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

to the National Intelligencer, dated the 18th of
November, 1922, in which, after declaring that
Mr. Adams had made erroneous statements, both
of fact and opinion, in regard to the transactions
at Client, he says:
"I WILL, at some future period, more prcpi-
tious than the present to calm and dispassionate
consideration, and when there can be no nisrepre-
sentaton of motives, lay before the public Dsrra-
tive of those transactions as understand them"
This was published in the National InteIligencer
at Washington on the 18th of December, 1922.
On the 18th of December, the very next day, Mr..
Adams sent to the Inteiiigencer reply to Clay,
beginning with sneering allusion to ga note from
Mr.. Henry Clay" instead of the Honorable Hen
ry Clay, and ending with the following keenly
pointed paragraph
s'But as to the adjournment Of that publication
to a period "more propitious than the present to
calm and dispassionate consideration, and when
there can be no Misrepresentation of motives" it
may chance to be postponed until both of US shall
have been summoned to account for our errors
before higher tribunal than that of our country,
feel myself now called upon to say, that let the
appropriate dispositions, when and how they Will
expose the open day and secret night of the trans
actions at Ghent, the statements both of fact and
opinion in the papers which have written and
published, in relation to this controversy, will in
every particular, essential or important to the inte-
rests of the naton or to the character Of Mr. Clay
be found to abide mistaken the test of human
scrutiny, of talents and of time.
"JoHN Quincy ADAMS"
This Is the affair usually referred to as ''the
adjourned question of veracity." For the sake of
the coalition, Mr.. Clay has pocketed gross insult,
his veracity is still in dispute, and as Mr.. Adams
tauntingIy insinuated. the question will continue
to be postponed" until they both shall have been
summoned before the tribunal of another world.
CL.dY'S HOSTILITY TO ADAMS.
Mr.. Clay had, very early, been led to look upon
Adams as rival whom it was expedient to crush.
As early as 1918, the Kentucky Reporter, paper
edited by Mr.. Smith, friend, connexion and de-
voted instrument of Mr.. Clay, contained articles
bitterly attacking Mr.. Adams. From one of these,
of the date of July Is, 1918, we take the follow
ing extract, in relation to the appointment of Mr..
Adams by Mr.. Monroe,to to be Secretary of State:
'Mr. Adams is designated by the president and
his presses the heir apparent, the next successor
to the presidency Since the principle was intro.
duced, there has been rapid degeDeracy in the
chief magistrate; and the prospect of still greater
degeneracy is strong and alarming. Admit the
people should acquiesce in the presidential ap-
pointment of Mr.. Adams to that high office; who,
again will be chosen his successor? Will it be
Josiah Quincy, H. G. Otis, or Rufus King! An
aistocrat at least if not traitor will be our por
tion."
In the Presidential contest, Clay regarded Ad
ans his chief opponent. He seemed utterly
h<>lI
had upon the esteem of the people. On the 10th
of February, 1928, he wrote letter from WASH
ington to Amos Kendall, then in Kentucky, in
which he says:
"Judging from present appearances, the contest
will be between Mr.. Adams and me-"
Mr.. Kendall was then the warm and intimate
friend of Mr.. Clay. He abandoned Clay when he
found that Clay had abandoned his republican
principles, and allied himself to Adams
On the 18th of December, of the same year,
Clay again wrote to Kendall as follows,
'.There is an effort making to get UP caucus
doubt its success. Mr.. Adams is weaker to the
north than supposed him to be, if is to judge
from what he hears at this place. My prospects
are very good"
CL.aY'S .aTT.aCKS ON AD.aJMS.
In the fall of 1922, Mr.. Clay procured series
of articles signed "Wayne," to be published in the
"Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Gazette" (then, as
now, Clay paper) for the purpose of prejudicing
the people of Ohio against John Quincy Adams
These articles charged Mr.. Adams with "aa un-
feeling policy" with "giuig our Wives and chill.
dren for fish, and bartering the blood Of our citi
Sens for money" with policy which "would
crimson our fresh fields with the blood Of our
border brethren, and light the midnight forest with
the flames of their dwellings" "John Quincy
Adams" said one of these articles, scan aever
receive the vote of Ohio. He is too ignorant of
our interests, or he disregards them" Such was
the language sanctioned by Mr.. Clay in 1922 In
the ensuing year, pamphlet was written in Ken
lucky, at his inshgation, by Mr.. Kendall, on the
| subject of the fisheries, in which Mr.. Adams was
charged with hostility to the west, with violation
OF instructions, and with duplicty, falsehood, and
almost every thing dishonorable and base in a
public man. Mr. Adams was denounced in it as
'm arfm sophist, a clumsy negoe,ator," !" and as
possessing "views too erroneous, feelings too
sectional and temper too vindictive for the chief
magistrate Of free people,"
For printing this pamphlet, Mr.. Clay paid to
Mr.. Tanner of Lexington, Ky. the sum of one
hundred dollars, as was proven by Mr.. Tanners
own testimony before the Legislature of Kentucky,
in 1928. He was also personally active in the
circulation Of it, as is proven by the following
letter to its author, part Of which he have before
quoted; sata
"DEAR SIR Several inquiries have been made
about your pamphlet on the fisheries, by members
of Congress, and have promised to request copy
to be sent to Mr.. David Sloane, Of the Ohio Sen
ate, at Columbus; another to the Hon. Henry R.
StoTs, and another to the Hon. John Sloane, here.
Will you be good enough to have them forwarded !
"There is an effort making to get up caucus
doubt its success. Mr. Adams is weaker to the
north than supposed him to be, if one is to Judge
fromiwhat he hears at this place. My prospects
are very good. Yours with great esteem,
| "H. CLAY.
oWashington, nth Dec"
THE COURSE OF Mr.. CL.fY'S FRIENDS