The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-19
HENRY CLAY AND the PRESIDENCY.

All gone 10 Mrs. Adams.
HENRY CLAY AND THE PRESIDENCY.
The Presidential question grew in importance,
ana the opinions OF Mr.. Adams upon MS contem-
porarles ccntrolled Iargey'by his estimate OF
their political sympathies or the danger OF their
wrestling from him the diadem OF the Presidency.
Clay especially, who was afterward TO be his own
secretary or State and whom he was to defend
In later years with earnestness almost pa
thetic is scarcely alluded 10 by Mr.. Adams, ex-
cept in harsh terms, until the exigencies or the
canvass made him bis supporter aud no longer
his rival on June 20, 1922, he says :-"Clay's
conduct has been hostile 70 me and generally IN
sidious. From the time OF the Client negotiation
have been in the way OF his ambition, and by
himself and his suoordinates he has done all In
his power TO put me out OF tt.n And month
later :--"ihs is miserable plot against me de-
vised by Clay at Client, and In which he has made
tool OF Russell. clay and Russell are the
eagle and the worm or Herders fable-Clay scars
and Russell crawls TO the top OF the mountain
| In November 1929 Adams accuses Clay OF endeav-
oring sacrifice the administration to his own
popularity Still later Clay "is the most impru-
dent man In the world.n We have alusicn to
| Gays "Parthian shaltsp and 'nis subsequent
ninching from the contest which he had chal-
lenged." When Clay speaks Of his election to the
Presidency as being certain Adams answers
| HE plays brag as he has done all MS liie.n
4
DANIEL WEBSTER.
| Mr.. WebsteEdoes not fare much better at the
| hands OF the ex-President Although not much
| older than Mr.. Clay he had come later into Con-
| gress, and was now serving his third term as
| Representative from Boston. He was alterward
10 become leader or the friends OF Mr.. Adams
administration; but the relations between them
during these early Presidential movements
were not cordial In January, 1924, Mr. Adams
| conduct webster
"equivocal and somewhat suspicious but that
he preserved his opinion upon Wepsters mo-
tives.n April, 1924, he Is convinced "that Webster
had positively engaged to support Calhoun Tor the
! Presidency, and was now ready TO support any
one else.n calhoun and Crawford had both
taken hold or his ambition, and he had fallen into
their tolls" We navo RUFUS King complaining Of
! Webster being .sny and unsGcial,n mainly be-
cause of Kings friendship for Adams. Still later
1t was feared snat Mr.. Webster was being lured
! by the friends of Jackson. In May. 1924, Mr.
/ Adams is convinced that webster is to have an
once OF high distinction In the event of Craw-
ford's election as President" and his course had
presented "a combination OF talent, of ambition
| OF political management and of heartess inlus-
tlce.n month later this becomes the 'timld,
insidous and treacherous paftiality OF Webster"
Then came longing, to 60 to England rs the
American Minister on the part of Mr. Webster,
/
hereafter" but not immediately, a longing, in
deed, that was never TO be giatided, for Webster
/ only visited England as private gentleman.
! CALHOUN AND THE PRESIDENCY.
John G. Calhoun Is one OF the most conspicuous
characters in this history. The impression Mr..
! Adams conveys or This distinguished man is not
that oil the austere, high minded. unsel1sh patriot
| which South Carolina history mas created. Cal
| houn's ambition is source OF constant uneasi-
Trlu Aaapa nPn N u..sx
partisans attempting to degrade him in the pub
lie opinion, and GOODNESS had arisen between
them, turning relations which had once been
confidential into those or simple ceremony. West
Point is sustained by Calhoun because OF 'rne
patronage which belongs to the War Department,
and to which he clings.n IL seems Adams had de-
sired TO limit West Point and TO reduce the ex
penxe OF the military education. but Calhoun would
not permit It. At another time Calhoun Is spoken
or as one who "has o candidate always ready
for everything and who was especially profuse
in candidates as the election for President drew
near There Is an intmation that Calhoun would
really like war. anxious he is to strengthen the
patronage OF his department. When the mission
to France is considered Calhoun, In nominating
among others De witt Clinton and Edward Living
ston, has .in ali his movements OF every kind an
eye 10 himself.n January, 1924, Calhoun Is tam
pering VITA the Massachusetts, federaists for his
I
appointment OF Mr. Dallas as Minister TO Mexico
in January 1924 because ne is an avowed parti-
san of Mr.. Calhoun. There is q note OF a CONVEX
sat,on with S. ID. Ingnam, a conspicuous politician
in Pennsylvania, VINO was alterward to DO Secre-
tary OF the treasury under Jackson and to he
driven OF his Cabinet, and who represented MIR.
CalhoHn,s Interests, respecting q. M. Dallas and
generally respecting the treatment or Adams by
MIR. Calhoun and his friends, "the professions or
friendship and the acts Of insidious hostility
Tne election OF Calhoun to the Presidency Adams
plainly opposed In this conversation, mainly be-
cause ne was too young man.
YOUTH IN THE PRESIDENCY.
The entry In the diary on this point is worthy OF
reproduction, as showing the conservative mind
OF the writer. "But ours was practically more
government OF personal consideration and in
nuence than or written articles. There was in
the genius OF our institutions a graduated
subordinaton among the persons by whom the
government was administered. Reputation was
the basis or our elections. The emblem or its or
ganization was pyramid, at the point OF which
was the chief, under whom men OF high consider
alton, though not equal to his. naturally found
their places. Among the sources OF this consid-
GRAFTON age and experience had their share, and
unless superseded by very transcendent merit a
decisive share This had never yet been other
wise under our present constitution. Not a
single instance had occurred OF a person
older than the President OF the United
states accepting ONCE as head Of
department. under him. This was
not the result OF any written law
but It arose from the natural operation OF our
system. what the effect OF such O departure
from it as the election OF Mir. Calhoun might De 1
could not undertake TO says
SHADOWS OF THE PAST.
Between Calhoun and Jackson, Adams was
preferably for Jackson. He continued this friend
ship until after his own election, when II broke
into vndctve and angry hostility on account OF
JacKson's trea:herous and slanderous accusation
oil ''bargain and sae.m IL Is curious to note tnat
General Scott noats through these pages as seek
ing an election Congress from Virginia In the
interest OF Calhoun. SO proud was Scott or his
virginia blood thar. evidently not foreseeing the