and so happily conducted to a fortunate issue, — a result due to the noble character of the seconds, as well as to the generous and heroic spirit of the principals.”
The net result was that Randolph's epigram about “the combination of the Puritan and the blackleg” received all the more currency, and that Clay, by his example, had given new sanction to the practice he had denounced as barbarous. He was by no means a professional duelist. His hand was in fact so unused to the pistol that on this occasion he feared he would not be able to fire it within the time given him. He simply did not possess that courage which is higher than the courage to face death.
The debates on the Panama mission served as a first general drill of the opposition. It went on harassing the Adams administration to its last hour, some of the most virulent attacks being directed against Clay. Every measure which was suspected of being specially favored by the administration had to meet bitter resistance. In the Senate an amendment to the Constitution was introduced, in accordance with Jackson's recommendation, to exclude members of Congress from executive appointments; another to circumscribe the power of the general government with regard to internal improvements; also a bill to limit the executive patronage. However much good there may have been in these propositions, it became apparent that they were brought forward mainly
