The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-03-29


from Mr. Graves. puporiiDg to be from Col. H
he meant no disrespect to Mr. Graves, beca,l1
entertained for him then, as he does now. he n
est respect and the most kind feeling; but 4baf
declined to receive the note because he cbose Il
to be drawn into any controversy with Col webb. 4
Yet, after this second disavowal of any dsresl,ec,
to Mr., Graves, was this duel pushed. under fhs
advice of Mr., Clay, to fatal termination. "a
But this was not the last Of Mr. Cay's srcrcv
He was duly informed Of the acceptance Of ths
challenge written by him, ,and Of The arrangement
to fghtwith the deadly rifle. In the same letter he
says: 4
"My beliefs, that never saw the terms accord
ing to which.the combat was to be conducted, prior
to the duel, although think they were stated and
erpiaimdto me. .pro6uble dyyou.' (Mr. Wise)
That e was in possession of all the particulars.
proved by the statements of Charles King and
Reverdy Johnson, Esqrs, published by Mr.. Clay
himself in which the former says, Mr. Clay show
ed them the papers, but the latter says. cat
neither interview were we shown the written chal-
ienge and acceptance or the terms of the duel 1tf
had them explained to Us only By NJ Clay.
BY Mr.. Clay's own evidence, therefore, it ap-
pears, that he advised the written correspondence
which led to the duel, that he drew the challenge,
and that he knew the terms on which they were to
fight.
M.-Well when he knew that the parties had ar.
ranged to commit mutual murder. did he not in
woke the power of the law to prevent t9
D.--So far from that, he directly refused to do
so' In the letter already referredto, Mr. Clay saws:
"B'ing Metritnd Of Mr.. Graves, Icould not In.
Uohe the authority ofthe police 10 prevet the duel''
His friends, Messrs. Chas. King and Reverdy
johnson, concur in stating, that on their urgent ap-
peal to Mr. Clay to aid in arresting the duel Clay
replied in substance, "that we saw how he was
situated, Mr.. Graves had consulted him. He ought
not, he said, to have been consulted; but having &
been, the honor ofhis friend who was the challenger
might be compromised by any advance on his (Mr.
Cays) part to arrest the progress of the affair.
These gentlemen found Mr.. Graves with Mr. Clay
on that occasion, it then being past six O'Clock in
the evening, and early the nert morning the a,o-
fuf Murder ,cds consu,nmated almost s,ghtef.the
CapitoH or
Mr. Clay says, he hid not expect the duel to be
fought the next day, because Mr.. Graves had not
at that time procured rifle; but Mr. Clay's COL
eagueifrom Kentucky in lthe Senate, and onelof
MS particular friends in the House. borrowed one
1bom t,celue o'clock al night with which the fatal
Iced was committed in the morning.
Mr.. Wise, who was MIR. Graves second, has de-
,lared that the duel was caused by Clay,s advice
which differed from his own; and Mr. Clay saws
in his letter:
81 admit, without any reservation whatever,
hat on all the points Of the controversy respecting
which he (Graves) asked my opinion, gave it to
lin freely, according to the best of my judgment"
1t then appears:
That Mr. Clay helped to concert this murder.
And that when the plan was all complete, he re-
used to aid in arresting it.
Does not the blood of Cilley rest on Mr.. Claws
lead'
M.-But Mr.. Graves was Mr.. Clay's friend;
nd he says he was bound to give his advice when
sked.
D.-That may be; but can any man lawfully adj
moving that murder was in contemplation, ac- i
ut himself of his duty to- God and man without
aking effcientsteps to prevent it! With Mr. Clay,
his was not "an affair of feeling" like his duel with
randolph; he at least could treason in this case
Mis- your case fully stated'
D.--No; Ihave one point more. The Constitu-
on of the United States says
T.
"For any speech or debate in either house. thew
The members of Congress) shall not be questioned
! any other place"
When Henry Clay was appointed Secretary of
tate IN 1925, he took the following oath prescribed
law, in pursuance of the constitution; viz.
HENRY CLAY, do solemnly s,oear that II
I'LL 'rpport the Constitution Of the United States
0 HELP ME GOD"
Yet, the words for which he challenged and at
mpted 10 kill John Randolph pere spoken in de-
lte in the Senate Of the United States If Mr.. \
lay had been private citizen, this challenge Z
ould have been violation Of the Constitution;
ing Secretary of State, and under oath to support
at instrument, it was not only a violation OF the
but ofhis SWORN COVENANTS
nth HIS GOD.
How can |, as Christian, or Good citizen, sup
'rt for Presidenta man who not only violates he
0st sacred la,cs, both haman and dipi,ae, but sets
naught his SOLEMN oATHS. What win
'come Of our laws, or our constitution or our K
untry, whena man Who'll capable of becoming "
excited by can affair Of feeling" that he can
t reason though he should, shall hold in his
nd the Executive Powerof this great Republicl
aves, the principal in this tragedy, is now spred-
out his bloody hands to the people of Kentucky
plorIng them to vote for his principal! Is this
company for christians'
Nj confess you have made out stronger;
Sc against Mr.. Clay than Isupposed possible.
lie has twice shown himself willing to commit &
rider IN duels and tDice ATTEMPTED IT, "A