th met
Engagements Of An imperative character put it out OF
my power attend this festival. But must be permit
ted say that my whole heart concurred in what you
state be the sole object of 1.-THE expression OF the
permanent feelings of s,tschmentto M Clay which az.
mates his unchanged and interchangeable friends and
rejoice TO learn a, designed that his birthday shall
hereafter be commemorated from year 10 year.
The principles OF which Mr.. Clay was. during the
whole OF his long public the most able and ell
cet advocate those peculiar doctrines with which his
name mac been identified for than thirty years are
destined in spite Of all temporary reverses arising out
of the party trumphs OF the day 10 stand and be pee
ua,ed as the principles upon which the Government oil
this country will he administered through AGES 10 come.
IL is not impossible that among the events Of this Con
eress be the temporary prostratlon OF the Protect
i've SYSTEM though its friends will never despair OF saw
ing some OF lis essential features amidst the most
violent frenzy Of party. Let that system fall when Il
may like the strong man OF lsrael 1t VIII bury It's enc
mics beneath the elements OF lis own dissolution. II if
indeed with all due Difference for the opposite opn
ions am compelled 10 say impossible iha, this Govern
ment be long administered upon any other principle
and were our Republican system 10 be shattered 10
atoms tomorrow no other form Of government would
be substituted in it's place without recurrence to the
same vital principle Let not the friends OF Domestic Ia
Dor despair should their policy be nowemporary sbsn
doned by the madness OF party 1t will Use again with
renewed vgor like Antfus from his fall and with every
fresh triumph over It's enemies, the name OF Henry
Clay the Father of the American System will become
more deeply engraved upon the hearts Of his country
men he Ia in private life removed from the shafts
and storms ofparty strife He may never emerge from
it, But there never moment during his long life
in which his fame more justly appreciated. or his
character ardenty admired and honered than the
present Maignity itself has been disarmed and even
the calumnator often mourns over the ruins OF
Nations hopes pros,rated for time by his own exer
lions Every year adds fresh evidence in vndication OF
the motives and character OF this tee greatest Statesman
of the age.
'Crescit occulto, vclut erbor Heyo.
Fama Msrcei-'
Let then his name be embslmed in the memory Of his
counrymen Let their gratitude and affection cheer him
in the decline Of life Let History record the virtues and
services the Orator and Patriot and let the anniversR
~ his birth be celebrated by his counymen MS long
the Republic shall endure.
have the honor TO be, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
JOHN NJ. CLAYTON.
Dr. Franeis Bacon. Esq Chairman Of The Committee Of
ArrGn8emenis SC. Carlton House, Ne,c- York.