The republic., 1851-04-16
Sevehty-F0urth Anniversary OF Henry
Clayss Rarthdav.

ssvshty-Fowth Anniversary OF Henry
Clay's nirthday.
On Saturday evening. the 18th instant, the
seventy fourth anniversary Of the natal day of
the Hon. HENRY CLAY was celebrated with
great spirit at New York by the Clay Festival
Association. The grand saloon of Apollo
Rooms was beautifully decorated for the occa-
sion. The New York Erpress states that at
the head of the room, over the Presidents chair,
was full-length portrait of Mr.. CLAY, en-
wreathed with the national colors, and on either
side were silk banners with the following in
scnptions:
Seventh Ward Democratic Clay Club, insti-
tuted lS4l. The l-boy of the Slashes.''
81 have wished the good opinion of the world,
but defy the most malignant of my enemies to
or grovelling acts, BY any mean or unworthy sa-
crifce by the violation OF any OF the obligations Of
honor or by the breach OF any of the duties which
owed to my country.-H. CLAY
Democratic Clay Club, Tenth Ward. city Of
Now York, instituted l54l. Justice to Harry. the
Star Of the West.'"
At the lower end Of the room was another
full-length portrait Of Mr.. CLAY, on the banner
Of the Knickerbocker Clay Club, and on either
side large national flag, extending the whole
width Of the room. The orchestra was hung
with festoons Of red and white bunting, and in
the centre the famous declaration of Mr.. CLAY
"I know no North. mo South, no East, no West
nothing but my country"
The side walls of the room were festooned
with flags and tri-colored bunting, and between
the festoons the banners of the Clay Clubs from
the different wards in the city.
WILLIS HALL, esq.,, President of the Asso-
citation, occupied the chair, supported by the
following vice presidents: j. p. Phoenix, B..
w. Benson, j. l.. Cross, Amos j. Williamson,
John Boardman, Charles McDougal, M. O..
Roberts, Benjamin Drake, C. M. Simonson, o.
Newcomb, Amedi G. Fargis, Robert Smith,
N. C. Ely, George Newhouse, M. H. Mott,
H. Mas, Com. Vanderbilt, Cornelius Brush,
Conrad Sweet, Aid. Belts.
The following letters were read:
FROM ma. CLAY.
HAVANA. March 81, 1851.
GENTLEMEN: have great pleasure in acknow-
Lodging the receipt Of your oblging letter, stating
the purpose Of the Clay Festival Association to
celebrate, on the 18th proximo, my birthday in
the city of New York, by supper, and inviting
me to be present and partake of the festival.
Language, gentlemen, il wholly inadequate to
express my grateful feelings, and the extent of my
very great obligations to my friends in New York,
for the strength, ardor, constancy, and fidelity of
their attachment to me, Of which they have given
80 many signal proofs.
In this last you have found an additional motive,
arising out of my recent public service. In all
the trials and struggles of that service, ii was
iUh nlsti ,latir
TO me to know that, whatever differences of opin-
ion might elsewhere exist, between my friends and
me there was none, there could be none, for the
question involved was the integrity and harmony
Of that Union, 10 the preservation Of which we
stood voluntarily and unanimously pledged. If
there be any remaining in our country Il hope
there are not) who would seek or desire to over
throw it, let them go abroad and contrast our mum
bcrless blessings and our wonderful advancement
and prosperity with the condition of any other peo-
pie on the habitable globe; and if they do not
return with profound gratitude for our admirable
institutions, they. must have hearts not derived
from the common parent of mankind, or perverted
by the evil spirit which destroyed his repose
in the garden of Eden. Temporary as is my alb
sence from tho United States, during my short 30
journ this delightful island, almost in eight OF
the shores of our own country, feel that senti-
ment in full force.
shall return, gentlemen, in few days. to Ash
land, by the route Of New Orleans and the Missis
sippi, and regret therefore that it will not be in
my power to be in the midst of my friends on the
occasion to which you have done me the honor to
invite me.
need not assure them that wherever may be,
at home abroad, in heart, in spirit, and in sym
pathy, am with them.
With high respect, am your friend and obedi-
ent servant, H. CLAY.
Messrs. Brewer. Wood. Blunt. Bradford, and
Carroll.
FROM DANIEL wRBsTHR.
WAsHINaroN, March %, 1851.
GENTLEMEN: You may we'll say that you never
approached the anniversary of Mr.. Clay's birth
with "more profound respect" for this "illustrious
and venerated statesman" than you do now.
Having entertained high regard for Mr.. Clay for
many years. and heartily operating with him
many occasions in public life, have great plea
in saying that at no period did he ever render
more important service to his country than when
he took part in favor Of tho Compromise measures
of the late session of Congress.
thank you, gentlemen, for the kind notice you
take Of my efforts on the same subject.
II would give me true pleasure to attend your
dinner, but excursion for that purpose would be
inconsistent with my engagements at that time.
South Carolina.
Mr.. Senator BUTLER addressed the Southern
Rights Association for Edgefeld some days
since. The Aduertiser publishes brief notice
Of his speech, which occupied an hour and a
half in its delivery. 1t says that Judge BUT
LER :" was laboring under some degree Of
restraint, imposed by his present connexion
with the Federal Government" This means,
we presume, that Judge BUTLER was impressed
with the obligations Of the oath which he had
taken to support the Constitution of the United