The republic., 1851-03-13

From the Nsw York Brprsss. MarchlI
The Grand Clay Ball-Hnthusiastac Recep-
ton OF Mr.. Clay, SO.
The great Clay ball came of last evening, at
Nblo's, and was decidedly the ball Of the season.
The rooms were beautifully and appropriately
decorated for the occasion. In the grand saloon,
Immediately opposite the main entrance,
pended full length portrait Of the great states
man, the frame entwined with the stars and
stripes, and surmounted by an eagle upon the word
"UNIos." Above a banner bearing the following
inscription; al know no North, no South, no East,
no Vest nothing but my country" and beneath
the memorable declaration Of Mr.. Clay, 81 would
rather be right than be President" Around the
walls were suspended large number of banners,
bearing the following, among other inscriptions:
The Hanover Association - The Second Ward
Clay Club;"" /" The Seventeenth Ward Clay Club"
Justice to Henry Clay-Proteotion to American
Industry" "I have wished the good opinion Of the
world, but defy the most malignant of my enc
mics to show that have attempted to gain it by
any low or grovelling acts, by any mean or un-
worthy sacrifices, by the violation Of any of the
obligations of honor, or by breach of any of the
duties which owed to my country-H. CLAY" A
number OF other appropriate inscriptions. mainly
extracts from MIR. Clays speeches or letters, formed
part of the ornaments but space will not allow
us to copy them. s.s
About nine o'clock Dodworth's band, in full
force took possession of the orchestra and shortly
afterwards the dancing commenced The COM
pany was large, probably nine hundred ladies and
gentlemen being present Among the gentlemen
we noticed all the most prominent Clay Wings of
our city. The Hon. Geo. Briggs, M c.; Hon. j.
PHILIPPE Phoenix, M. c.; and number OF other
NJ C.'s from this State and her neighbors; M. D.
Boruck, esq.,, OF California, and number of other
distinguished citizens. As to the ladies, we have
not space to particularixe; we can only cay that
they wero the fairest of the fair, and that such
galaxy of beauty was present at Niblo's last
evening is but seldom found at any one fste, even
in New York. The whole festival passed off with
great ecIat, and reflected infinite credit upon those
gentlemen who were instrumental in getting it up
The dancing proceeded with great spirit until
ton minutes of eleven, when Nicholas Carroll. esq.,,
ascended the orchestra, and announced to tho COM
pany, amid great cheering, that Mr.. Clay had ar
rived and would soon pass through the room. BY
request of Mr.. Carroll. the company formed in
double line all around the saloon. AS soon as the
arrangement was completed, Mr.. Clay, between
the Hon. James Brooks and the Hon. J. p. Phonix, I,
and followed by the committee. entered the room.
while the band struck up "Hsre's TO you, Harry
Clay.'
The scene which ensued can be better imagined
than described. The gentlemen gave cheer after
cheer, the ladies waived their handkerchiefs and,
losing themselves in the enthusiasm Of the mo-
ment many of them cheered as loudly as the gen.
tlemen. Mr.. Clay passed through the lines all
around the saloon, stopping to shake hands with
the gentlemen, and kiss those of the ladies who
presented themselves for that honor, and they
neither few nor far between, many Of them pre-
senting Mr.. Clay with superb bouquets. We have
never seen greater enthusiasm on similar ocoa-
sion, and 1t was not without some difficulty that
Mr.. Clay could regain the reception room Here
he was immediately surrounded, and for more
than half an hour was engaged in receiving the
congratulations of his male friends and tho kisses
and compliments of the ladies. For each of the for
mer he had kind word and grasp Of the hand.
and towards the latter he displayed more than his
wonted gallantry. At about quarter to midnight
Mr.. Clay withdrew from the saloon, and went
quietly home, while the festivities Of the evening
renewed with double xest, after this agreeable
interruption.
Supper was served shortly after midnight, and
was in Niblo's best style. Under the direction of
the committee, Mr.. Vesey, Niblo's right hand man
in these affairs had made the arrangements on tho
most admirable plan, and all were made comforta-
bio. The suppcr-room was superbly decorated
with tricolor bunting banners, &C., and the table
ornaments were all prepared expressly with refer
ence TO the occasion. After supper dancing was
again resumed, and continued until the first rays
of this morning's sun warned the "merrie compa-
nie'' that it was time to break up and go home.
At the portable remarks were made by the
Chairman, J. De Peyster Ogden, esq.,, Nicholas
Carroll, esq, Mr.. Blunt, district attorney, Mr..
Tomlinson, Mr.. Muir, and others. Mr.. Carroll
read the following among other letters:
From aovnRNoR HUNT.
II 10 hardly necessary, trust, for me to assure
you how fully participate in the sentiments of
gratitude and admiration with which YOU contem-
illustrious Whig statesman. The period 10 not far
distant when the whole American people, rising
above the influence of party prejudice, will deporc
country His great name, 90 honorably identified
with the greatness and glory of the Union and 30
deeply impressed upon our national history, will
be cherished with patriotic pride by all those who
desire the perpctuity Of our free Government
FROM GENERAL cAss.
WAsHrNaroN, March 6, 1851.
GzNrLRMEN: It would afford me much pleasure to
make one of the numerous assemblage who will at
endthe ball ON Monday evening to be given in honor
Of Mr. Clay for well does ne merit this distinction BY
which will place his name high among the patriots
and statesmen who illustrate and adorn her histo-
ry. In some Of the scverest trials we have expert
wisest were wavering, he neither doubted nor
hesitated, but went forward in tho great work
Of patriotism. looking only to the Constitution
and the Union, and in the recent and most
perilous crisis we have ever seen. and through
which, by the blessing Of God. we have safely
passed, he acted in the same spirit, and with all
the energy and intellect which marked the efforts
Of his earlier life watched his course with equal
pride and pleasure, and shall never seasc to do
justice to his eminent qualities displayed under the
mort trying circumstances. and still the brighter
as the danger became greater. May he find a re-
ward in the affections Of his countrymen.
From cHARLEs T. JANIS, U. 8. SENATOR, n.
Than myself, no one can be more heartily at
tached TO the American Constitution, and the Union
of the States, which make up common coun-
try. No one can more heartily rejoice in the great
compromise which will, trust and believe, pre-
serve both. No one more truly venerntes the name
and 81 those est statesmsn EN- Al and d. patriots who stood