Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-02-21
THURSDAY, WHOLE q
Letter from a Son Of Henry Clay.

Letter from a Son Of Henry ClaJ
The anniversary of the battle {
New Orleans was generally celebrates
in our large cities, and celebrated in
manner becoming that illustrious oc
casion. At the celebration held b,
the National Democratic Club of Ney
York city, at the Metropolitan Hotel
interesting letters from many distin
guished gentlemen were read. Ont
of these letters is invested with more
than common interest, owing to the
close connection of the author with
the great Wing statesman of Ken
tucky-Henry Clay. We transfer
this letter to our columns.
ashland, Thursday, Jan. 8, 1856.
Gentlemen-I have received the
note which as a committee of the
Young Mems National Democratic
Club of the city and county of New
York, you have done me the honor to
address me, inviting me to attend a
dinner to be given by them, in cele-
bration ofthe anniversary Of the bat
tie of New Orleans.
Were it possible for me to absent
myself from home at the time desig-
mated, it would afford me great pleas
ure to unite with any portion of my
countrymen for the purpose of cele-
brating the anniversary ofone Of the
most glorious events in the annals of
our common country. I regret that
my affairs preclude the possibility of
my joining you. Such celebrations
are every day becoming more rare,
so that we may begin to fear that the
country will, before long, have ceased
to remember some of its greatest
events, as well as the greatest names
which have illustrated its history in
war and peace.
Having but little personal connec-
ton with the political world, I am not
sufficiently acquainted with the prin-
ciples and purposes of your society to
say that I could also unite with you
fully upon those principles, or for the
advancement of those purposes. I
find myself standing amid the ruins
ofa great party, which was eudeared
to me by a thousand ties, Of education,
of association and of memory. That
party has no longer an organized ex-
stence-destroyed, I verify believe.
by treason to its principles, in its own
ranks. Thousands in the land de-
plore with me its destruction, and are
now, as I am, anxiously looking for
the right path to follow, and the true
party to which to attach themselves.
I am not presumptuous enough to
desire to intrude upon your notice the
political ideas of an individual SO hum
BILE as myself but of this, gentlemen,
you may be assured, that any party,
which in good faith puts forth its ban
ner inscribed "The Union and the
Constitution, al all risks and all haz-
ards," which proclaims itself to be in
favor of maintaining, with equal jus
tice the institutions of every State and
section, allowing the citizens of each
to regulate their domestic concerns
according to their own views Of their
own happiness and interest, and which
is oppused to all bigotry and fanati-
cism, religious or eivil, will have my
cordial sympathy, no matter under
what aeso name it may be arrayed.
Although / am well aware that /
am entitled to the compliment Of your
invitation by no merits or distinction
of my own, I beg that you will accept
the assurance Of my high sense Of
the honor youhave done me, and with
the expression ofthe hope that your
festive meeting may be fraught with
all the enjoyment to be desired from
such occasions, / subscribe myself,
With great respect,
Your obedient servant.
JAMES B. CLAY.
We do not design making this let
ter the subject of comment. 1tspeaks