Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-04-20

\ The CLAY BIRTHDAY FEsrIvAL.--The
Festival in commemoration of the Birthday Of
the illustrious statesman, the venerable and
yencrated Sage Of Ashland, was held Wednes-
day evening by the Wings of New York at
The Apollo Saloon. At s o'clock the compa-
ny, numbering at least five hundred of the
staunch and ardent friends Of Henry CLAY, sat
down to sumpiuous and elegant repast.--
The room was decorated with American flags,
and banners bearing appropriate notices, and
( a fine band occupied the orchestra, playing at
intervals during the evening the most popular
and spirit-stirrng music. Over the head of
the President hung handsome banner on
which was painted portrait of Henry CLAY,
with the notices, "JusTIcE TO HENRY CLAY"
and "PRoTBcTIoN TO AMERICAN INDUSTRY"
PHILIP w. ENGs presided at the table, as
sisted by large number Of Vice Presidents.
After the cloth was removed speeches were
made and number of letters read from in
vited guests who could not be present. A
mong the letters read was one from Martin
Van Buren, which we copy. 1t shows how
highly our political opponents value the man
'who had rather be right than be President"
New YoRK, April 7, lSis.
GENTLEMES-I have had the honor to re-
ceive your polite invitation for the 18th inst,
and thank you very sincerely for the obliging
terms in which you have been pleased to com
municate the wishes Of your associates.
| hone to be able In leave the citv befnro the
l2th inst, but candor requires me to add that
the position in which Mr.. CLAY has been
placed by his friends in relation to the pending
canvass for the Presidency, will unavoidably
attach TO much OF a PARTISAN character to your
festival to permit me to participate in IT consist,
emily with my views OF propriety. The rule
that have prescribed to myself in such mat
ters would induce me to decline an invitation
given under like circumstances by my political
friends
do not, however, regret that your polite
ness has made it proper for me to say, that
you do no more than justice to my feelings in
assuming that appreciate as they deserve the
commanding talent and manly frankness which
have SO often been displayed by your distin-
guished friend in the councils of the nation
and that | have sufficient candor and liberality
TO recognize those characteristics in political
opponent. To you who understand the mat
ter, it would be superfuous tosp-ak of the very
wide difference of opinion which has for so ma
ny years, existed, and does still exist, between
Mr.. CLAY and myself in regard 10 al |
most every public question. But we are for
tunately too liberal to suffer such difference to
affect injuriousy our personal relations. 1t
would essentially diminish my seli-respect TO
believe that | am capable Of claiming, as ! al |
ways have done, the utmost freedom of opn- |
ion for myself and unjust enough to deny the |
slme privilege to those who are opposed TO |
me. To enbtter the few enjoyments which |
public life affords by an indulgence in sent- /
mcnt so contracted and illibera, is weakness
which it is my happiness to believe have |
been as free from as the infrmltes of our ma
ture will permit. My personal relations with |
Mr. Clay are of n very friendly character, and
| have witnessed the recent demonstration of
personal regard and political devotion on the |
part of his friends in this city with no other
feelings than those of respect. a determna-
ton so earnest and unyielding, to sustain as
long as public station is agreeable to him, an l
aged statesman who has spent large portion
of his life in upholding principles which those
who exhibit that determination regard as hav-
ing the public good for their object, is de-
at once honorable to those who
make it, and well calculated to instil into the \
minds of the Young men Of the country higher
and purer motives for political action than those
which mere party warfare too often elici,s.-I
am, gentlemen, very respectfully your obi
sev't, NJ. VAN BUREN. \