The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-26
THE REPUBLIC.
Letter. - IN. CLAY Fs.s.vaI.


| The New York Erpress adds several inter
dressed to the Clay Festival Association, held
in New York, on the 18th instant, which did
not reach the committee in season to be pub
llshed with the other letters. Among them are
the following
From Hon. II. IL. II. Stuart.
WAsHIsoToN, April 18th.
GENTLEMEN: regret that my public duties will
prevent my accepting your kind invitation to unite
with you in the celebration Of the anniversary of the
birthday OF Henry Clay. Ii is a compliment wor-
thly bestowed. In my opinion there is no living
statesman who has stronger claims on the admira-
ton, the gratitude and the affection of his country
men, My first essay in political life was in bis
support for the Presidency; and twenty years OBJ
servaton OF his character and conduct, in pub
c and private life, has served 10 give additional
strength to the confidence, and respect, and affec
ton, which in early youth conceived for him as
statesman and gentleman. Two years ago ]
thought he had filed the measure of his fame, and
that it would be impossible for him to add to the
splendor of his renown; and must acknowledged
was with feelings akin to regret that saw him, after
having passed the age Of three and ten again
enter upon the theatre of active exerton, to mingle
in the fierce strife Of politics, with men in the full
vigor of life. But well remember a conversation
which had about that time with the distinguished
orator and statesman of South Carolina, William
c. Preston, upon the condition and prospects of the
country. Laboring, rs he then was, under the ef-
fects of painful and oppressive disease, he was
disposed to look upon the aspect of affairs with de-
spondency. His far-sighted sagacity enabled him
to oresee the gathering storm, and, as he described
the clouds that lowering on the horizon, he
exclaimed, "he only ray of hope that perceive for
our distracted country is the presence OF Henry
Clay in the Senate 1t is true, can hardly tell how
any human agency is to the lille that seem al.
most inevitable; yet such is his wonderful ability
SO great are his powers Of persuasion-and have
witnessed 30 many displays Of his almost miracu-
lous capacity for conciliation that can never de-
spair whilst he is in the councils OF the nation"
give the substance of what he said, though cam
not pretend to recall the eloquent and impressive
language in which his thoughts were expressed.
But well recolect the impression that left ON
my mind, and the consolation and hope which l de-
rived from the interview.
How signaly have his prophecies been fulfilled
If Henry Clay had been absent from the Sennte
chamber, who will say that the fraternal bonds
which now unite the States of our glorious Confed-
eracy would not have been ruptured Who will
say that, if he had remained at Ashland, the roar
in our country. But need not enlarge on his re-
cent services as the great pacifcator between the
North and South. They are too fresh in the re-
membrance Of every one to require a moro ex-
tended notice. All honor then to the man who
had the courage to throw himself into the deadly
breach, and to lead on the champions Of the Union
in the glorious struggle for the Constitution
What need of applause be too great to be
awarded to the elf-sacrifcing devotion-the COM
prchensive patrotism-the profound wisdom--the
truly national craftsmanship which marked out the
great system of Compromise which has saved us
from fratricidal war aud preserved our unity as
nation! And then, let me not be understood as de-
tracing from the just merits of other noble COM
patriots; for, without the battle-axes Of Webster
and Cass, and the trenchant blades of Foote, Dick
inson and Douglas, all the almost superhuman eff
forts of Clay would have been in vain In doing
honor then to him, let not his gallant companions
in arms be forgotten! Let party feeling be buried
for time at least in oblivion, whilst all hearts and
all tongues do homage to the men who threw aside
all minor differences and presented an unbroken
and impenetrable line to the enemies of the
Union!