Lynchburg Virginian

From the Richmond Whig, Nov. 23.
VIRGINIA MONUMENT TO HENRY CLAY
LETTER FROM MRS. BARBOUR.

The letter of Mrs. Barbour, the widow of James Barbour, and a lady whom, while her own sex loves, the other reverences, will go home to the heart of Whigs far and near, and, most of all, will touch the heart of Henry Clay! His great spirit which could look proudly at the result of the late contest, and satisfied with immortality, feel an utter indifference to the party contests of the day, and elevated superiority over the vile slanderers who, in wronging him, have yet more wronged the Country, will be moved by the letter of Mrs. Barbour! Prepared to meet firmly, and as a man and Hero should, the taunts of the base, the calumny of the depraved, the exultation of the vulgar, and the unworthy sentence of an ungrateful Country, he will be melted by this evidence, of the affection and admiration of his virtuous Country women! We know the man—his noble nature—his glorious sensibilities—and his generous impulses—and we affirm that Mrs. Barbour will have done, what all the host of his ungenerous and persecuting enemies could never have done—cause a tear to flow down the manly cheek of Henry Clay—a tear of pleasure, that his long life of arduous and illustrious public service, if forgotten by his Countrymen, is gratefully remembered by his Countrywomen.

We publish Mrs. Barbour's letter upon our own responsibility. What we can do, we will do, most cheerfully, most enthusiastically. That distinguished lady, we feel, has devolved too much in her kindness, upon us: not that we want the inclination, but the ability. We will now but throw out one suggestion to Mrs. Barbour and the Whig ladies of the Commonwealth, who, we vouch for it, will, with the most ardent zeal, co-operate with her: It is to let the enterprise be Virginia only, and instead of a service of plate, which may be hid in a garret, that the Ladies of Virginia should erect a Statue to Henry Clay, on the Capitol Square, that their sons may see it, and draw that inspiration from its contemplation which every generous nature feels when it looks upon the likeness of those who have been famous among men, who have nobly served their country, and exalted Human Nature!

BARBOURVILLE, Nov. 17th, 1844.

Mr. Pleasants—I was not a little surprised by my two grand daughters who reside with me, suddenly entering my chamber this evening, and exclaiming, "grand mother, what can we do for Mr. Clay—some token of respect ought to be given him by the Whig women of America, and we have been devising many plans, but on farther consideration, none of them pleased us!" But before I could answer the interrogatory, one of them said, "suppose we undertake to raise by subscription, a sufficient sum of money to purchase a handsome service of plate, with suitable Whig emblems and inscriptions?" I was much pleased with the thought, and our views expanding as we conversed on the subject, we concluded at first, to extend the privilege to the whole State of Virginia; but at last determined, if it should appear practicable, to embrace the whole Union in our scheme. Ostentation should be avoided, and a small contribution from each, would be sufficient for the purpose, and enable every one, however humble, to aid in its accomplishment, without the least of being overshadowed. Now we wish you to adopt the scheme as your own, if you think it feasible, and we ask the aid of your powerful pen, in addressing the Whig women of the U States on the subject, remembering the admirable injunction, "whatsoever ye do, do it quickly, for the artisan knows he is to strike while the metal is hot' and if the feeling of the moment passes away, it will be difficult to arouse it a second time.

I know our sex are thought by many, unstable as water, but I hope, after crowding the Whig festivals, and manifesting so much enthusiasm, few will be found so hollow hearted as to refuse a small sum to aid a good—I had almost said, so holy a cause. We leave the manner of raising the money, entirely to your judgment, for, perhaps if the subscription is too limited, we should not be able to raise a sufficient sum.

With great respect,
LUCY BARBOUR.

From the Whig of Nov. 24.
LETTER OF MRS. BARBOUR.

The letter of this distinguished lady, published Saturday, we hear from various sources, has made a strong sensation among the Whig ladies of Richmond, as it undoubtedly will throughout the Commonwealth! We understand that preparatory measures are in progress of arrangement for early and decided action for carrying Mrs. Barbour's suggestions into execution, of which the public will soon learn more: and we hear too, with much pleasure, that a statue is preferred to a service of plate, as more worthy of Henry Clay, and of the patriotism of the ladies of Virginia and more effective in transmitting the great Statesman to posterity, and in kindling a noble emulation in the bosoms of the youth of our country!

Let but the ladies of Richmond, upon whom naturally devolves, in the first place, as central in position, and almost unanimous in sentiment, the origination of measures, prosecute the design with active, though judicious spirit, and its accomplishment is placed beyond contingency. Heaven be praised for giving them hearts which are not less true to the affections, than alive to true glory.