The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-10-18
MIR. CLAY'S PROFANITY.
Appended to General McCallas Gard are, also,
the following statements, viz:


From the New York Plebian.
There are some Wings so lost to all regard for
truth, that they even deny that Henry Clay ad-
dressed to Mr.. Speaker Polk the insulting and pro-
fame language attributed to him. There is no more
doubt that Clay used the language than that the
sun shines. Not only have we the evidence of
Mr.. CLANCY, of Ohio, who was at that time men,
ber of Congress- but we have also the testimony Of
the Hon. r. F. Hallett of Boston, and the Hon.
William Parmenter, member Of Congress from
Massachusetts,. On the 4th of July last, the Hon.
B. F. Hallett delivered an address to the Demo
cracy on Bunker Hill. The Hon. William Par
menter was President of the day Mr.. Hallet.
speaking of Mr. Clay's profanity, said;
"With what conscience can Massachusetts, man,
who has sworn to support the Constitution, vote
for Henry Clay! Denial cannot be broad enough,
nor charity itself large enough to cover over the
avowed moral delinquencies in his character
But, without referring to other well authenticated
charges in this respect, which seriously affect
the private character of Mr.. Clay, and which
place his pure, exemplary, and virtuous opponent,
MIR. Polk, in eminent and beautiful contrast with
him, will take this occasion, which has never oc-
Cured before in presence of the people, to prove,
as effectualy as any fact could be established in
court oflaw, one grave charge which is sturdy
denied by his supporters, that of vulgar and vim
dctve profanity in violation of all decency and all
rules in the Hall of the House Of Representatives.
"When Mr.. Barley, the eloquent delegate from
Ohio, announced the vote of that State in the Ma
tional Convention. for Mr.. Polk, he happily said,
(omitting the profanlty) ''Ohio now says to Hen
ry Clay, as Henry Clay said to James K Polk,
$50 home-where you belong" Did Mr.: Clay
utter that profanity?
"On the 9th of February, 1888, you, Mr.. Presi-
dent, were ON the floor of the House Of Represcn-
tatives as a member, and l was there as specta-
tor. We were both within few feet of Henry Clay,
who with other Senators, had been attracted to the
House, by the exciting question then pending upon
the contested seats of the Mississippi members
The vote was taken and was tie. James K Polk.
the dlgnifed, prompt, and efficient Speaker, was
in the Chair and with his usual cearness of decis
ondecared the vote: ''l77 in the affirmative, 1T
1t is a vote" AT this instant, Henry Clay, look
ing directly at the Speaker with an expression and
gesture shall never forget, exclaimed, $50
home, God damn you, ociere yOu bciOng!" You
distinctly heard it, sir Mr.. CLANCY, of Ohio,
heard it; Mr.. Gallup, of New York, heard it.; and
we subsequently compared our recollections and
they agreed in every word; and, if called on our
oaths, we should be obliged to attest 10 that fact
Am right, sir?
[Mr. Parmenter: You are. 1t is correct.]
"Fellow- citizens, you now have the fact, and
from this proof of one charge so pertnacously de-
MED by our opponents, you may judge of the cred
it their denial of other charges is entitled to-
[Cheers.] Is it not singular coincidence that
the rude Senator that committed that outrage, and
the dignifed Speaker whom it was desinged to in
suit should now stand before the American people
to decide between them upon their claims to the
highest Office in their gift? And which of these
men would New England fathers like to hold up
as an example to their sons, With what pretence
to sincerity can the teachers of religion and good
morals pray for men to rule over US, who fear God
and reverence his holy name, and then 60 from
their pupts to the POLLS, and vote for Henry Clay!
With what force can father rebuke his son for
profanity and other vices, who knows that he has
given his vote for that man? And yet the minis
ers will do it, and the pious professors will do it,
and the Deacons will do it, and then turn round
and rebuke sin, and thank God they are not so bad
as those publicans and Locofocos!''
AT a sale ofthe property Of Thomas H. Clay, in
the beginning of the year 1s43, Henry Clay, his
father, was present, and becoming very much dis
pleased at the low prices for which some of the
property sold, he swore very angrily; and, among
other things, said that he did "not care Cd
damn whether the creditors got damned cent of
their debts or not, if they stood by and saw the
property sacrificed"
THOMAS MONTAGUE.
September Is, 1914.
Mr.. CLANCY and Mr. Gholson, members of Con-
gress from Mississippi and Ohio, were standing by
and heard Mr.. Clay's profanne apostrophe to COL
Polk.
By this and other conclusive testimony the fol-
lowing points are proved, viz:
Mr.. Clay is DUELIST.
He is GAMBLER.
He is a PROFANE SWEARER.
He is a SABBATH BREAKER
Mr.. Clay is well known by multitudes of men
and women to be guilty of other practices perhaps
more immoral than any OF these; yet moral men
and religious men are jealous to place the embodi-
ment of these vices at the head Of the Government
as an example to their children!
Vice is to be rewarded and clad in robes fpow-
er, because it has talents to excuse it! The pro-
Tossing Christian, who would support this man,
with full knowledge Of his vices, ,oould uote JOr
the deua against an angel, if he were but for
National Bank, plundering Tariff, and the rest
of the enslaving system of the Wing aristocracy,
and the angel against it
Whara do tho Ran runtc moi tha;rl