Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1924-08-14

| BY EDWARD PERCY HOWARD
| Thru Autocaster Service
Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, John
c. Calhoun, John Quincy Adams and
William H. Crawford, men whose
names are ON the tongue tip of every
American schoolboy formed the quin-
tette that one hundred years ago
started in the race for the Presidency
of the United States, fight which
ended in four of the five going to the
people with the result that the election
was thrown into the House of Rep
resentatives, the result many persons
fear will ensue from the coming voting
in November.
1t is a significant fact that the
century has rounded out only to put
the country face to face with polltl-
cal situation analogous in many ways
with that of 1S2Hjust one hundred
years ago. The only fundamental diff
erence is that one hundred years ago
all the candidates pretended at least
to be of one political faith. The great
battle was for the vote of the State
of New York, then as now, and the
territory about which nervousness
was felt was that of the Middle West.
Also one of the candidates was from
New England.
Each of the candidates had re-
markable record of public service, the
life of each being filled with achieve
ment which made the contest one OF
dramatic interest-perhaps the bitter
est fight in the history of the nation.
Crawford A Great Man
The man whose name is least known
today entered the list with the ad-
vantages over all the others-William
IT. Crawford Maligned, and brought
down to the present generation as a
political trickster, Crawford stood IN
life as man of great integrity and
of more than usual ability. Crucitled
on the cross of Inscriptions politics,
the victim of outrageous ISLANDERS at
the hands of Adams, Crawford is
seen today in a light SO false that 1T
will take generations to place him
where he properly belongs. He was
one of the foremost constructive think
ers when he served in the United
States Senate. He made profound i'm
preston on the thinking interests OF
the country as Secretary of the Treas
ury in the Cabinet of Monroe. AS a
diplomat in France he displayed ufl-
usual acumen and tact. Indeed, he was
so beloved in the country in 1916 that
he could have been elected over Mon
roe had he cared to expires even the
thought of such thing. Devoid OF
political intrigue, however he set the
suggestion firmly aside only to be
blackened in character by his political
enemies.
The Other Candidates :,
Then there was Adams, who had
distinguished himself in foreign lands.
in the Senate and as Secretary. or
State-the man of courage, CONVICTION
and dominating personality. And An
drew Jackson popular hero following
his great victory at New Orleans.
They were powerful contenders. Hen
ry Clay, then speaker OF the House
magnetic, popular, dignltled,, broad
minded, a master at political manlp,,
rlation with a host OF youth: behmd
him because of his effort to lead the
nation to war with England. The
record of John c. Calhoun made him
also dangerous contender Secretary
Of War in the Cabinet with Adams.
and Crawford he had proved himself
a statesman of outstanding ability.
No Election
Such was the ca1iber of those who
entered the race. They were without
party. Politics was reduced to per-
sona1ity. In the House, if Adams
fought for an appropriation for the
State Department, Crawford and Cal
houn Guild lead their followers ag-
ainst the proposition If Calhoun ask
ed for an appropriation, Adams and
Crawford would strangle it. When
Crawford wanted to put his hand i'm the
till, Calhoun and Adams were pitted
against him to the death.
The fight fer the Presidency pro
ceeded, filled with intrigue, SANDER
and dramatic episode. The story of
SANDER and poiit;ca! back-biting is
too long to be told here 1t requires
another chapter. 1t shows the inter-
vention of Providence and well worth
re-telling.
The second chapter of this stirring
political struggle will appear in The
+ aadar E,1fernrise next week,