The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-09-06
SPEECH
MR.. LYNN BOYD, OF KY,
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of the Whole.
Mr.. BOYD obtained the floor, and said: My
constituents feel very deep interest in the proper
and permanent adjustment of this Tariff question
They are in favor of a Tariff for revenue and op
posed to the principle of protection, which they be-
leve to be unwise for the nation, and unequal and
unjust TO themselves. Sir, my constituents are in
the main an agricultural people; they come not
here to oimportune you for exclusive favors of any
kind-Whilst the capitalists of the country band to-
gether, and as in a common cause, are seen perpet-
ually besieging the Halls of legislation for Banks
and Tariffs, and every other conceivable scheme
of monopoly, by means of which TO swell their
oyergrosn profits, my constituents, in common
with their brethren ofthe producing class through
out the Union, are found at home upon their farms
or IN their workshops, content to rely upon their
own strong arms and the generous bounties of ma
ture for competence, comfort and wealth. Scru-
puously abstaining from the invasion of the busi-
ness and profits of others, by of partial egis
laon, they ask in turn to be let alone in the enjoy
nent OF the fruits of their honest industry Sir,
the demand is SO just and equitable. that with
due regard to correct principle of legislation, you
cannot. you dare not disregard it.
But, Sir, did not raise to make speech on the
Tariff. Hoping the bill upon your table may be
passed, must, with the indulgence of the CON-
mittee, avail myself ofthe present occasion to say
few words in reply to my colleague, [Mr. White,]
who has thought proper to introduce and build
whole hours speech upon the subject matter of a
letter addressed by me to Messrs. Coles and Hop
kins ofVa in replyto certain terrogatories, touch
ing the Presidential election of lS24-5 and Mr..
Clay's course in regard to it, and the Bankrupt
law of 1911.
Sir, regret the necessity which compels me TO
take part the discussion of matters so foreign to
the subject of the bill before US; but have no al
tentative left me. 1t was not who dragged the
subject of the letter alluded to into this discussion;
for that, my colleague Mr. Whie) Is alone respon-
sible
Before approach the subject of that letter,
wish to say to my colleague and to the country,
that am among the last upon this floor, or (as
trus) in the world, who would, unjus,ly or ungen-
erously, attack the reputation of any man earth
for political purposes; and if in what have said or
shall hereafter say. oil this subject, my colleague
or any other human being, shall point out any er-
ror of fact into which may have fallen, will say
TO him and the country, that there is nothing in
The composition of my nature which would pre-
ven me from making prompt and ample repara-
ton. But, Sir, whilst with pride and pleasure
would do this, | must be permitted to add, that in
raI,i u, otba Of
cernment, whether affecting public men or public
measures, there is power under heaven that shall
restrain me from its investigation, with all that
feedom aud fullness which, in my judgment, its i'm
portance demands.
The letter referred to assumes directly by i'm
plication, that between Mr.. Adams and Mr. Clay
during the Presidential Canvass of 1924, there
were unfriendy relations, which began as far back
as the negotiation of the treaty of Ghent in 1914,
and continued down to the period when the popu-
lar vote was cast between those gentlemen, as op
posing candidates for the Presidency in 1924; that
Mr.. Adams was unpopular in the whole Western
Country and especially in Kentucky; that gen.
era belief existed in that State, confirmed il not
produced by Mr.. Clay himself that Mr.. Adams,
as statesman, was hostile to the interests of that
section of the Unon that direct issue was made |
between those gentlemen as early as 1922, in refer
ence to that subject, involving "errors both as to
matters of fact and matters Of opinions" that the ex-
position then promised by Mr. Clay, was never
made; that prior to the election of President in |
1925 by the House OF Representatives, the Legis-
lat,ire of Kentucky, in concurrence with the will
of the people, requested Mr.. Clay and the Kentuc-
ky delegation to vote for Gen. Jackson; that some
time before the election, il was stated by Mr. Clay's
confidential friends in Kentucky, that he would be |
Secretary of State If Mr.. Adams were made Presi-
dent; that in consequence Of that information, let
tiers were written to members of Congress to in
duce them to vote for Mr.. Adams; that Mr.. Adams
was elected President by the votes of Mr.. Clay and
his friends, and did appoint Mr.. Clay Secretary of
State; and, finally, that by an investigation in the
Senate Of Kentucky in 1928 and subsequent dis
closures, it was made to appear, that those who
stated in Kentucky before the election, that Mr..
Clay would be Secretary Of State if Mr.. Adams
were elected President, did so upon the authority
of a letter from Mr.. Clay himself
HOSTILITY OF MEssRs CLAY AND ADAMS.
In proof Of the unpopularity of Mr.. Adams in
the West, prior to 1925, may rely with confidence
on the language then held almost without excep-
ton by Western presses and public men. No man
old enough to recollect passing events during the
ten years preceding 1925, can be ignorant Of the
fact Perhopsit was in part owing to his parent
age, political education and geographical position;
bu! small share of it was attributable to impress
lions created by Mr.. Clay himself !. 0h k
II was charged by Mr.. Adams, that Mr.. Clay's
Efforts to injure him commenced at the negotia- |
ion Of the Treaty Of Peace, at Ghent, in 1914 In
me the dispatches off the American Commission :
'rs dated December 25th 1914, viii be found the i
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