Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-17
A. r. BOTELER.
FROM THE GOVERNOR or NEW HAMPSHIRE

FROM THE GOV ERNOR VI INV HAhIShIhh'
PORTSMOUTH, April ID, 1860.
Gentlemen Il have the honor to acknowledge your
kind invitation in behalf OF the ladies Of Virginia TO be
present and witness the Inauguration OF the marble Sta
tue of Henry Clay in the city OF Richmond on the l2th
instant Thanking You for this mark OF attention.
must express mv regret that official duties will deprive
me OF the pleasure OF being present on the interesting
occasion.
The ladies' of Virginia honor themselves in inaugura'
ting Statue the statesman and patriot whose name
and fame already enshrined IN the hearts OF the
great and good throughout the length and breadth OF
Ills nation Not one State but all should emulate each
other in perpeuItng the memory OF the great Statesman
Of the West-who stands out in bold relief prominent
among men. His character and his fame are not con-
fined this country tue immediate theatre OF his Acuoh
but the civilized world claims him one OF the nobles oil
his race The sculptured marble may image forth to
coming generations the ineamens Of his countenancei
but the character the eoquence the greatness the re-
nown Of such man are written all over his country
The very fabric of the Government which he did so
much and maintain Is triumphant monument 10
his patriotism and genius.
am gentlemen, with great respect
YOUR obt servant
ICHABOD GOODWIN.
To Messrs. Robt Ridgway Jas A. Scott, Jno. A Mere
dith, w. Goddiu, and F. Griffin, Esqrs. Committee.
FROM HON. w. F. sIMMS.
WASHINGTON, House OF REPRESENTATIVES,
April llth, 1850. J
Gsntl,aen-Hoping that it might be in my power TO
accept YOUR polite invitation to be present IN tue city oil
Richmond on the occasion of the Inauguration OF the mar
ole Statue of Henry Clay be erected by the ladies' OF
Virginia have deferred reply to yours OF the l2th III
timo TO the very last moment. | ind public engage
mens here will deny the pleasure OF accepting your
polite invitation; hence avail myself of this method to
evce my appreciation of the same and tho occasion to
which IL relates.
In thus doing honor to the memory of Henry Clay,
Virginia the mother is but honorug herself That tins
highest testimonial other appreciation for his fame should
come from the fair daughters of the tme-honored old
Commonwealth is especially appropriate. Elevated as
they are above the elements oi maddenng strife their
appreciation their affection is the proudeSt because the
pures badge of honor that grace the heros brow
while living, or commemorate the statesmans virtues
when dead The marble they propose to erect to
the memory of Henry Clay will stand as fit memorial
of their pure devotion all that elevate human cha
racer and stimulate enuobing public virtue; yet 1t
will not and cannot prolong the already undying name
of the departed statesman whose high public worth it Is
designed commemorate. This will survive, when every
memorial marble and brass shall have crumbed into
dust His deeds his achievements havepassed into history
They inseparably connected with the Institutions
the prosperity and destiny Of his country TO whose veal
aud glory his whole life devoted. Yet the same his
tory that has recorded these deeds will also record this
noble tribute his memory from the mothers and daugh
ers of Virginia.
To be present upon occasion interesting. would
afford especial satisfaction only because Ken
lucky holds dear every manifestation of regard for her
most gifted and honored statesman because this high
tribute paid by the ladies of Virginia to born in
humble rank who with friend but youth and no for
tune but hope carved his way by the mighty powers
of bis own genius the very highest place amongst the
! great and good of earth.
| ! have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant
I