We now turn to contemplate the beginnings of Mr. Clay’s aspirations to the presidency, which from this time never left him until he had one foot in the grave.  As a successful, popular, and ambitious man who had already rendered important services, we cannot wonder that he sought the envied prize.  Who in the nation was more eminent than he?  But such a consummation of ambition is not attained by merit alone.  He had enemies, and he had powerful rivals.

In 1824 John Quincy Adams, as Monroe’s Secretary of State, was in the line of promotion,—­a statesman of experience and abilities, the superior of Clay in learning, who had spent his life in the public service, and in honorable positions, especially as a foreign minister.  He belonged to the reigning party and was the choice of New England.  Moreover he had the prestige of a great name.  He was, it is true, far from popular, was cold and severe in manners, and irritable in temperament; but he was public-spirited, patriotic, incorruptible, lofty in sentiment, and unstained by vices.

Andrew Jackson was also a formidable competitor,—­a military hero, the idol of the West, and a man of extraordinary force of character, with undoubted executive abilities, but without much experience in civil affairs, self-willed, despotic in temper, and unscrupulous.  Crawford, of Georgia, Secretary of the Treasury, with great Southern prestige, and an adroit politician, was also a candidate.  Superior to all these candidates in political genius was Calhoun of South Carolina, not yet so prominent as he afterwards became.

The popular choice in 1824 lay between Jackson and Adams, and as no candidate obtained a majority of the electoral votes, the election reverted to the House of Representatives, and Adams was chosen, much to the chagrin of Jackson, who had the largest number of popular votes, and the disappointment of Clay, who did not attempt to conceal it.  When the latter saw that his own chances were small, however, he had thrown his influence in favor of Adams, securing his election, and became his Secretary of State.  Jackson was indignant, as he felt he had been robbed of the prize by a secret bargain, or coalition, between Clay and Adams.  In retiring from the speakership of the House, which he had held so long, Clay received the formal and hearty thanks of that body for his undeniably distinguished services as presiding officer.  In knowledge of parliamentary law and tactics, in prompt decisions,—­never once overruled in all his long career,—­in fairness, courtesy, self-command, and control of the House at the stormiest times, he certainly never had a superior.  Friends and enemies alike recognized and cordially expressed their sense of his masterly abilities.