The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-24

The following circular was addressed by the
committee 10 distinguished gentlemen in different
sections OF the Union
New YoRK, Jan. 40, 1851
The Union safety Committee intend to eelebrsts the
approaching 22d OF February by uniting with their
fellow citizens at . public dinner, In honor Of that
The Birthday OF washington, like the sirthd.y o.
confederscy, will be remembered ana Kept -
festival by grateful posterity throughout oil time
OF the peculiar fitness and proprsty Of recurring With
fondness and admiration, to the character OF ths .
advice that 70 Nay renew our recollection Of the viz
tues and the vslor the sufsrings and tho sacrifices
the Love Of country and Of enduring fame, that com
bined 20 achieve the liberties We enjoy.
Our republic advances with rapid strides, augment
ing s population and extending It's bounds and We
sl continually reminded of the urgent necessity
for rslyEg around the principles of Washington that
may be rendered more sensibly alive to the price
guard Of our rights and Of that Union which made
aDo preserves US Is nation:
leave respectfully to ask to favor US with your
presence this festive occasion have tho honor
to be your obedient servsntS
Y. ). LArHRoP, FRAscs GarPis,
Moss TAYLOR, \. X. CoLLss,
Henry GRiNsELL, CHARLEs g. CARLEroSi.
Isaac townsend, Joshua J. HEsRy,
&c. WETMoRE, GEORGE DOUGLASS.
In reply TO the oregoiag, the following letters
were received by the Committee -
FROM HENRY CLAY.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL, 1851
Gentlemen: Il have received your letter informing
OF the intsnio OF the Union Safety Committee
New hosk TO celebrate the approaching anniversary o!
the birthday Of Washington by public dinner, and
inviting me TO attend It, And express the motives
which prompt the desire to distinguish the occasion
by unusual demonstrations. heartily concur in all
OF them Ii Is highly refreshing to recur, sometimes
to tLe great PRINCIPLES on which our Union has been
Among these the Father of his eounry stands out in
boio prominent, and uDrivalled relief To his wise
,ounsels We may with perfect confidence, repair, to
uvigorate patriotism and to stimulate highest
txertions In the support OF that Union which 1t wac
| his noble am bition to achieve and perPetuate.
In surveying the actual condition Of country
Dug not to shut eyes TO the dangers which en-
Sstee should not be disguised that there is existing
spirit OF opposition to the constitution and laws,
which, II il be not checked and dscountenanced, may
| lead 10 the most cslamiteus consequences On the
other IN single State from opposite there Il.
like 'pirit prevailing to great extent threatening,
more ediately the peace and safety OF the Union,
sbsy depend the procesd ings Of State
In favor, myself, OF the supremacy of the con-
stitution OF tie Union, and of the laws equally
opposed TO all attempts violate endsuger them
from Whatever quarter they may proceed hope that
the opponents OF the gener. government will solemn.
y psu,e before they to make forcible resist
aDce TO its lawful operation. No enc living would
depor. than .hould the she dding Of blood in civil
var But II regardless of the most sacred obligation.
anu all sequences. the standard Of resistance to
the LAYS ant % rebellion against the common govern
ment should be raised have doubt that 1t will be
promptly ana efectually put dewn and that the moral
effect would be TO add greater strength and stability
TO our glorious Union OF that Union have not time,
II the oecarion 1T to cay all that feel and think.
IL nbodiss all that Il great and grand and glorious,
hroug hout the whole civilized world Destroy it. and
break up into stty, jealous and belgerent frag-
mspts, ana there IL melancholy humiliation OF all
the bright and cheering antirpstions of mankind.
Gentlemep. you have devoted yourselves to the
noble cause % the Union, and the compromises
which il depends. You have already RENDERED import
ant and patriotic service which whole country
ought to be thankful 90 on; fearlessly move on
Triumph and universal gratitude await your patriotic
tx.rtioBs!
,hould be mo-. happy to be with yor on the ever
memorable go Of Pebrusry but my public duties here
will not allow the enjoy OF that high satisac-
ton WITH great respect aud regard am ySqr ODE
FROM LEWIS cAss.
wAaasoroS, Feb. Is, 1851
Pesrus,y as time 5ss the the esn e.opl. to come e.
togethsr to Interchange congratulations upon the
upon the birth day of him, whose oounsels and COZ
duct were under Providence, among the principal
causes Of their acquisition The day and the object
are in beautiful unison; and though 1 cannot accept
your Invitation yet heart will be with you; for In
devotion to the Unian and in reverence FOR the
whose wsrniBg voice 10 It's defence speaks to
iicm the toDb yield to Of all the mighty throng
who on that day and from to ocean, will thank
I'D that he gave then such a country to lore and
such seounrymsn to Initiate In life. and to honor IN
dssth leader In war, ruler in peace, and frst In
both and alwajs patriot citizen, obeyng the Law
like tbs bUnbsst even when clothed with the highest
authority accepting power With reluctance, and sur
rendering IL With slscrity. he guided his country
through the perious cri'is Of the revolution, and
through the stu more ptrious crisis threatening ci
vii anarchy that followed it, till his hopes laberr
were eTovn'd BY constitution and Union, which In
the expressive lsugusv- Of our own armoral SCROLL
have made ne one ffom ma ny and which govern
and protect mighty com munity, reaching from the
Altar tic TO the Pacific and enjoying larger measure
Of prosperity in poss-son, and Of greatness in
prospect than bfore fell TO the lot of people
He bss passed the great trial Of human opinion, and
history has pronon pom his career AMI
his character ana Of M The roes and statesmen the
memory Of whose deeds has not persisted with their
Gays and whose nsmss are Inscribed upon the long
annals ~ mankind the highest and the purest 10 tho
name ofwssningtsn.
Our liberties we're purchased by toll, and trial and
trouble and by taorbces In fs and OF life itself rare
sysu In tire most rplsndd efforts Of human patriotism
IL II good while look around upon our prososritv
ard greatness 70 look back upon their feeble origin
to the services and sU1erDgs Of fathers and OF
hun who led the sad who justified the confidence of
bis eeuntry. by life devoted to her cause. And es-
Teeially s II good thus to contemplate the present
aud 20 recall the past, when strange doctrines arc
ahrtat when that present Is pronounced oppressive
and the future iptolsrshls ana the evils whether felt
or spprsbendeo, only 10 he avered by the dissolution
o. the confederacy and the breaking up the govern
mept. In the farewell address the most impressive
monument Of widen and patriotism ever bequeatheC
by citizen TO bis country, the retiring statesman
might disturb Union ana especially those section
al Feelings psepsrsbis indeed from extensive com
nnnity which when once excited by seass Of inju-
OF wisdom and moderation. But he did not foresee8
ard history furnishes such example, that in tim,
ty .ueh q, he sun never sbOns upon, With pow.
enough TO protect Ourselves sganst the world an,
With system lsw, which i'm poses AZ fev restraint
upon individual freedom a. IL compatible with .osis
all ana directed by all. and which assures to eao
equal rights ard equal hopes In its administration
and with future the moot glorious, II not mar
ed BY our own disseptions that ever invited
people TO exert thsir ensfgier, offering the riches
rewards ior their encourage ment With all thee
motives Tor national pride and qualification, ques
items have arisen tor decision, which, bv assumiu
seetior nj character hsve given rise to an exctenen
heretofore unknown In our history and which thresi
tnec TO dtttroy our mssnidcent political edince, nt
svhg one ttone upon another to make the bsaut
The 6etigp, or the skil Of the bull ders. when IN
bet.rt aud the JORDAN parsed and We have rsasi
90 the promstd lsno ~e hear the porteutous cry
youf tents Oh lusel.n And called upon
HLd ssundr this gre at confederation and to soatts
is fIasments TO the four winds OF lea ysu com mittr
Vs destinios 10 the vsyssrd passions OF rival 40
lnoepend ut communiiss who vill have points enoug
OF contact for The future we'll position aud CHI
fscter ~ Ia iD.te-t snd recolections enough of
or msgipHrJ injuries Of the past to excite all tho
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