Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1918 — Henry Clay’s Diplomacy. [ARTICLE]

Henry Clay’s Diplomacy.

The following is an Instance of Henry Clay’s readiness in getting out of a difficult situation. On one occasion a vote he had given in congress offended one of his constituents who unbraided him for it and declared he would never again support him for congress. Meeting this constituent on the court green Mr. Clay said to him: “I am sorry you will not again support me for congress because of a vote I gave on a certain measure. When your rifle misses fire do you throw It away?” “No," replied the constituent, “I do not throw it away.” “What do you do with it?” asked Mr. Clay. “Why, I pick my flint and try it again,” replied, the constituent. “Well,” said Mr. Clay, “are you going to throw me away because I have missed fire once? Won’t you let me pick my flint and try again? Won’t you treat me as you do your rifle when it misses fire?” This ready reply satisfied the constituent and completely won him over, and he was ever after one of Clay’s most faithful supporters in his candidacy for congress.