Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-04-22
MISCELLANEOUS,
The Clay Festival in New York,

The Clay Festival in New York.
On Monday. the 18th of April. the sew
eniy-fiith anniversary Of the birth of Hen.
ry Clay. was celebrated in New York, by
grand festival a. the Apollo Rooms.
The Hall was admirably decorated with
flags and banners. Back Of the Presi
dents chair was bust of Clay, enclosed
IN heart of evergreen, and with the in
scription below-"l know n, North, no
South, no East, no West, nothing but nv
country"
Hon. Joseph L. White presided.
AT a quarter past eight, the company,
numbering about GOO. entered the room
and sat down to asumptrous dinner. Five
tables We're laid the full length of the Hall,
and one at the head of the room upon a
dais for the invited guests, among whom
were Ex-Governor Jones, of Tennessee,
Hon. Presly Ewing, of Kentucky. N. B.
Blunt, Esq, Willis Hall, Esq, Rev. E, II.
Chaplin, Col. Peyton and Col. Pryers.
After an hour had been spent in discus
sing the dinner, Mr.. White, the chairman,
called the meetingto order for tho regular
toasts. The first regular toast was
/. TIE l2M Of april, l777-The Birth
day of man who "is not for day, but
for all time"
MusIc-"Of IN tie stHy Night"
This toast was received with twelve
checrs-and was followed by the singing
of Fan original song by VIC MickIe, Esq,
in the chorus of which the whole company
joined.
2. TIE Nan s1Aose Binh makes Ills dag
.glofious.
"He has outlivcd detracton; and dis
turbed by no dreams of ambition-remov-
ed from the storm Of political conflict
animated by no desire but the good Of his
country. hcstill survives, the noble cmbodi-
ment of Democratic Wing principles"
We might hail thee as President with happier
brow
But OBJ, could welove thee more deeply than nowf"
MusIc-" Here's 10 you Haiy,y Clay'.
After the reading of the second regular
toast the following letter was read from
the Hon. Henry Clay amid the most fran
tic enthusiasm of the audience:
WASHINGTON, April S, 1859.
Gentlemen: | have the honor to ac
know ledge the receipt of your friendly note
inviting me to attend the celebration of nv
birth day, by the "City Festival As.ocia-
ton" on the 18th Instant, in The city of
New York. Ifthere were that improve
ment in the condition of my health, on
which you kindly congratulate me. it
might have been possible for me to accept
your invitation. Bat ] am sorry to say
that during the last three months, with oc-
casional alterations, there has been no ma
ierial change in the state of my health,
and ii is utterly impracticable for me to
proceed to New York, and to unite in the
contemplated festivities Of the 18th.
The commemoration of my birth day,
on this and former occasions, chiefly con
fined to the city of New York, have ever
regarded as being prompted by the hearts
Of ardent and enthusiastic friends, by their
devoted attachment TO me, and by their
generous and unbounded confidence. /
never conceived that it would pass the
limits Of their circle or that it would par
take in the smallest degree ola National
character. Our country has been blessed
by Providence with but one man whose
birth day ought to be and Ihope ever will
be, celebrated as great national arniver-
sary in all times to come. But gentlemen,
| owe an expression of my profound ac-
acknowledgement, and my deep obligation
for this distinguished and renewed testi-
mony of the esteem and regard, which
the Clay Festival Association does me the
honor 10 entertain. And l implore, upon
the heads OF all its members, the blessings
Of Providence. Of health. happiness and
prosperity. and all other blessings.
am, with the highest respect,
Your true and faithful friend,
HENRY CLAY.
Mcssrs. Bradford, White, Brewer, Wood
and Hanover.
Letters were read from President Fill
more, Hon. Daniel Webster, Hon. c. M.
Conrad, and other distinguished citizens
who were invited, but unable to be pres
ent. We select the following:
WASHINGTON. April 7th, 1852.
Gentlemen:- ! received in the course Of
mail yourobliging letter ofthe 18th March
TO which circumstances have prevented me
from returning an earlier answer; and
am now obliged to say with much regret
that my public duties viii not allow me to
he in New York on the 18th inst
You invite me, gentlemen. to join your
association in commemorating the birth
day of Mr. Clay. You say. with becoming
emphasis and warmth, that your object is
''to pay honor not to the partizan, but the
man; not to tender tribute to party poiti-
cal services, but the attributes which char
acrerize the patriot, who, in the advocacy
of his country's cause, knows no North,
no Sonth, no East, no West, nothing but
his country"
| entirely concur with yon. gentlemen,
in this high commendation. ! have known
Mr.. Clay in the councils ofhis country for
many years, and have always entertained
admiration for his talents, and entire conf
dence in his patriotism. / have regarded
him uniformly as man of broad national
policy and quite free from the influence Of
local prejudlces, opinions or feelings
Your remembrance of him at the approach
ing festival, will be the more tender and
affectionatc from the present state Of his
health. If your fervent wishes, gentle
men, and mine, could be gratiGed, we
should soon see him restored again. in
health and strength, to the public service
But, whatever, in this respect may be de-
signed by Providence, he will be sure of
our united sympathies and PRAYERS, SO