The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-10-12
Anecdotes of Public Men.

From the series of "reminiscences OF public
men, compiled by J. W. Forney, and published
in the Washington Chronicle, we make the fol-
lowing extract:
Henry Clay never fully forgave James Buch-
anan for the part he played in 1S24-25 in the
celebrated bargain and sale by which it was
charged that Clay gave the vote of Kentucky
to John Quincy Adams for President instead
of General Jackson in consideration OF his
subsequent appointment by Adams to the De-
partment of State. Buchanan was then kep-
resentative in Congress from the old Lancaster,
Chester and Delaware District in Pennsylva-
mia. Chosen originally as Federalist, he be-
came Democrat under the influence OF Jack
sons popularity, while Clay, originally Dem
ocrat became a violent Wing antagonist of
Jackson and his party In 1924 25 Buchanan
was in his thirty-ffth year, and Clay in his
forty-eighth. The accusation that Clay had sup
ported Adams for place in his Cabinet, long
insisted upon by his adyersaries, aroused the
bitterest passions, and was Indignantly and
haughtily repeIled by himself He was made
to believe that the story was started by the
young member from Lancaster, but this was
always denied by the latter, and he wrote sew
eral letters effectually disproving it. but they
were not satisfactory to the imperlous Ken
tuckian.. 1t will be recollected that John Ran
dolph of Virginia, was one Of Clay's fercest
assailants, and he carried his enmity so far that
it led to a duel between them, which termina-
ted without bloodshed. Some ten years later
CLAW and Buchanan were both in the United
States Senate together, and the latter was one
of the leaders of the Democracy. Clay did
not conceal his dislike of the Pennsylyanian,
and sought every OCCASION to show it. One
memorable day he rose and made studied at
tack upon the Democrats, and especially upon
General Jackson. Mr.. Buchanan was put for
ward.to answer him, which he did with his
best ability. When he took his seat Clay rose
with well-feigned surprise and sarcastically re-
marked that che had made no allusion to the
Senator from Pennsylvania. He was referring
to the leaders, not to the subordinates OF the
Democracy" Upon which Buchanan took the
floor and said that the Senator from Kentucky
was certainly in error, because he had pointed
ly and repeatedly looked at him while ne was
speaking. Clay quickly and sneeringy rotor
of vision. ~ beg to say, Mr., President" J" ne
remarked, "that the mistake was the Senator'S,
and not mine. Unlike him, sir, I do not look
one way and row another" 1t was cruel
thrust; and when gentleman reproached Clay
for his harshness, he shrugged his shoulders
and said, "Oh d-n him, he deserves it lie
aorites letters" On another occasion Buchanan
defended himself against the charge of hostili-
ty to the second war with England by showing
that he had formed troop of Lancaster horse,
and rode to Baltimore to resist the invader.
eyes, Mr.. President" was Clay's prompt re-
oinder, tI remember that event, and remem-
Der also that by the time the Senator got to
Maryland the enemy had fed. Doubtless they
heard of the approach OF the distinguished
gentleman and retired before the prestige OF
his courage"
But time, if it does not make all things even,
mollifes the passions of men. Mr.. Buchanan
was too much of man of the world-too ac-
complshed courtier-not to soften the asperl-
ty of as proud spirit as Clay. They frequent
" met in society in after years, especially at
the dinner-table. Ifthey did not become friends
they at least ceased to be enemies. And in
1856. when Buchanan became the Democratic
candidate for President he had no more hearty
supporter than the son of the great Kentuck,,
ian, James B. Clay, who, after having served
in the Confederate army, died at Montreal on
the 26th of January, 1864.
Benton, who had always opposed Buchan-
ans aspirations, because he regarded him as
weak and timid, powerfully championed him
in that year even against his own son-ln-law,
Fremont. Rufus Choate, Webster's nearest
friend, was on the same side; so were joan
Van Buren, and his father Notwithstanding
both held Buchanan's friends accountable for
the nomination of Polk in 1874. Webster
himself, had,he lived, would, I think, have yo-
ted the same way and perhaps Henry Clay
would have preferred the man who solemnly
pledged himself to put an end to the slavery
agitation. They both died. Clay in September
and Webster in October of 1852 and so were
spared the modification of Choate, Benton,
and the Van Burens, when james Buchanan
yielded to the ire-eaters and tried to force
slavery into Kansas.