Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-05-27

tber, and justify themselves Leiore their cons,;tu-
ents' clearly proves, that hc himself was prepared,
unhcr contingency, 10 vote Tor Gen. Jackson
Sec Appended
IL Is easy TO sec that had Mr.. Clay desired 60
secure the situation OF Secretary of State, the
price oil his vote, 1t was important prevent any
expression oil public sentiment by the people or
the legislature, which bound him to prefer either
OF the candidates. Having resolved TO substitute
his own will for that of his constituents, and hav-
ing likewise resolved to determine his own choice
by an arrangement subsequently TO be entered
into, 1t was important to prevent any movement OIL
the part OF the legislature, or the people, which
might impede his negotiations or embarrass his
attempts at Justification. That he, would have
made terms with Gen. Jackson, and that our view
OF his motives is correct is strongly coroborated
by the manner in which he met Gen. jackson, on
his arrival at Washington, as detailed by Gen Call
See Gen. CdIrs lettcrl
Speaking of Gen. Jackson, Mr. Clay SAYS:
Shortly after his arrival, he called on me, but
was out. Ireturned the visit, considering it, in
ooth instances, one OF mere ceremony"
although this narrative OF the reconciliation
differs from that given by Judge Isaacs and Mr.
Blair, 1t proves by Mr.. Clays confession, that
,here was no obstacle existing in their private re-
lations. to his voting for General Jackson He
expressly says no enn'ify &c had been cherished on
my part" According TO 'the law winch regu-
late men Of honor" Mr.. Clay mghs therefore
have voted for General jackson.
Having exhibited the attitude in which Mr.. Clay
stood towards each of the other candidates. let us
now trace his footsteps through the canvass which
preceded the election Until the winter of lS23-&,
MIR. Clay considered Mr.. Adams his most for
midab!e competitor. Upon him he turned all the
artillery OF the press, which he could wicld aud at
the same time, as we have SEEM resorted toall the
stratagems of an artful and ambitious adversary
The claims set up by portion of the people in he
half of Gen. Jackson, The at first considered as Who'll
~ unavailing ami utterly hopeless. He charged
Mr. Adams and his friends with bringing forward
the General TO divide the West and defeat his fMr
Clay's) election. Towards Mr. Crawford he seem.
ed to cast an eye OF friendly regard, and the inn
preston was circulated through the Union that
it he failed himself, that gentleman would he his
second choice. Mr.. Adams was the only candi.
date upon whom he waged war Of determination,
and the people OF the United States were led 20
believe, that he would ally himself with any man
or any party, TO prevent his election.-GlSee Nh
RdndoLphs declaration IN Congress, appendix J.
The progress of Jackson's popularity during the
year 1923, and the first part of the year 1924, was
alarming to all his competitors, and had deprived
Mr. Clay Of his last hope of being elected by
the people. Under those circumstances, what was
his obvious dutys Had he declined the canvass,
cnc postponed his pretensions 10 more propitious
period, he would have elevated himself in the cs-
tmation OF the American people. But IA over
weening ambition suggested TO him different
course, and, in fatal moment, he suffered him
sell to be miscd by its bright illusions What nc
could not gain by the votes ofthc people, he now
octefiHineu 10 acnheVe by bold and arttul manage
ment. Ifhe could but reach the House Of Repre-
sentatives, -he nattered himself, that through his
popularity and influence in that body, he should
be able to overcome all competition, and place
himself in the Presidential chair But if he failed
IN reaching that body, the same power would ena-
BILE him TO control and profit by the event OF the
election. These views were disclosed with suli-
cient cearncss in the communications Of his friends
at Washington, to every part of the Union, early
in 1924 advising his adhcrents to remain firm in
he icia far
pose, to quote only the language which was used
on this point in official documents. The friends of
Mr.. Clay at Washington City, in May, 1924, pub
iished Circular, from which the following is an
extract:
sc Entertaining the highest respect for the other
candidates. they (s1r. C's friends at Washington
VIII not indulge in any inyidious comparison Of
their strength. But it may perhaps be assumed,
'hat, II from any cause, Mr. Crawlor should not
receive the vote of New York-if Gen jack
son should not receive the support OF some of the
doubtful States-or, il Mr. Adams should not
receive the vote of New York, Mr. Clay
must be returned to the House without calculating
any OF the contingent or probable events that NAV
render that vote certain.
Ii, contrary TO all probability Mr.. Clay should
not be returned TO the House, his friends, having
done their duty, will be able by concentration to
control tie ere1tt. They will hold in their hands the
balance. They will determine between the OPP
posing and conflicting interests, and secure TO the
country Republican Administration.
" Under all the views taken, it is determined to
recommend to his friends TO adhere TO him steadily
and TO await the issue now depending before the
people"
This address, wo have good authority for
believing. was written by Mr.. Clay, and CO.
,ied by MIR. Francis johnson. and its re-
crence to the Importance of s' securing TO the
country arepu5licars administration - was evident
y aimed at Mr.. Adams, who was kabitualiy char
lcterized BY Mr.. Clay and his friends as the federal
candidate.
Thus, In May 1924 so precarious were Mr.. C's |
prospects, that he doubted whether he would reach
he House OF Representatives, as one of the three
highest candidates, and yet he advises the sum |
,orters of his cause to adhere to hin, stecdiiy
What was the object? He distinctly syoyys lit
vas g 5y concentration to control the ercut'' in |
he House OF Representatives If Mr. C's friends
IN finding his prospects hopeless, had divided off
IND gwen their support to other candidates, thew
would not have been concentrated in the House.
which would have left him as poyserless az anv
'ther individual. rally was, therefore. necess;-
y, not with any sanguine hope of securing his
election, but TO enable him Sc to control the 9.
,ent."
On the 18th Of the following July, a p,eetinr
vas held by Mr.. Clays partisans 1t Columbus in
ohio, who published an Address to prevent defcc-
ion among his friends in that State, in which as
We have already seen, il is declared that the OBJ
ect oil nominating him was to prevent the Secre-
airy succession and that ii is the clear conyic-
ion OF his supporters that the object of nominating
him, can only be attained by adhering to him; that
o abandon him is to abandon that object and un-
Ter this conviction, they have adopted the reso-
uuon to adhere to him, as The dictate of duty and |
At this time, the tide E Jackson's popul. riiv
vas inundating the whole Western country. threat
ming to sweep away, by depriving him of every
ote except that OF Kentucky, Mr.. Clay's last hope
# being able g to control the event" His com |
nittee IN Kentucky, alarmed at the portent a.
hnf fHrnt