The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-03-29
From Kendall's Expositor
ie~hOi %'O' -
"THOU SHALT NOT KILL.''

n the subject cfthe Presidentiai Election.
"a Deacon-I come to advise with you as to Ii
, conrse which,as Christan,I ought to pursue
, the next Presidential election.
: .Minister-We what are your dificulties'
= D--I am true wing, and hope true Chrii
tian. In 1928, was much inclined to vote fc
Gen. Jackson on account of the great services h
u had rendered the country, but you advised m
I that, as true Christian, could not do SO, becaus
d he had set atdefsnce the laws of God and man, b
r fighting duel. The wings now present us can
: ddate for the Presidency who has fought two du
1 els, and been an accompce in third. What an
| l to do?
, MI have heard that Clay was duelist, bu
have never inquired into the particulars.
f d. have, forI thought it my duty to do SC
when called on TO put him at the head of the ma
ton to see the laws faithfully executed. Shall
give you the particulars'
M-Go on.
| D.-Hereis Biography of Henry Clay" writ.
ten by his particular friend, George D. Prentice.
AT page 80. we are told he accepted challenge
fro'n COL Davies, but it was adjusted. At page
40, is an account of his first duel. Here are the
words of the Biographer, viz
"Mr. Clay brought resolution before the House
1.-THE Kentucky House of Representatives. that each
member, for the purpose of encouraging the indus
try of the country, should clothe himself in gar
ments of domestic maLdfacture This resolution
called into exercise all Mr.. Marshall's talents of
vituperation. He denounced il as the project of
demagogue, and applied variety of epithets to its
author, which no parliamentary rules could Justify.
Mr. Clay's language in reply was probably ola
harsh character, and the quarrel proceeded from
one stage to another, till according to the laws of
honor. which every Kentuckian of that day was
taught to reverence, no alternative remained to Mr.
Clay, and he was required TO challenge his antago-
MIST The challenge was accepted. The parties
met and the first shot was exchanged without 9TH
er effect than slight woundto Mr. Marshall. On
the second third trial. Mr.. Marshall's ball gave
Mr.. Clay slight flesh wound in the leg, and the
seconds now interfered and prevented continu-
ance of the combat"
This account is given by friend an apoogist
But it shows that Mr. Clay was tie challenger, and
take away the life of a fellow man.
M-But does not the Historian say Mr.. Clay
has repented this early crime'
DIE says, "we have no doubt that Mr.. Clay
erred in this affair with Mr. Marshall and is said
that he himself looks back to the incident with dis
appreciation and regret" If there had been any
sincere repentance, it would have shown itselfin
his subsequent conduct So far from that, some |
seventeen years afterwards, he publicly proclaim
ed his determination 10 commit the same crime if |
he could find an antagonist, and the next year did
commit it
M.-Let US have the particulars.
D.-Prior to the election of President by the
House OF Representatives in 1926, it was charged,
in letter pubshedin Philadelphia, purportng to
be written by member of the House, that Mr..
Clay had bargaincd to make Mr.. Adams President
on condition of receiving prefermcnta at his hands,
whereupon Mr.. Clay published card in the news
papers, which concluded as follows, VIZ.
81 pronounce the member, whoever he may be,
a BASE and INFAMOUS CALUMNIAToR.
A BASTARD AND A LIAR; and if he dare
unvei himself and avow his name, will hold him
responsible as here admit myselfto be, to all the
Twas which govern and regulate the conduct of
men of honor.
"H. CLAY"
Mr.. Clay was then Speaker of the House of Rep
resentaives and it was from that high station that
he thus hurled defiance at the laws of God and man.
shocking all the moral and religious feelings ofthls
great nation.
M.-But no duel grew out of that, believe
D.-No; but it was not in consequence of any I
reracton or repentance on the part of Mr.. Clay, +;
IS the events of the next year amply demon {
,trlte.
M Go on. {
D.-Mr. Adams was elected President by the
lid of Mr. Clay's vote and influence, and appoint
I'd Mr.. Clay Secretary of State In speech in G
he Senate at the next session of Congress, John (
Randolph characterized this coalition of known t
political enemies, as the union of the "Easfey,a n
Puritan aDih the Western Biackleg." Mr. Clay o
sent challenge. Mr. Cay's Biogra- +
'her has not thought proper, in the text of his work
o give us any account of this duel but in the s.
newspapers of the day, find the following ofici- Fl
] account of the meeting, viz; v
"On Saturday, the Sth April, at half past four Ii
'clock, meeting took place between Mr.. Clay
nd Mr.. Randolph, upon call of the former, in t,
consequence of certain expressions used by the C
after in recent debate in the Senate, which Mr.. al
LAY considered offensive, and applied personally Il
o him.
"Mr. Randolph was attended by Col. Tatnall,
f Georgia. and Major Hamilton of South Caroli- G
a. Mr.. Clayby Gen. Jessup of the Army, and I
Ir johnson ofLouisiana N
"The parties met on the ground exchanged "
alutations, and took their stations. il
"The pistol of Mr.. Randolph, which was sus- o
ened by his side, went off. 1t was perceived to 70
e an accident, and SO pronounced by Mr.. Clay; m