Arizona republican., 1911-03-07
--O--- CLAY AND RANDOLPH.

In spite of his SlnSularlN aitahle manner Henry Clay was a good deal of fighter Thrice he was involved
 in affairs of honor in which for tunately only q minimum amount of blood was spilled Clay's first duel was fought at 26. while a member of the Kentucky legislature. his opponent being Colonel Joseph Hamilton Davies. His second appearance was with Humphrey Marshall. at the time one of the most distinguished of Ken tuckians The third and last of his duels was with John Randolph of Roanoke.
 In 1926 Randolph was approaching the end of his singuarly cratic career and there was no doubt. at times. that he was over the border of responsibil- ity. largely because of his long con tinued custom of speaking and other wise indulging himself without re straint. Jefferson had caused his overthrow from power in the house, and Clay. as speaker. had reduced him to a nonenity.
 The voice still lived. however. and in the early part of the adminstrs llDl bA Jpilil NguAiifN sAhdilAo iito Af- marks were very often of the most personal and offensive character. The limit was reached, however. when in a speech on the Panama congress reso- lution, he referred to Adams and Clay as the coalition of Blifil and Black George"-the combination unheard of until then. of the Puritan and the Blackleg
 Upon hearing of this. Clay sent his friend. General Jessup, to interrogate Randolph. at the same time giving him the usual letter to be handed over if the interview was not satisfactory. Randolph failed to rctract. and as the affair had gone too far to call it off. it was found necessary for the two to meet on the field of honor and see how well they could keep up the bluff and fail to hit one another.
 Saturday, April 1926. was the date fixed upon. and the right bank of the Potomac. within the state of Virginia. above the Little Falls bridge, the place. When MT. Randolph received the challenge he informed the deliverer that MT Clay may fire at me for what has offended him: l will not. by returning the fire, admit his right to do SO" It was evident then that it was to he bloodless duel so far as the challengee was concerned. And evidently the challenger felt the same disinclination to shed blood. When the order was given to fire MT Clay aimed so low that the gravel flew in every direction from the shot. When MT Randolph fired he discharged his pistol in the air and said: ''I did not fire at you. Mir. Clay" and imme- diately advanced and offered his hand. Clay met him in the same spirit, both duelists shaking hands.
 MT Randolph looked for an instant into the face of his opponent and then said: MT. Clay, yoH owe me coat" the bullet having passed through the skirt of the coat very near the hip: to which Mir Clay promptly and hap pily replied. 'T am glad the debt is no greater
 Thus ended the last of the duels fought by the great statesmen. It was begun with the greatest seriousness and ended in farce. Clay was a man who had an abundance of personal pride of his section. and to be referred to as a "blackleg." even by Randolph. was more than his nature could stand. Randolphs greatest fault was his too free use of the invectives that sting. and for this reason he was almost constantly in trouble.
 On the Monday following the duel the two men exchanged cards and social relations were formally and courteously restored.
 Randolph was not alone in his charges that there was d corrupt bar gain between Adams and Clay. which secured the election of the former to the presidency and the latter the of flee of secretary of state under him.