Middletown transcript., 1877-02-10
The olay-Randolph Duel.

AAN ~AAg g-AANMNOAPM
] A correspondent Of the San Francis
co Bulletin, who claims to have specia
facilities for giving correct account o
the great political duel of 1924, write
as follows of that remarkable episode
! The duel grew out of remark made
by Mr.. Randolph in 1924 and reflect
ing upon Mr. Glay's character That
, campaign known as the "Quintuplt
Canvass is quite a noted one to history
for various reasons The Federalists
we're broken up into two parties, both
agreeing in being constitutional latitud-
iuarians but differing on the war policy
one nominated John Quincy Adams and
the other Henry Clay The Democrats
were also divided, Andrew jackson
being nominated by one extreme, John
c. Calhoun by the other and William
Fl. Crawford by the middle faction. =
These were the five candidates The
canvass was exceedingly acrimonious
and party feeling ran wild. 1t was at
the period at which the West was called
upon to be the arbiter between the Vir-
ginia and the New England schools of
politics. As might have been expected.
no election was made by the Electoral
College, Gen. jackson receiving plur-
ality but not a majority of the electoral
votes The election was accordingly
taken to the House of Representatives,
which proceeded to choose a president
from the highest three. viz /: jackson,
Adams and Crawford The election
was taken by States, each State casting
one vote. and it so happened that Mr.
Clay, with his followers, held the bal
anee of power, which placed him in an
awkward quandary. He refused to vote
for jackson as being a mere military
man and untitled for the high Office, but
on the other hand Mr. Adams, although
a member Of the same party and thor
oughly committed to the American
system" was considered inimical to the
interests of the valley Of the Missis-
sippi, and, furthermore, there was an
adjourned question of veraeity between
them, for Mr.. Clay had asserted during
the canvass that at the treaty of Ghent
Mr.. Adams had offered to barter the in
terests of the valley of the Mississippi
for the cod-fsheries of Newfoundland
Mr. Adams denied this charge and call
ed for the proof. but Mr. Clay declined
the challenge on the ground of its i'm
propriety on the eve of election. though |
really, it was suspected, because he was
10th to enter into a discussion with
man who never forgot anything and |
who was perfect vade nsecuns of facts.
So here the matter rested.
In spite of this state of affairs Mr.
Clay decided to vote for Mr. Adams
His followers loudly protested and we're
unable to see how be could, with justice
both to himself and his constituents,
support man hostile to their section
Mr.. Clay, however, would not yield and
so his followers refused to follow unless
be should become the premier of the
He vehemently OBJ
jected to this, urging that it would i'm
pair his future prospects; but his fell
lowers, however, we're inexorable and
50 it was agreed that Mr. Adams should
be president and Mr. Clay secretary of
state Mr.. Adams readily agreed to
The bargain and SO he was made presi-
lent. Hr. Clay was not without blame
10 this matter, for, though be did not
make the bargain himself, be knew that
t had been made and agreed to it.
The result was what be had predicted
"a torrent Of abuse was heaped upon
both the president and the secretary.
The Jacksonians were furious and
bargain and corruption" sounded on
III sides. John Randolph, the sworn
'nemy of Clay, headed the onslaught
md in a memorable speech denounced
he affair as 'a coalition of the Puritan
f New England with the black-leg of
Kentucky" Mr.. Clay challenged him j
nd preparations were made for the
Meeting, but, contrary to all custom,
dr Randolph came to the dueling-
round enveleped in huge DRESSING
own that futtered in the breeze like
he sails of full-rigged vessel All
resent objected to this novel costume :
nd the seconds came near having a
uel themselves. but Mr.. Randolph re- !
used to fight under any other condi- =
ion and, being naturally thin, his body
Tas completely obscured BY this flow .
lg mass of calico. Clay aimed at the
enter, but there was no telling whether =,
is adversary's body was there or some i
here else and the ball pierced the J
own and the inner coat without doing =
lrther harm Randolph purpOsely re-
srved his fire and then discharged it
Ugh in air Throwing down his pis-
u, he flung open the gown aud, in t,
,rting his thumb into the hole made 10 p
is coat, walked up to Mr.. Clay and n
reclaimed: n
''Mr. Clay, you owe me a coat-you b
We me a coat !" ci
Clay replied II thank God, Mr.. b
andolph, that am no deeper in your b
,bt. After what has occurred l would e,
't have harmed you for a thousand b
orlds." eC
Thus ended the great duel to the per- .,
ct satisfaction of all concerned Mr.. Ell
however, remained always a 70
7Orn foe to Mr.. Clay, though be Vi
eatly admired him. m
&C
Congress and Bank Taxation. 81
One of the NEST important reforms
hieh is to be urged in Congress rela- th