Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-12
r,a s,n,n.nr Henry Clay.

DENTAL campaigu of il too well remembered TO need
any reference to its stirring incidents intense and
versal emotion it aroused The friends of Henry Gay
rallied to his standard with all the ardor and devotedness
with which the Old Guard of Napoleon fought Tor tue
fame and life of their Incompatible commander his
defeat received by them as an overwhelming dSaS
ter-strking them Individually with the stunning ehec'
of grevous personal affection The Wing press of the day
bears testimony every page to the love, intensified by
with which his friends regarded him. In
the noble impulses of woman, this feeling first found
practical form for its expression. The following letter
from Mrs. Governor Barbour published in the Wing OF
November the 18th was the first suggestion out OF
which the plan for Statue grew:
BARBoURsvILLE, Nov. 18th, 1914.
Mr.. Pleasants-l was not a little surprised by my TWO
granddaughter who reside with me, suddenly entering
nv chamber this evening and excamng, grand moth
err what do for Mr. Clay -sOme token OF respect
ought TO be given him by the Wing women of America,
and we have been devising mahy paus but on farther
consideration of them pleased u.s." But, before
could the nterrogatory of them said, sup
pose we undertake to raise by subscription sufficient
sum of money TO purchase handsome service OF plate
with suitable Wing emblems and Inscriptions" l was
much pleased with the thought andou views expanding
as weconyersed on the subject concluded at first 70
extend the privilege TO the whole State OF Virginia but
last determined if it should appear practicable, to en-
be avoided and a small contribution from each, would
be sufficient for the purpose and enable every one, how
ever humble 10 aid IN its accomplishment, without the
fear OF being oyershadowed Now we wish you to
adop. the scheme your own, if you think 1t feasible
and ask the aid Of your powerful pen, in addressing
the Wing women of the United States on the subject
remembering the admirable Injunction, whatsoever We
do DO it quickly for the artisan knows he Is to strike
while the iron il hot' and if the feeling OF the moment
passes away it will be difficult to arouse 1t second time
l know our sex are thought by many unstable as wa
ter but hope after crowdng the Wing festivals aud
mapifesting so much enthusiasm few will be found so
holow-hea as TO refuse small sum to aid so good
| had almost said, so holy cause We leave the man
ner Of raising the money entirely to your Judgment for
perhaps if the subscription is too limited, we should not
be able to raise sufficient sum.
With great respect
LUCY BARBOUR.
The Wing Of the succeeding day contained the following
paragraph on the subject:
LETTER OF MRS BARBOUR.
The letter of this distinguished lady published Saturday.
We h. ar from various sources has madea strong sensa
ton among the Wing ladies of Richmond, asit undoub
eily will throughout the Commonwealth We under
stand that preparatory measures in process of ar
rtncements for early and decided action for carrying
Mrs Blbours suggestions into execution OF which the
public Will learn more; and we hear too, with mnch
Measure that a statue is preferred service of plate
AS more worthy of Henry Clay and of the patriotism
hitting the great Statesman to posterity and kinding
noble emulation Sin thej bosoms of the youth OF our
country
Let but the ladies' of Richmond upon whom naturally
devovcs in the first place. central in position and al
most unanimous in sentiment the orginaton OF meas
ures prosecute the design with active, though udlcious
spirit and its accomplishment is placed beyond conln
gency Heaven be praised for giving them hearts which
are not less the affections, than alive to true glory
The suggestion OF Mrs. Barbour taken up through
out the STATE with the ardor The only difference
OF opinion was as to the form the testimonial should bear
some thinking the Plate most appropriate others pre-
ferrng Library but the greater portion agreeing upon
Statue. This induced Mrs. Barbour to write the fol-
loving letter:
BARBorRsyiLLE, Dec. 4th 1874.
To the Editors of the Wing:
Gentemen-We ask you to accept our warmest thanks
for your kind and prompt attention TO our proposition
We thank you for the change made the destination
of our funds if should be fortunate enough 70 raise
sufficient for our purpose The substitution OF u
Statue occurred u.s. shortly after We had dispatched our
letter which written in haste and without due reec
ton. but willing that the matter should lie deter
mined by superior Judgment.
have not seen the Enquirer but have been told that
Sir Richie has attacked u thTOug l-tempered cor
respondent. When viii the narowmindei of his sex
learn little 5erllity towards ours; generous mind
would think our sphere Of action sufficiently limited by
our physical disabilities, and readily grant us freedom OF
thought even on political subjects; aud the power OF per-
forming act Of justice to an injured statesman when,
by doing So neglect, duty assigned us 10y the most
iigd We 10 not claim, ike Deborah of Old 10 be Judges
in israeli but we are the nursing mothers Of heroes,
statesmen aud dyines; and, while perform task 30
important Oe couuted something H. the mus
terrell Of man.
Accept the respect and gratitude OF
LUCY BARBOUR.
P.S-AGer finishing my letter, | have been told that
there division Of opnio0 in your city that Is calcula-
ted TO uure If not entirely u lrultrate our scheme
Now this Is lameEtable Ana whhe July concur with
Won that q statue is the most appropriate and durable
form We can sdopt 10 express gratitude TO- aud ad
mlra'iou Of Mr. Clay certainly have no pride OF opn-
ion on the subject aud am ready 10 cooperate with my
countrywomeu in any plan they deem preferable, proy-
ded it is worthy OF the object
But really think they have not duly reflected on the
difficulty of selecting Library for man at his time OF
life indeed may nationally suppose be Is already pro-
vded with one amply sufficient for his and suited TO
mis- taste. shall Doe almost tempted 10 believe in the
agency of -emons II our intentions ae t9"aTted by dis
cord for ! bad iondly hoped that the Wing women OF
Virginia would be actuated alone by wish to express
their sense OF the injustice that has been done to one OF
her most patriotic hope yup vii! be able ~ unite
the p8res-ior failure must not be told in GATH lest
the sous and daughters OF Democracy should rejoice.
The proposition for a Statue warmly urged by the
Wig as in the following paragraphs of December 9th
1874.
Mrs Bagbours letter has gone through the State like
vidire.
NO yapes ofhe ay has attracted so comprehensive
observation, or elected unboCudet applause c"d
If il was Lawful, to have Lady President Of the United
ate, Mrs Barbour would beat "LiudenwOd, the Her
Iu,tsge and "FOrt Hill combined.
''Mavwe offer word 10 the Wing Ladies OF Richmond
The only course worthy of you aud Henry Clay IS a
STATUE That is perpetual! A Lbrarg-Or n SER
vice OF patc-s temporary and looks like fee. Statue
bids for immortality and is wholly disconnected from the
idea Of gecj remuneration an idea which wish TO
see utterly excluded unworthy Of Mr. Clay, and Of the
spir of the Wing Ladies Besues that the Ladies will
all wish their sons they cannot see Henry Clay in per
SON 10 gee the Statue OF the greatest who has lived
in this, their ami our cwu gcneratiou-a man whom
posterty will esteem much the greater that his virtue
enlisted against him all the yeness which osiracscd Ar
-,des and denied Statue to the younger Cato III the
Republics noL hays passed TO the Shades
In conformity with public cali large meeting of la
dies was held at the First Presbyterian Church. the 9th
day OF December, which the following proceedings oc-
Cured;
At the hour of II, large number Of Ladies had con
veued no the designated place OF meeting and there were
continued accessiOns Tor half hour afterwards when
on motion, Mrs. Benz. Watkins Leigh was appointed
President and Mr.. John Ii. Peasants Secretary Of the
meeting.
r. r. Daniel Esq, then, as organ of the Ladies assem-
BLEED read the following Constitution, which unani-
mOusy approved and adopted by the Ladies assembled
At a Meeting of Ladies Of the City OF Richmond, as
sembed on the 9th day OF December 1874, in the First
Presbyterian Church il said City, the following Consitu
on expressive Of the objects aud decaratory of the
purposes, OF said meeting was unanimously adopted;
The Ladies here assembled desire express III the
enduring form Of Statue of Henry Clay TO be provided
by voluntary contributions by the Ladies OF Virginia,
aud erected in the Capital OF his Native State their
spec and gratitude for the distinguished public services