The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-08-27
From the NJ Y. Evening Post.
MR.. CLAY ON DUELLING.

The following letter from Henry Clay, in reply TO
address TO him requesting hls opinion on the prac-
tice OF dueDg, appears IN the wing papers OF THIS
morning, from which copy 1T is there printed
The Republic speaks of II as admirable" but IN
our estimation il is the very reverse--i is abompa-
be- II Is Inconsistent, shufng, and deceptive, aud
places Mr.. Clay in light both man and mo-
ralis, which is disgracelul 10 himself and to his
country
1t is inconsistent, because in paragraph Mr..
Clay says he is opposed TO dueng and IN another,
that he will not make ga declaration one way the
other" 10 1924" he says, g expressed "A strong
condemnation" of the practice Ian expression, by
the way, which he seems TO have forgotten, for he
subsequently sent a challenge to fight John Ran
dolph and in 1874 he says that he cannot tell whether
he would fight duel or not, although slxty-seven
years Of age.
II is shufiing, because il attempts TO evade direct
answer TO the questions addressed to him, and leaves
the reader to put what construction he pleases on
the words. He disapproves of duelling, he cannot
conceive of circumstances that would provoke him
to fight, but he willsay nothing, side the other,
lest he should appear ridiculous We can assure
Mr. Clay that open and manly answer would have
been less lud crous than this half faced trimming be-
tween duty and duelling
II is deceptive, because Mr.. Clay wishes to create
the impression that he knew very little about the
| combat between Cilley and Graves, while the very
correspondence with Mr. Wise, to which he refers
proves that the form of challenge drawn up in
his own hand writing, and that he regularly
suited throughout the unpleasant business.
The letter, them we say is disgraceiul to MIR Clay;
besides that after all it leaves uncertainty whe-
ther Mr. Clay would not go to the field OF combat if
he fanced himself called TO do so. That an old man,
the father of family, conspicuous statesman,
whose opinions influence the moral sentiments of
thousands OF his fellow men, should thus equivocae
IN regard TO practice at war with all the laws OF
God and man that such man should decline TO say
whether he would deliberately 60 out To kill his
friend and brother, exceedingly Dainful
Gle, and discovers utter want of moral sensi-
by.
ASHLAND, August |, 1874.
Gentlemen duly received your letter of the 18th
utimo, the subject of duelling, and appreciate
fully the friendly plous and patriotic motives which
prompted you to address me. Perncious the
practice undoubtedly is, hope you will excuse me
when say that thee are other questions in pub
lie affairs, of much higher and Of more general i'm
poytance The victims, ,oares of that practice
are but few in number, and bear no comparison with
the immense number Of sufferers from the rejection
of wise measures of National policy, or the adoption
of those Of an opposite character.
EXPIRE, sed, in strong terms of condemnation, my
opinion against duelling in letter which addressed
to my constituents, IN March, 1924, which is to be
found in The published collection of my speeches.
Again, within few years past, gave evidence of
my strong disapprobation Of it by voting in the Sen
ate Of the United States, for the bill for suppresslng
With these Roofs of my sentiments, | think, gen.
tlemen, you ougp to be salt fed But you ask me
whether II ! we're challenged to fight duel would
reject the invitation' Considering my age which is
DOW past 81, feel that should expose myself to
ridicu,e II | were 10 proclaim whether would or
would not fight duel. Ii is certainly one Of the
most unlikely events that possibly be imagined
and Icannoi conceive IN tchie should be pro
poked or tempted 10 go totie field Of combat But as
cannot ioresee all the contingencies which may posi-
bly, arse, IN the short remnant Of my life and for the
reason which have already stated, Of avoiding any
exposure of myself to ridicue cannot reconcile Il
tony sense 9propriety 70 make declaration ,oay
the other.
You have, gentlemen, done me some but not full
justice, IN respect TO the affair Of he amented Cill-y
When FIRST obtained any knowledge of his difficulty
with Mr.. Graves, did not think u at there was the
smallest occasion for combat between them | be-
eNed, from the first, that the matter would be ami.
caby accommodated; TO that end all my exertons
were directed. did not know that ii was not ac-
commodaed until the day when and after the parties
went on TO hight On that day was confined 10 my
room by Illness and il was altogether accidental that
obtained information TO the plan or the hour OF
their meeting. Contrary to the impression which
you entertain did advise the employment Of the po.
lice TO arrest the parties and TO the duel The
constabes accordingly vent out in search OF them,
but like myself being ignorant Of the time and place
oil Their meeting, they mislook the route and failed
m the accomplishment Of The object. II you would
read attentlyely the whole OF my correspondence
WIN Mr. Wise, 10 which you have referred YOU will
md That II sustains the preceding statement
am, gentlemen, with great respect
Your friend and obedient servant,
II. CLAY.
Messrs. Alex. Plumer, VIM. Campbell, &c