The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1916-07-05
Between Clay and Ran.
dolph 90 Years Ago.
ITEM OF AMERICAN HISTORY
Showing How Two Prominent
Political Enemies Settled
Their Differences.
A DAMAGED COAT ONLY RESULT

brilliant men in the United State
than Henry Clay and John Ran
dolph. There were likewise no tw,
more bitter political opponents. TIL,
bad blood between the statesmen
eliminated in a challenge to a due
in 1926. Randolph was a United
States Senator from Virginia, and
Henry Clay had been made Secre
tary of State by John Quincy AID
ans.
| The President had sent a message
to the Senate on the subject of the
Panama mission. A. motion was
made in the Senate for a call upon
the President for further informa-
ton. In response to this the Presi-
dent answered by a message with the
tone of which Randolph was great
ly displeased, and, in his place in
the Senate, bitterly denounced it
and its authors, President Adams
and Mr.. Clay.
In his speech abiding to the mes
| sage, Randolph said: 81 was de-
feated, horse, foot and dragons
cut up, clean broke down by the
coalition of Blifil and Black George
by the combination unheard OF
till then, of the Puritan with the
Blackleg."
Randolph made other charges
against Clay, who smarted very
much under the stigma he placed
upon him. He demanded an expla-
nation of Randolph at once. This
Randolph refused and Clay sent
challenge. The seconds chosen tried
to effect reconciliation, but when
they found there was no hope, they
proceeded to arrange for the affray.
The afternoon of Saturday, April
8, 1926, was fixed upon as the day.
The right bank of the Potomac,
within the State of Virginia, was the
place. The seconds had contrived to
effect weeks delay, in hope that
something might occur to prevent
the encounter. The day for the
duel, however, arrived and the par
ties went to their places.
The dueling ground was thick
forest, not far west of Bladensburg.
AS the two opponents took their
places they saluted each other cour-
teously. Colonel Tatnall, Mr.. Ran
dOlph's second, won the choice of
positions. The opponents stood on
line east and west. There was a |
small stump Just behind Mr.. Clay, |
and low gravelly bank rose just |
behind Mr.. Randolph. BY accident
as Mr.. Randolph was adjusting his
pistol 1t discharged. but no one was
injured and he apologized.
Finally, when all was ready, the
second gave the order to fire. In
stantly there were two shots, but
both opponents remained standing.
Mr.. Randolph's bullet struck the
stump behind Mr.. Clay and Mr..
Clay's knocked up the earth and
gravel behind Mr.. Randolph.
The moment had now arrived
when Colonel Benton felt that he
could interpose. He accordingly
went in among the parties and offer
I'd his mediation. Nothing, how
ever, could be done. Both oppo-
ients demanded another fire. Both
men took their positions, Mr.. Clay
ired purposely wide of the mark
md Mr.. Randolph fired into the air.
rhe latter said, 81 did not fire at
'ou, Mr.. Clay" and Immediately ad-
'anced and offered his hand. He was
net In the same spirit.
The meeting was halfway, where
hey shook hands, Mr.. Randolph
aging loosely. you owe me coat,
Or. Clay" To this Mr.. Clay prompt
Y responded. 81 am glad the debt is !
% greater"
Mr.. Randolph confessed that he
ad determined not to return Mr.
lays fire. but IF see the devil In
is eye, and that. with malice pre-
ense. he means to take my life,
lay change my mind" When Mr..
lay noticed that Randolph had fired
ito the air, he said to him with
eep emotion: 81 trust to God, my /
ear sir, you are untouched; after
hat has occurred, l would not have
armed you for a thousand worlds!"
On the ensuing Monday Mr.. Clay !
nd Mr.. Randolph exchanged cards,
nd their relations of amity and