The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-06-28

he made Adams President of the United States,
and Adams in return, made him his Secretary OF
State, and placed him, in what he afterwards
termed "the line Of safe precedents" for elevation
to the Presidencyor, to state il still more briefly,
that SO far as in him lay,
He sold himself his constituents and has co,ni-
try to a political and personal enemy for the cor
rupt and selfish purpose Of obtaining the office Of
Secretary IF State, and securing the succession to
the highest office in the land.
POSITION OF MEN AND PARTIES IN
| 1924.
"The Hartford Convention, the victory of Or
leans, the peace of Client prostrated the name OF
federalism. Its votaries abandoned it through
shame and modification, and now call themselves
republicans" Such was the language of Jeffer-
son, in letter written to General La Fayette, near
the close of the year lS23--See 4h u0.. of Jefer-
sons Correspondence, p. Ss4
1t was indeed true that federalism had nominally
ceased to exist There were then four candidates
for the presidency in the field, all seeking support
from the republican party. Three of these, An
drew Jackson, William H. Crawford and Henry
Clay had always been associated with that party.
One of them, John Quincy Adams, was the son of
that black cockade federalist, John Adams, and in
the outset of his public life, had shown himself
one of the most bitter and vindctve among the
apostatized from his fathers party, and became a
supporter of the Jeffersonian administration. So
managing as to make the republican party believe
him sincere, he was taken into favor, became the
recipient of their country land at the time of which
we speak, was President Monroe's Secretary OF
will OF his old associates, that the great majority
Of the republicans became distrustful of him; and
in the same letter just quoted, Mr.. Jefferson,
speaking of him as "the northernmost candidate, ,,
declared that he would "get every federal vote in
the Union" It should here be remarked that
when Mr.. Jefferson said that the federalists had
! changed their name, he added, "but the name
alone is changed, the principles are the same"
The republicanism of Jackson and Crawford had
| never been distrusted.
MIR. Clay had many splendid qualities, and had
been of some service to the republican cause. In
argument against national bank, and he had gwen
| vigorous support to the war. Still he had not
gained the confidence of the people. His abilities
were deemed more snowy than solid, and, in seve-
raj instances, he had exhibited an overweening
ambition, and an ungenerous jealousy Of those
supposed 10 stand in his way. Thomas M. RAN
dolph, the sonin-law and intimate friend of Thom-
as Jefferson, has given US Mr.. Jeffersons opinion
| of Mr. Clay, in these Words
"Toward Mr.. Clay, as a politician, Mr.. Jeffer-
son constantly manifested a strong repugnance,
andoften said that he was merely splendid orator,
without any valuable knowledge from experience
or study, or any determined public principles
founded in sound political science, either practical
theoretical See Miles Register. voi sS, p.2l.
MIR CLaY'S RELATIONS TOW.aRD5 3
JACKSON AND CRAWFORD.
In his speech on the Seminole war, in 1918 Mr..
Clay expressed his high respect for General jack
son in the following WORDS
"Towards that distinguished Captain, who shed
so much glory on our country, whose renown con-
sttutes SO great portion of its moral property,
never had, never can have, any other feelings
than those of the most profound respect, and of
the utmost kindness-See JMail07y's edition Of
Clay's speeches, voi. l, p 365.
In consequence, however, of Mr.. Clay's course
upon the Seminole campaign, temporary estrange.
ment occurred between him and Gen. jackson;
but in his address to the public of December 1927,
Mr.. Clay, audng to his opinions in regard to
that campaign, says that,
s'They never had been supposed by me to form
any just occasion for private enmity between us,
and that none had been cherished on my part"
In the same address, Mr.. Caly testiies that
"fIiendy intercourse" was restored between them
at the session of 1928, and, fter admitting that
they then repeatedly dined together. he adds:
ssWe frequently met, in the course of the winter,
always respectfully addressing each other. See
Miles Register, uoi SO, p. 803.
Even after, the coalition, in his address to his
constituents, of the date of March 26, 1926, Mr..
Clay was compelled to speak Of General Jackson
in these terms;
"ln speaking of General Jackson, am aware
of the delicacy and respect which are justly due
to. that distinguished citizen. 1t is far from my
purpose to attempt to disparage him. could not
do Il if | were capable Of making the attempt -
'.He has displayed great skill and bravery, as
military commander, and his own renown will
endure as long as the means exist OF preserving a
recollection Of human transactions. See Mts
address IN .Mdliory's edition, ,ivoi. l, p 495.
Mr.. Crawford was on friendly terms with Mr..
Clay. Early in the campaign he was prostrated
by sickness, and ceased to be regarded as formi-
dable candidate.
.AfR. CLaY'S RELATIONS TO JOHN @.
.aD.ayNS.-"THE ADJOURNED QUES-
TTON OF TERaCITY."
How stood Henry Clay and John Quincy Ad-
ams' A few facts will show that they were per-
sonal and political enemies.
Mr.. Adams and Mr.. Clay had been associated as
commissioners for the negotiation of the treaty OF
Ghent A difference arose between them, in that
negotiation, in respect to proposition, supported
by Mr.. Adams, to surrender to the British the
right Of free navigation of the Mississippi, as an
equivalent for the privilege of fishing on the Brit
ish coast Of North America. In 1922, book
was published by Mr.. Adams. on this subject, in
which he reflected severely on the character Of
Mr.. Clay. Mr. Clay was obliged to take some