Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-07-06

engaged in long-conlinued intrigue to
destroy him, pursuing his object by covert
and dishonorahle means.
| Mr.. Clay stood publicly pledged to ex-
pose Mr.. Adams errors, both OF fact and
opinion, and Mr.. Adams had hurled al
him an indignant defiance.
Mr.. Clay's personal relations with Gen.
Jackson we're those of friendly intel.
course.
| OF Gen. Jackson's devotion TO the in
terests of the West, there could be no
shadow of doubt.
/ He had received more electoral votes
than any other candidate.
] He had received large plurality of fine
popular votes.
He was the only candidate, except Mr..
Clay, who had received any votes in Ken
lucky.
/ He was, without question, the second
choice of vast majority of the American
people.
Mr.. Adams was, and General Jackson
was not, member of the cabinet.
Mr.. Clay and his colleagues were re
quested by an overwhelming majority OF
the Kentucky Legislature TO vote Tor Gen.
Jackson as the undoubted second choice
of the people Of that State.
Nevertheless, Mr.. Clay voted for Mr.
Adams, and gave him the vote of Ken
lucky.
He carried with him the votes Of Ohio,
where Mr.. Adams received but 1880
popular votes, out of $4,000; Of Illinois,
where he received bat ,542 out OF 4,70O;
and of Missouri, where he received but
81 votes cut of 1900.
Under these circumstances, it was but
natural that the people of the entire West,
and particularly of Kentucky, should
have been shocked and astounded on lear
ming that the vote Of that Stale had been
cast for Mr.. Adams, and especially, as it
was followed by that other remarkable
circumstance OF the offer by Mr. Adams
and the acceptance by Mr.. Clay of the
Office of Secretary of State. They felt
mortified and indignant al the manner in
which their feelings and their will had
been trampled under foot, and their dear
est interests betrayed into the hands OF
him whom they had been taugh ito regard
as their worst enemy; and they awaited
the return of their Representatives TO call
Them to strict account.
THE MOTIVE.
A few days prior to the election, ru-
mors Of an attempt of the friends Of Mr..
Adams to buy the Presidency, by Offering
the Office Of Secretary of State 10 Mr..
Clay, were rife at Washington. These
rumors were brought before the public by
a letter from Washington to the Editor OF
the Columbian Observer, newspaper
then printed in Philadelphia. That letter
was as follows, viz:
| WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 1925.
| "Denr Sir: | take up my pen to in
form you of one of the most disgraceful
transactions that ever covered with nlamy
the Republican ranks. Would you believe
that men protesting democracy could be
found base enough 10 lay the axe at the
root OF the tree OF Liberty? Yet, strange
as it is, it is not less true. To give you a
full history of this transaction, would far
exceed the limits of letter. shall,
therefore, at once proceed TO give you a
brief account of such a bargain as can
, only be equalled by the famous Burr con-
spiracy of 1901. For some time past,
the friends of Clay have limited tina. they,
, like the Swiss, would fight for those who
would paw best. Orertures rere said 10
haze been made By the friends of Adams
to the friends Of Clay, Offering him the
: appointment of Secretary Of State fo'
his aid to elect Adams. And the friends
of Clay gave this information 10 the friends
of Jackson, and limited that if the friends
of Juckson would offer the same price
they would close with them. But none
of the friends of jackson would descend
to such barter and sale. 1t was not be.
! leved by any of the friends OF Jackson
that this contract would be ratified by The
: members from the States who had voteC
for Mr.. Clay. was of opinion, when
first heard of this transaction, that mer
protesting any honorable principle coulc
not, and would not be transferred, like thC
= planter does his negroes, or the farmer
:, MS team anu HofSeS' 1No aidTHl was OK
cited; we believed the Republic was safe
The nation having delivered Jackson into
!; the hands of Congress, backed by large
minority of their votes, there was, on m,
> mind, no doubt that Congress would res
pond to the will of the nation, by electinl
the individual they had declared 10 b.
+ their choice. Contrary 10 this erpecta
ton, it is now aScertained TO a certainty
S, that Henry Clay has transferred his inter
e, est to John Quincy Adams. As consid
r. Grafton of this abandonment of duy to hi
k. constituents, it is said and believed, SHOULD