The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-03-28
Of" He says further, "No amount of
fastenings could keep out the pillagers.
Nothing was too sacred to be stolen or
DESTROYED"
Clay and Randolph.

The frequent alluaions of late to his
toric duels calls our attention to that
meeting" which connects the names Of
Henry Clay and John Randolph. Both
were Southern men, being natives OF
Virginia, and yet there was lifelong
difference in their opinions. Clay was
an advocate for the war Of 1872, while
Randolph opposed il, and their antag-
onism appeared in frequent collisions:
They took opposite Bides in the Missouri,
COMPROMISE, which Randolph resisted
with all his powers. The latter entered
Congress at twenty-six, and was for al
most thirty years one of the most inter
esting characters of the capital. His
pungent repartee, his brilliant wit and
his fervent oratory gave him a distinc-
ton which has never been attained by
any other Congressman except John
Quincy Adams. The expression "mas-
terly inactivity" is sample of his gift at
word coinage. 1t was conceded by his
friends that he was often partially insane,
but his freaks never brought him under
q lunatic commission. My former pastor
flames w. Alexander, predecessor of
John Hall) who met him occasionally,
held this opinion. He wrote from Vir-,
ginia to a friend, Everybody fears him,
and bisrpower of sarcasm and invectiye
are such that TO one pretends to contra
dict him." Randolph was one of the
most remarkable horse fanciers of his
day, and his stud included a score of the
very finest breeds, some of which were
never used. He once attended q public
meeting dressed in suit of Virginia
homespun, with leather breeches, and on
the same occasion whipped one of his
servants in the court yard. Such were
among the eccentricities of this strange
man, but he followed the example of
Washington in bequeathing liberty to
his slaves.
In 1924 John Quincy Adams was
elected President, and Henry Clay, who
had been one of the rival candidates, was
made Secretary of State. This appoint
ment aroused Randolph's indignation,
and he publicly denounced it as q com.
bination between she puritan and the
blackleg.n Clay could do no more than
send challenge, which was accepted,
and both were old enough to know better.
The evening before the duel Randolph
sent for General Hamilton, of South
Carolina, and told him he intended to
receive Clay's fire without returning it,
adding, nothing shall induce me to
harm q hair of his head. will not
make his wife a widow nor his children
orphans.n His eyes filled with tears,
and after "a brief chat his visitor took
leave, but returned at midnight. He
found Randolph reading Paradise Lost, !"
on whose beauty he began to expatiate
in his usual eloquent manner. The duel
was then mentioned, and Randolph's de-
cision was objected to, since his second
had refused to see him Shot down in such
manner. swell, sir" said Randolph,
"if see the devil in Clsy's eye End
malice prepence to take my life, then I
may change my mind"
The next afternoon the meeting took
place on the banks of the Potomac.
Randolph saw ano devil in Clay's eye"
but the calm expression of . man who
felt the importance of his honor. Says
Hamilton: 81 shall never forget the
scene as long as ] live. Here wero two
of the most extraordinary men our
country had ever produced about to
meet in mortal combat I took Ran
doiph's hand while the pistols were
loading, but felt not the quivering of
one pulsation. he turned to me and
said, CLAY is calm, but not vindictiTe.
! hold my purpose, Hamilton-remem-
ber this The meeting was soon con-
summated. Clay fired without effect, and
Randolph discharged his pistol in the
air. As soon as Clay saw this he in
stantly approached his former antagonist
and exclaimed with, unconcealed sensi-
biIity, 7 trust in God, my dear sir, you
are untouched. After what has occurred
I would not have harmed you for thou
sand worlds" They parted, and never
were embittered agsin BY political strife.
Soon afterward Randolph retired from
Congress, and on his last visit to Wash
ington he held final interview with his
former opponent, which was Of tender
character. 5s.6 8. a p,