The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-09-13
wooDsFELD oHo FRIDAY SEPTEMBER

the subscriptions, to call him and he would pay
him the balance of the expense; that he called on
Mr.. Smith who paid him the money; that the
subscriptions falling short, he again called on Mr.
Clay, who sent him to Mr.. Smith for $25 more.
The pamphlet was printed in The latter part oi
1928"
Mr.. WHITE (Mr. B. yielding the floor) remark
ed that Mr.. Tanner was now thorough going
democrat, and an editor of one Of the most full
booded democratic papers in that State.
Mr.. BOYD said that was true, but he had never
known Of his testimony having been contradcted
then or since.
Mr.. Clay's direct agency in giving the pamphlet
circulation was proved in 1928, by the publication
of letter from him to the author, of which the
following is an extract, viz.
"DEAR Sir Several inquiries have been made
about your pamphlet on the fisheries by members
copy to be sent to Mr.. David Sloane, of the Ohio
Senate, at Columbus; another to the Hon. Henry
r. Storrs, and another to the Hon. John Sloane,
here. Will you be good enough to have them
for warded?"
Thee facts show the hostility existing be-
tween Mr. Adams and Mr. Clay. They show
that Mr.. Clay was himself active in destroy.
ing Mr. Adams character and popularity in the
west, not only as politician, but as truthful,
honest, and patriotic mau; and that Mr.. Adams
knew it. They show that, well understanding
each other, Mr.. Clay was under promise to
! H. NJ
held him at defiance. This was their personal
attitude towards each other when the popular vote
was given for President in 1924.
THE CABINET SUCCESSION.
But there was general principle on which Mr..
Clay and his friends were opposed to Mr. Adams,
totally incompatible with giving him their support
in that election. 1t grew out of the position Mr.
Adams held as member of Mr.. Monroe's cabinet
So quietly had the Secretary OF State succeeded
to the Presidency in the cases Of Mr.. Madison and
Mr.. Monroe, that many republicans began to be
alarmed at the idea that this might become the
regular order of succession, and that each Presi-
dent would virtually appoint his successor, the
whole power aud patronage of the administration
being steadily devoted to the object of making the
head of the cabinet the next President.
We have seen that, as early as July, 1918, the
Reporter Mr.. Clay's organ at Lexington, said,
"Mr. Adams is designated by the President and
his presses the heir apparent-the next success
scr TO the Presidency. Since the principle was
introduced there has been rapid degeneracy in
the chief magistrate; and the prospect of still
grester degeneracy is strong and alarming" &c.
The Presidential campaign of 1924 may be said
to have been opened by Mr. Clay's friends in 1921
or 1922 In the first part Of the latter year,
series of essays ascribed, know not how justly,
to Mr.. Clay's own pen, appeared in the Frankfort
Argus advocating his pretensions. In his intro
duclory number the writer held the following
language, viz:
"The National Intellgencer is not, precisely,
the most fitting paper to issue this edict command
ing silence. 1t might, indeed, suit the taste of
their official patrons and employers, that as little as
possible should be published OIL this subject They
may prefer that the prescribed line of legitimacy,
according to which, the heir apparent should be
translated from the department of State to the
palace, be preserved unbroken and entire. But
they ough. to remember the practice of Rome, by
which the Cssars, themselves, to secure that tran
guilty which the editors OF the Intelgencer so
mnch desire, provided beforehand for the imperial
succession has not been engrafted on our consitu-
tion.''
In July, 1924, the friends Of Mr. Clay in Ohio,
published an Address signed by the Hon. Joseph
Vance, as chairman, in which they set forth the
grounds on which they supported, and intended
to adhere to him. Their "hrst object" in bringing
him forward, as stated by themselves, was as fol-
lows, viz:
1.-The considerations here briefly hinted, deter
mined many of the most rejecting citizens of the
country to adopt the opinion, that no member of
the present executive cabinet ought to be selected
to succeed MIR. Monroe; and this determination
without any dsrespect to the talents or character
of the incumbents themselves. 1t rested upon
public principle and upon public duty, and upon
these alone. In looking around for some person
out Of the cabinet and unconnected with the
executive administration of the national govern
ment, large portion Of the citizens of the west,
naturally directed their attention to Henry Clay
Of Kentucky"
"Were Mr.. Clay withdrawn, the result as to the
election by the electors, would most probably be
he same; or if it were not, il would place in the
presidential chair one of the present cabinet; an
,vent which it was the first object of the friends
If Mr.. Clay to prevent; not in reference to the
men, but the principle, Mr.. Clay was nominated
the persuasion that all his fellow citizens, enter
aiming the same general views would unite in his
upport. Had this been the case-had this UNION
AIKEN place, his election by the electors, would
ave been certain. II is the clear conviction of
lis supporters, that .ie object Of nominating him,
an only be attained by adhering to him, that to
bandon him is to abandon that object and under