The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-26


/ anniversary Of the birthday of Washin gton, by
1 public dinner and inviting me TO attend IL. Ans
4 you express the motives which prompt the desir.
to distin guish the occasion by unusual demonstra
tions. Iheartily concur in ali Of them. II is high
! ly refreshing To recur, sometimes, TO the grea
! principles on which our Union has been founded
and to the great men who established Il. Among
those, the Father Of his Country stands out in bold
prominent, and unriyslled relief. To his wise
counsels we may, with perfect confidence, repair
4 to inviRorate our patriotism and 10 smuIate our
highest exertions in tho support Of that Union
which II was his noble ambition 10 achieve and per-
4 petuate.
In surveying the actual condition Of our coun-
try, we ought not 10 shut eyes 20 the dangers
| which encompass it. On the one hand, in some OF
is existing spirit Of opposition to the Constitution
and laws, which, if it be not checked and discoun-
tenanced, may lead 70 the most caiamiteus conse-
quences On the other, in single State, from op-
postc causes. there is like spirit prevailing to
| great extent, threatening more Immediately the
peace and safety Of the Union. so far as they de-
pend on the proceedings Of one State.
IN iayor q me supremacy o. the Constitution. q
TO ailattempts to violate or endanger them, from
whatever quarter they may proceed. nope tna'
tne Opponents Of Ihe General Government wi SOL
emniy pause pelore tney venture 70 make iorcipie
resistance to its lawful operation. No one living
would more depiore than should, the shedding OF
blood IN clvii war. but AZ regardless o. the most
sacred obligations and all consequence. the stand
ard Of fresistance to the laws and Of rebellion against
the common government, should be raised have
no doubt tnat II VIII be promptly and eiicctually
put down. ana ,nat the moral effect would be 70 add
greater strength and stability 70 our glorious Union
VI that Onion nave not time II the occasion We're
Mt 70 say all that feel and think. emDodies all
tnat - great, ana grand, ana glorious, ana all tne
nopes OF the enhghtened iriends OF nperty through
out the whole civiiized worid. Destroy IT,, and
break us up into petty, Jealous, and beigerent
fragments, anu there 70 melancholy annihliation
OF all the bright and cheering anticipaons OF man
kind.
Gentiemen, you have devoted yourselves to the
noble cause OF the Union, and the compromises on
which IT depends. You have already rendered inn
portant and patriotic service, for which the whole
country ought to be thankful Go on; fearlessy
move on! Triumph and universal gratitute await
your patriotic exertions' W
| should be most happy to be with you on the
ever memorable 22nd OF February but my public
duties here will not allow me the enjoyment Of that
high satisfaction
With great respect and regard, am,
Your obcdient servant,
ii. CLAY.
To ineasrs. f. g. Lathrop, Francis Griffin, and
the other members of the Committee &C. &c. &c
WAsuISsros, Feb. ls. 1851.
GErTLEMEs: Happily have yor, chosen The pod
of February as tin,e for the American people to
\ come together, 10 interchange congratulations
upon the political bleesings we enjoy, Tor they will
/ come together upon the birthday Of him whose
counsels and conduct were, under Providence
The dsy and the object are in beautiful unison;
and though I cannot accept your invitation yet
my heart viii be with you, for in devotion to the
! Union, and in reverence for the memory Of the
greatest of its advocates and founders whose warn
| ing voice. in its defence, now speaks to ls from
the tomb, yield 10 none of all the mighty throng
who ON that day, and from ocean to ocean, will
thank God that he gave them such a country to
love- and such countryman 10 initiate in life, and to
honor in DEATH A leader in war, a ruler in peace,
and first in both, and always a patriot citizen,
obeying the law like the humblest. even when
clothed with the highest authority, accepting
| power with reluctance. and surrenderng ii with
alacrity, he guided hia country through the Pc
rilous crisis OF the Revolution, and through the
still more perilous crisis, threatening civil an
archy, that followed 1t, TIL his hopcs and labors
were crowned by n Constitution and Union,
which. in the expressive language Of our own
arrnorial acroll, have made US one from many,
and which now govern and protect mighty com
munity, reaching from the Atlantic TO the Pacific,
and enjoying larger measure Of prosperity in pos
session, and Of true greatness IN prospect than ever
before fell to the lot of people. He has passed the
great trial OF human opinion, and history has pro-
nounced Judgment upon his career and his char
acter, and OF all the heroes and statesmen, the
memory of whose deeds has not perished with
their days, and whose names are inscribed upon
the long annals OF mankind, the highest and the
purest is the name OF Washington ..ss5 -. .
Our liberties were purchased by toll, and trial,
and troubles and by SACRIFICES IN lifc and Of life IT.
self, rare even in the most splendid efforts OF hu
man patriotism. IL is good, while we look around
upon our prosperity and greatness, to look back
upon their feeble origin to the services and suffer
ings OF our fathers, and OF him who led them, and
who justified the confidence Of his country by life
devoted to her cause. And especially is il good
thus TO contemplate the present, and to recall the
past, when strange doctrines are abroad, when that
present is pronounced oppressive, and the future
intoerable, and the evils, whether felt or appre-
hcnded only to be ayerted by the dissolution OF the
Confederacy and the breaking up OF the Govern
ment In the Farewell Address, the most impress
sive monument OF wisdom and patriotism ever be-
queathed by citizen TO his country, the retiring
statesman pointed out with prophetic sagacity the
dangers that might disturb our Union, and espe-
cially those sectional feeiings nseparablc indeed
from an extensive community, which, wien once
excited by sense OF injury or injustice, yield with
difncuity to the suggestions OF wisdom and mode
ration; s
But ne dia not ioresee, and history furnishes nc
such example, that IN time OF profound peace, In
state OF progress and prosperity, such as the sun
never shone upon. with power enough 70 protect