Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-01-18


The anniversary of the battle of New Orleans
generally celebrated in our larger Cities and ceeh
ted IN manner becoming that iIlustrious occao;n
We thus far, owing TO the Interruptions 10 travel ani
intercommunicaton, caused by snow and ice 500 b"
few accounts of these celebrations Ono. ho1oUou1'
that we have met with in the New York Naws '
sesses more than ordinary interest II was nj r
much the style of the entertainments and The n, 81
hcence of the dinner that attracted u.s. as tho 81:
evnced in the sentiments, speeches and Letters Of th
occasion This was the celebration held bv the M Me-
tonal Democratic Club of New York CITY, at tbo
metropolitan Hotel interesting letters from manv
distinguished gentlemen were read One of thesa 10y
ters is invested with more than a common ;nt.a.
owing to the close connection of the author With 49,
great Wing statesman of Kentuck y-Henrv CIav '"0
We transfer this letter to our columns
FROM JAMES B. CLAY-(soN OF HENRY CLAW
ASHLAND, Thursday, Jan. 3, 1879
GENTLEMEN Il have recei, ed the note WIKI
committee of the Young Mems National Deronno as
ic Club of the city and county of New York von
have done me the honor to address me, invitina 49,
to attend dinner to be given by Them in celebration
of the anniversary of The battle of New Orleans
Were it possible for me to absent myself from bomo
at the time designated it would afford me great nIo
sure 10 unite with any portion of my countrymen f.
the purpose of celebrating the anniversary of ona
of the most glorious events in the annals of onr
common country | regret that my affairs precluls
the possibility of my joining you. Such ceebrations
begin fear that the country will, before long, have
ceased to remember some of It's greatest events as
well as the great names which have illustrated is
| history in war and peace.
| Having had but little personal connection with ,ba
political world, am not sufficiently acquainted with
the principles and purposes of your society to ba
prepared to say that could also unite with YOU ful1
upon those principles, for the advancement Of bose
purposes | find myself standing amid the ruins Of
a great party, which was endeared to me bya tbon,
sand ties of education, of association and OF memo.
ry. That party has no longer organized existence
destroyed, verify believe, by 10 its princi
pies, IN lis own ranks Thousands in the land de-.
plore with me its destruction, and are now as | am
anxiously looking for the right path to follow and
the true party to which TO attach themselves.
| am not presumptuous enough to desire to n;rudp
upon your notice the political ideas of an individual
so humble as myself; but of this, gentlemen, YOU
may be assured that any party which, in good faith
puts forth its banner inscribed The Union and the
Constitution, all risks and all hazards which nro
claims itself to be in favor of maintaining with pGua
justice, the institutions OF every State and section
allowing the citizens of each to regulate their domes
tic concerns according to their own views of their
own happiness and interest, and which is opposed to
all bgotry and tanatiCism, religious or cluH will
have my cordial sympathy, no matter under what
new name it may be arrayed.
, Although am well aware that am entitled to
the compliment of your invitation by no merit or dis
tinction of my own beg that you will accept the
assurance of my high sense of the honor YOU have
done me, and with the expression of the hope that
your festive meeting may be fraugh with all the en-
jOyment to be desired from such occasions subscribe
myself, With great respect
! Your 0bedient servant,
JAMES B. CLAY.