vcczar Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 Henry Clay of KY may have the most actions of any non-president. I'd really like to see a mini-series made about him. He started out as a Jeffersonian, States Rights politician (although critical of slavery), but the War of 1812 converted him into a modernist, nationalist. He believed in gradual emancipation his entire life, gradually emancipating his slaves but still enslaving many at his death. In many ways, Henry Clay is a precursor of the kind of public works, infrastructure, "Big Government as good," that foreshadows Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR and all Democrats after FDR. Eisenhower could be thrown in here too. More accurately, Clay and JQ Adams created the sort of active federal government, acted on by Lincoln, and embraced by both parties, especially from Teddy Roosevelt onward (Coolidge is the only possible exception, while the GOP rhetorically oppose it, while embracing it in action). His actions: Clay, Henry 1799 As state politician calls for gradual emancipation of slavery in KY but it isn't adopted Clay, Henry 1806 Takes seat as US Senator at age 29, which is Constitutionally illegal, but nothing was made of it Clay, Henry 1809 Minorly censured by KY legis for dueling Humphrey Marshall (both survived their wounds) Clay, Henry 1811 elected Speaker as beginning freshman in US House Clay, Henry 1811 leader of War Hawks Clay, Henry 1811 Helps kills the 1st US Bank, despite later support for 2nd US Bank Clay, Henry 1812 the casting vote against opening trade with UK Clay, Henry 1814 appointed commissioner to peace talks to end War of 1812 Clay, Henry 1815 Elected Speaker of the US House upon return from Europe Clay, Henry 1815 promotes his American System Clay, Henry 1816 backs 2nd US Bank despite having killed the 1st US Bank Clay, Henry 1816 Big role in pushing through Tariff of 1816 (Dallas Tariff) Clay, Henry 1816 Supports Monroe over Crawford for JR nom, arguably influencing others in their choice Clay, Henry 1816 Helps found American Colonization Society Clay, Henry 1817 Rejects Sec of War offer from Monroe b/c demanded State; refuses to attend inauguration over this Clay, Henry 1817 promotes Bonus Bill for internal improvements Clay, Henry 1818 champions Latin American republics Clay, Henry 1819 elected Speaker once again Clay, Henry 1819 Makes demand that Spain give over TX in new treaty Clay, Henry 1819 gives Monroe important info about shenanigans in Florida Clay, Henry 1819 promotes censure resolution against Gen. Jackson Clay, Henry 1819 Uses influence to vote down Tallmadge Amend't to bring MO in as Free State Clay, Henry 1820 ringleader in Missouri Compromise Clay, Henry 1821 reports formula for counting electoral vote Clay, Henry 1823 elected Speaker again Clay, Henry 1824 Leads Tariff of 1824 (Sectional Tariff) Clay, Henry 1824 Leads General Survey Act for internal improvements Clay, Henry 1824 his moves on tariff bill Clay, Henry 1824 advances his American System Clay, Henry 1824 runs for president Clay, Henry 1825 backs Adams when 1824 election goes to House, becomes Sec of State; alleged "Corrupt Bargain" Clay, Henry 1825 Fails to negotiate a deal to lift UK's trade ban in the West Indies Clay, Henry 1828 Declines Adams's offer to serve on SC after Trimble's death Clay, Henry 1829 Defacto leader of National Republicans w/ Adams's defeat and unwillingness to lead a party Clay, Henry 1830 Unlike many Westerners and Southerners, opposes Indian Removal Act Clay, Henry 1831 Suspected by Pres Jackson as being behind the Petticoat Affair Clay, Henry 1832 attacks Jackson's UK policy Clay, Henry 1832 clashes with Jackson over US Bank in Bank War Clay, Henry 1832 runs for president Clay, Henry 1832 develops a land policy Clay, Henry 1833 promotes Tariff of 1833 Clay, Henry 1833 promotes Force Bill against SC in Nullification Crisis Clay, Henry 1833 forges Whig party opposition, combining anti-Jackson parties into one Clay, Henry 1834 Leads successful censure vote against Jackson Clay, Henry 1835 resolution regarding policy toward France Clay, Henry 1836 denounces abolitionists Clay, Henry 1836 backs anti-Jackson specie bill Clay, Henry 1836 Declines to run for pres b/c family tragedy; Whigs run several candidates at once, and he makes no endorsement Clay, Henry 1837 opposes Calhoun's pro-slavery resolution Clay, Henry 1837 Whig leader against Van Buren's policies Clay, Henry 1840 seeks presidency again Clay, Henry 1840 Tyler made Harrison's VP, partially because of friendship w/ Clay Clay, Henry 1841 advises new president-elect Harrison on appointments, following election. Clay, Henry 1841 Declines Harrison's offer of Sec of State Clay, Henry 1841 Is isolated by Harrison, as the Pres tires of Clay puppet-mastering him Clay, Henry 1841 kills Tyler bank plan Clay, Henry 1841 promotes repeal of Independent Treasury Clay, Henry 1841 logrolls through a bankruptcy act Clay, Henry 1841 advances Preemption Act regarding public lands Clay, Henry 1841 advances U.S. Bank measure Clay, Henry 1841 lays out ambitious legislative program Clay, Henry 1842 resigns seat after Tyler squareoff Clay, Henry 1844 Opposes TX Annexation, which would cost him support in upcoming pres election Clay, Henry 1844 Whig nominee for Pres Clay, Henry 1847 Publicly criticized Mex War & Polk for fomenting it after H Clay Jr killed in battle; opposes any new slave states Clay, Henry 1848 Whig candidate for Pres, b/c he believed Taylor too inexperienced to be nominee; refuses to campaign for Taylor Clay, Henry 1850 the leading role in Compromise of 1850 Clay, Henry 1850 Advised Fillmore on apppointments after Taylor's death Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeP47 Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 You know, while Clay should be a slam dunk favorable, it really is a reluctant favorable in the end. Upon refection, it really is a case of "Seriously, this is the guy that's the only guy that can champion our cause?" and the answer being an unfortunate yes. Nobody else could do what he did... and yet he could have done such a better job... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeP47 Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 Just now, OrangeP47 said: You know, while Clay should be a slam dunk favorable, it really is a reluctant favorable in the end. Upon refection, it really is a case of "Seriously, this is the guy that's the only guy that can champion our cause?" and the answer being an unfortunate yes. Nobody else could do what he did... and yet he could have done such a better job... "ORANGE THINKS HE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER THAN HENRY CLAY, MORE AT 11!" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vcczar Posted September 26 Author Share Posted September 26 20 minutes ago, OrangeP47 said: You know, while Clay should be a slam dunk favorable, it really is a reluctant favorable in the end. Upon refection, it really is a case of "Seriously, this is the guy that's the only guy that can champion our cause?" and the answer being an unfortunate yes. Nobody else could do what he did... and yet he could have done such a better job... Early on there wasn’t an option. Then the alternate option, Harrison, died. Webster and Calhoun were too provincial. NY Whigs were typically too anti-slavery for Southern Whigs. Crittenden was probably the only other real option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeP47 Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 24 minutes ago, vcczar said: Early on there wasn’t an option. Then the alternate option, Harrison, died. Webster and Calhoun were too provincial. NY Whigs were typically too anti-slavery for Southern Whigs. Crittenden was probably the only other real option. Yeah that's my point, should we be giving credit for being the best of the worst? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vcczar Posted September 26 Author Share Posted September 26 15 minutes ago, OrangeP47 said: Yeah that's my point, should we be giving credit for being the best of the worst? Up to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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