Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-05-07
LETTER FROM MIR. STUART.

The following eloquent letter was written by the
Hon. A. H. II. Stuart, to The Young Mems Clay
Association in New York, in reply to an invitation
to be present at their annual festival.
WAsHIrGTor, April 1lth. I
GENTLEMEN regret that my public duties will
prevent any accepting your kind Invitation to unite
with you in the celebration of the birth day Of Hen
nv Clay 1t is compliment worthily bestowed. In
nv opinion there is no living Statesman who has
stronger claims on the admration the gratitude and
the affection of his countrymen My first essay in
political life, was in his support for the Presidency;
and twenty years observation of his character and
conduct, in public and private life, has served 10
give additional strength to the confidence, and res
pect, and affection, which in early youth, concei-
we'd tor him as statesman and gentleman. Two
years ago, though he had filled the measure Of
his fame, and thai it would be impossible for him II
add to The splendor of his renown and must &C
knowledge it was with feelings akin 10 regret, that
saw him, after having passed the age of three
score and Ten, again enter upon the theatre of ac-
tive exeriion, 10 mnge in the fierce strife politics
with men in the full vigor of life But well re
member a conversation which had, about that
time. with the distinguished orator and statesman
Of South Carolina, William c. Preston, upon tho
condition and prospects of the country Laborng
as he then was, under the effects of painful and
oppressive disease, he was disposed 10 look upon the
aspect of affairs with dependency. His far-sight-
ed saga ,ily enabled him to foresee the gathering
storm, and as he described the clouds that were
lowering on the horizon he exclaimed, s'the only
ray of hope thai perceive for our distracted coun-
try, is the presidence of Henry Clay in the Senate!
1t is true, can hardly tell how any human agency
is to avert the ills that seem almost inevitable; yet
such is his wonderful ability great are his pow
ers Of persuasion-and have witnessed so many
displays Of his almost miraculous capacity for con-
ciliation, that can never despair, whilst he is in
the councils of the nation" give the substance Of
what he said, though cannot pretend TO recall the
eloquent and impressive language in which his
thoughts were expressed. But we'll recoeci the
impression that was left on my mind, and the con-
ISOLATION and hope which derived from the inter
view.
How signaly have his prophecies been fulfilled
If Henry Clay had been absen, from The Senate
Chamber, VINO will say that the fiaiernal bonds
which now unite the States Of our glorious coned-
eracy, would not have been uptured Who will
say that if he had remained at Ashland, the roar Of
hostile cannon would not have ere this been heard
in our country! But need not enlarge on his re-
cent services as the great pacifcaof between the
North and South. They are too fresh in the re-
membrance of every one to require more extended
notice. All honor then 10 the man who had the
courage TO throw himselfinto The deadly breach, and
TO lead on the champions of the Union IN the glo-
rious Struggle for the Constitution What need
of applause can be 100 great to be awarded TO the
self sacrificing deyotion-lhe comprehensive pat
riotism--the profound wsdom-tie truly national
craftsmanship, which marked out the great sys-
TEN of compromise which has saved Us from frat
ricida war and preserved our unity as naton.-
And then let me not be understood as deiracling
from the iust-merits Of other noble compatriots.-
For without the battle axes of Webster and Cass.
and the irenchant blades of Fooie, Dickinson and
Douglass, all The almost superhuman efforts Of Clay
would have been in vain. In doing honor then to
him let not his gallant companions in arms be for
gotten. Let party feeling be buried for time at
least in oblivion, whilst all hearts and tongues do
homage TO the men who threw aside all minor DIT
ferences and presented an unbroken and impenetIa-
Bile line 10 The enemies of the Union.
CUBAN ExpEDiTloN.-The Newark Advertiser
Of the Ist instant has letter from jacksonville,
East Florida, under date Of 18th ult, which says
1t is evident that there are several points OF de-
pariure along the Gulf Coast at New Orleans and
ST. Mary's aad from ST. Johns river, Florida
There are six steamers al least and probably 200 or
800 men, Savannah is the head quarters OF opera
lions on the Atlantic side. was shown letter from
General Gonzalez, a week ago, dated at Savannah 4,
directing The movements fmen aud military stores,
but believed that il might be an attempt to divert
pubIlc attention from some other quarter.
II is now plain that the many evidences OF a
movement in the States bordering the Gulf OF Mex
ion Indicate a invasion OF Cuba, which will be at
tempted before this reaches YOU The expedition
will undoubtedly sail in the course OF twenty four
or thirty, six hours large quantity OF tor'ge Ia
mong which was 800 or 400 bushels Of oats) was
deposited here the day before yesterday, and this
morning saw put Into the same storehouse, can
non. gun carriages. rifles, muskels, ammunition,
and the furniture of an army equipment 10 very
LARGE amount have never seen 50 many impe-
ments of war, except in an arsenal. Large guam
titles of wood and rosin for the fuel on board OF The
steamers, and horses and men are collected IN ihls
immediate vicinity, ready for embaTkallon. "A siea-
mer is expected from New York tomorrow.
This expedition would appear to be much better
appointed, manned and oficered, than the one that
landed at Cardenas. General Qnitman is said to
command, and Lopez to be the second
am told that $4,000 worth ofjewery, and
$4,000 in money, was sent 10 Gen. Lopez, the
other day, from Havana. and that $4,000 was
contributed by rich planter, who is regarded at
home as favorable to The government. The agents
here seem to have plenty of money, and to spend
it freely. They have several ways to raise The
wind. One by the issue Of bonds, 10 be redeemed
if the expedition is successful: another by the sale
of commissions A Lieutenancy was offered to
brother of Gen. Shields, it is said at Savannah, tor
ST. 900, with promise of $4,000 worth of bonds.
The citizens here have given the enterprise no
direct encouragement, and no United States Officer
here has the right TO interfere. There is no w. ,.
Marshal here. The thing is looked upon generally
as chimeriea, and until they saw these waTIlke
preparations and military stores, generally dlscredl-
ted it.
The New York Sun says:-"A few days more
will bring US important news, which may probably
convince our New York U. >. officers, that what
they discovered and conquered, was not, as we
said before, The Cuban Expedition, or intended to
he such. We have several copies Of addresses and
bulletins, the publication Of which we must hold
over"
An AMERICAN GRACE DARLNG.-The New
York Sunday Messenger notices young, intelligent
and interesting woman, residing within sixty miles
of New York, who has, with the assistance OF an
aged and infirm father, saved twenty one lives
within the last fifteen years. The following par
tculars are given
kate Moore is the daughter of Capt. Moore, who
keeps the Light House on Fairwealher island, sit
uated midway between the harbors Of Black Rock
and Bridgeport, Comm The Island contains five
acres of land, and is about half mile from The
shore. Many disasters, il is known, have occurred
to vessels driven round MDntauk Point in storm,