Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-09-12
Col. Bentoms History

NoN boohf puphoHcd ~ f'
Evening Post, is in relation 10 the election by
the House of Representatives in 1929. Its
length forbids It's fall insertion in our columns,
but we Gull from it such parts possess more
prominent intereston accounted tbcreationslIip
of the remarkable Historian 10 many Of the
prominent actors in the exciting events OF
which he writes. While the egotism aud fierce
preiudices " hich characterize Old Bullion ap
pear in nearly every PARAGRAPH OF these ex
tracts there will be found. however, less OF
those cungI edients thai might have been antci
pated from the character OF the author. As q
historian he would feign be nst and generous
TO CLAY. but he Cannot wipe from his pen the
gall of political and personal animosity into
Which has been so often Dipped. H. says
that Mr.. Clay took upon himself the mission Of
reconeing the people 10 the election ofAdems.
anl. thereby losing his place IN the Democrat
ic party, joined the Wings or National Rrpnb.
leans as they were then called Now 10 re
uounce party aud join another implies ne
ccssarily change OF political praeipe-
Such is the idea conveyed; bat can Col. Benton
point out such change save on the bank qics'
ton years before, in the whole political career
of Mr. Clay
Again. in allusion to the causes which gave
rise 10 the renewed political hostility at that
time towards Mr. Clay, i, will he observed
now he introduces n reference to The charge OF
corruption: i" 4 subordinate cause" he says,
.'may have had l,s eifectand unjusily in preju
dicing the public mind against Mr.. Adams and
Mr. Clay oyhaveh had lis effect, &moy have
haditunJasHyt Hetels US aIterwards Of circum
stnnces which prove That the effect was nnjust,
and that he knew it. Yet the impartial digni
ty oi the historian, nor the soothing influences
of the grave, could at once obtain to elicit
from him for fallen peer the direct and une
ulivoral declaration. In lis treatment Of facts
Col. B, nton's work will probably rank with
the historical efforts Of Mr.. Allison, but II prom.
ses to possess qualities which will no doubt
render it one of the most interesting and reada
bile books of the day. After speaking biicA y
of the remarkable and prolreoted contest OF
1900 and 1901, bct~cen Jefferson and Burr
which finally resulted in the choice of Jefferson
aud defeat of Burr, ;lr. Benton proceeds:
The second Presidential election in the
House of Representatives WINS dftel the lapse
of quarter ofa century, and under tire amend
ed constitution, which carried the three high.
est on the isl Ia the House " hen no one had
a majority the electoral votes. Gen. Jack
son. Mr.. John Quincy Adams. and Mr.. VIM.
FL. Crawford were the thr Z. their respective
votes being 90, "a, /; aud in this case a se-
cond struggle took place between The theory
ofthe constitution and the democratic principle,
and with eventual deie.tt To the opposers Of that
principle though temporarily successful. Mr..
Adams was elected, though Gen. Jackson was
the choice of the people, having received the
greatest number oil vote and beino undoub
edly the second choice of several States who. G
votes had been given to MrEr wrord and Mr..
Clay, lat the general electon.) The repre-
sentatves from some of thee States gave the
vote Of the State to Mr. Adams, upon the ar
gamcntthat he was best qualified for the sta
ton, and that II was dangerous to our institu
tons TO elect mite" y chean-an argument
which assumed the guardianship over the PEG.
pie, and implied the necessity of a superior in
telhgence To guide them for II cir own good
The election of Mr. Adams perfect, con
sttutional. and as such fully submitted to b,
the people; but it was also violation of til,
demos krateo principle; and that violation wa
slgnally rebuked. All the representatives VIII,
voted against the will of their constituents los
their favor, and disappeared from public life
The representation in the House of Represen
tatives was largely chang d AT The first gener
al election, and pre- ented full oppostion t,
the new PRECEDENT Mr. Adams himself W.
injured hyn, ard at the ensuing Presidentia
election was beaten by Gen. Jackson mole thar
two to one-l7s TO 49, Mr.. Clay, who tool
tha 1.ol -. IL. r
forwards took upon himself the mission of re
conciling the people TO his election in serie
ofpublc speeches. was himself crippled in III,
effort lost his place in the Democratic party
joined the Wings. then called National Re
publIcans,) and has since presented the dis
heartening spectacle of 70 mer great leader
figuring at the head of his ancient foes in al
their defeats, and lingering on their rear in THEN
victories. The Democratic principle was agair
victor over the theory of the constitution, and
great and good We're the results that ensued. Il