The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-13

Great Celebration or Henry Clay's Birth
Extraordinary Manifestations or Feeling
singular Developments.
The fourth celebration of the birthday of Henry
Clay took place at the Apollo Saloon last evening,
under the management of the 'young whigs," as
an association of the particular friends and admir-
ers of that eminent gentleman are styled. An UNI
usually large number of guests assembled, and all
seemed to be animated by extraordinary degree
of enthusiasm The arrangements were excellent,
and the entertainment, so tar as the viands were
concerned, got up IN the usual good style of the
proprietor of the rooms
About eight O'Clock the party sat down to supper.
There were about SIX hundred gentlemen at the
| tables
N B. BLUNT, ESQ., ofHciatcd President, assisted by
| the following Vice presdents:-
Nicholas Dean. James X. Wood M D. A. @. Peck
| ham, Jos. M Price, William s. Duke, John T. Dodge
David webb, Smith Eastman, A. w. White Bene-
diet Lewis, Jr Daniel Ullman, NJ r. Brewer.
After brief but vigorous general sault the
edibes enlvened by the occasional popping Of cham
paigne-
He ho ped that his night hand might forget its cunning
when he ceased to remember the honor bestowed
him this occasion He looked through tho long Wis
tn Of the past to the time when Henry Clay (Iere
the cheers absolutely dcaening and drowned the
reer of the boy Of the Sashes" (Terrc cheer
ng) They had observe: him while yet q minor, ad-
mted practice the glorious profession of tho law in
Virginia. Great applsuse) They had seen his
triun plant progress in the State Of Kentucky,
which had cast her broad and impenetrable
shield around him (Cheers) But he need not pur-
the Of that illustrious man-the champion
in Congress of free trade and saors' rights. Zap
plausej The nogotiator of the treaty Of Ghent-in
the the opponent of the enemies Of
the constuion-the pacifcator Of civil dscord-the
assistant of The venerated Adams-in all stations he
had left tho impress of his great the hist ~
of his country. Great appause) But he would OF
pursue the theme. r after generations the 10
fhao Of tI. osa.
out entire continent wherever freedom planted her
eagles the of Henry Clay would DO hailed the
and would live in the hearts his countrymen Pos
tery would do him justice, and brand with dishonOr
those who had deserted him (Territc chcers) He
then gave the first regular toast -
The Twelfth Of April, 1777.-We commemorate
it rs the birth day Of patriot without guile, and
statesman without reproach"
Music" Here's to you, Harry Clay"
Drank with tremendous applause-nine times nine
and one cheer moro.
Then came tho second regular toast -
henry Clay-ro you with sincerity and disin-
of fidelity upon this joyful occasion, and millions
throughout the Union re-echO our pledge"
Music" Aud Lang Syne"
Ihunders OF applause
The CHAIRMAN then read the following letter of Mr..
Clay, in reply to tho invitation Of the Committee Of
Arrangements -
ASHLAND, April 0, 1910.
GEHTLEMEN-I received, last evening, your ofica
letter stating the purpose of few OF my friends in
New York. to celebrate my approaching birthday, and
inviting my attendance on tho occasion
Feeling that this honor far transcends any merit
possess the value Of any public services
formed nevertheless deeply affected by it. and
cognse in 1t proof of friendship which excites in my
sentiments of profound gratitude and
ness. / pray you, gentlemen, to accept yourselves,
and to tender to your associates of my
great obligations and Of my cordial and respectful
acknowledgements
Waving other considerations as have just termi-
mated long voyage and long absence from home, it
Is net in my power as you anticipated to accept your
Reciprocating with all my. heart, your obliging
wishes for my health and happiness, am, most truly
and faithfully, your grateful friend
Messers. NJBowditch Blunt, Willis Hall, Benjamin
Drake, P. W. Engs, and 8, j. Eastman.
The aiding of this letter ELECTED perfect tornado
of applausecries of Here's to you Harry Clay -and
the singing of the following ode, in the choruses of
which the whole company united SO as to make tho
welkin ring:
Hail to our old Commander,
Our glorious Harry Clay
Once with heartfelt welcome
We greet his natal day.
We truckle not to power,
We bend slsvsh knee,
But to the patriot true yield
The homage OF the free.
What though falsehearted factions
Have leagucd to do him wrong
Triumphant in the might of truth
He towers above tho throng.
Mid the scathings of the lightning.
Tho howlings Of the storm
Like the old oak Of the forest,
Still stood erect his form.
In the days of tho old wing battles,
When blows fell fierce and FAST
Beneath our ancient standards folds
Fought our Harry to the last
Like the stag long coursed by hunters
Through the tangled forests path
To his ancient lair returned again,
He scorns dehcs, their wrath.
Then h to old commander
Our noble Harry Clay
In social glee with three times three,
We greet his natal day.
After the enthusiasm Of the company had quenohed
itself in equivocs brandy and water and champagne
w q dOuh IN tha hair fbo
next toast
"our Country and its Second Declaration Of Inde-
should be the credentials of seamen.' H Cleyn
Music" The Star Spangled Banner"
Then came tho next toast
"1he President and Vice President Of the United
States"
Music" Presidents March,
Received with little enthusiasm Az last some patriot
shouted "Threo cheers for Zachary Taylor ~ to which
the response was somewhat doubtful Thon q
wild cry-"Three cheers for Harry Clay" and the
shouting stamping and screaming that followed
absolutely deafenng.
Tho CHAIRMAN then read the following letter from
the President Of tho United States
WARRINGTON, D. c., April TO- 1849
Gentlemen Your favor Of the 5th inst. inviting
to attend celebration Of the birthday of Mr. Clay
just received. 1t would afford pleasure to join
you on that occasion, and assist in doing honor to
distinguished patriot, whose history is identified with
the honor and fame of his country tho urgency of
official duties renders it impossible for the
seat of government at this time am, therefore com
PEELED with regret decline the courteous invitation
which you have been deputcd to send to me-
remain with respect, your obcdient servant,
u. TAYLOR.
N. D. Blunt, and others. New York
Three cheers then called for for the Presdent
OF the United States" to which there tolerably
decent response and it subsidized tho Same wild ory
was heard from the foot Of OF the tables Three
cheers for Harry Clay" @Hurrah hurrah hurrah
ha ha ha!
The next toast was
"1he Memory Of Washington.- Men blush there
was but one.'n
Drank IN solemn silence
MIR. ULMAr responded He pronounced glowing eu-
logium on the character Of Washington, 10 whom he
compared the ilustrous Zachary Taylor (Cheers and
voice, Bad taste ~ "Oh hush'D The soil Of Anne
RIGA had been fertile in great men-Frankn, Jefferson
Hamilton, Webster Clay That . galaxy Of I'M
equalled splendor. (Cheers) Tho gentleman pro-
ceeeded at great length to euogse the character and
services of Washington to the evident delight of the
company, who would gladly have heard him at least
six hours longer.
Then came tho sixth regular toast-a perfect |
scrt amer"
"1he Boast Of America--Freedon. To preserve |
its consistency, the soil of newly acquired territory
should not be marked by the footsteps