The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-06-01
For ths DEMOCRATIC Wing
c CANDIDATE FOR GovERNOR.-GEO.
r. CLAYTON, ESQ.

r. CLAYTON, ESQ.
Ma. EDrrcR.-I wish to lay before your
readers, a few considerations, in addition 10
those already suggested by me, in favor Of the
nomination Of George R. Clayton, Esq, for
the Office Of Governor Of this State, by the
Wing convention which will assemble on the
2nd Monday in June. cannot hope that my
views on this subject viii meet the eye of any
person, unless by mere accident, who is not a
subscriber to your valuable paper; for have
discovered a sedulous and ovefweening anxi-
ETY. on the part Of other wing editors to with
hold from their readers, even the fact that the
name Of Mr.. Clayton had been mentioned in
connection with the Office of Governor This
uniustiiable course is pursued by them, not
from any opposition to Mr.. Clayton, but for the
very unsatisfactory and absurd reason, that
discord may be produced among the wings by
the discussion Of the claims Of gentlemen
whose names viii be before the convention.
Such protective policy might do for men who
bad assumed the guardianship and manage
ment Of unlettered Arabs, and unthinking loco.
focos but | am mortified that such an appol-
ogy should be offered for direliction Of duty
by the editors Of the wing party; embracing as
that party does, so may men of intelligence
who have not been accustomed TO avoid the
light Of truth, but with minds, fearless and in
dependent, have sought it wherever it was
to be found, and with iiberality, disseminated
Il, wherever it could be spread. Il is proper
todscuss with fFeedomthe qualifications Of all,
whose names VIII probably be submitted to the
.eonvention--that their claims may be canvas.
sed by the people; and that the delegates may
be enabled fairly 10 represent the wishes Of
their constituents. Conventions are odous,
q cir action partial and unjust, and their nomi-
nations entitled to no respect, conducted upon
any other principle. When they do not con-
centrate and proclaim the voice OF the people,
they are engines in the hands OF few crafty
and selfish politicians without intelligence,
judgement, or honesty. 10 comprehend and
provide for the interest Of the commonwealth.
They are MONSTERS from whose large and pro-
life spawn proceed a progenoy Of curses
more odious aud destructive than the curses
inflicted upon the all ated laud Of Pharaoh
for his contumaeeOus disregard of the voice Of
the people Of lsreal and their God.
How generally is il the tactthat men Of great
merit, and competent to I'll! the highest Offices
Of the State, have but limited acquaintance,
whilst The names oftheir noisy aud aspiring in
ferios are trumpeted forth With busting con-
sequence throughout the whole country. The
result is, not unfrequently, that the man Of
modest merit, is permitted TO remain in OBJ
security, and the Offices Of the State, by the in
fuence Of anominaiion from a convention, con-
ferred upon arrogant inferiorily, and crafty,
but noisy imbecilily.
Mr.. Clayton, though many years citizen Of
Mississippi and fav0rably known IN this Sec
ton OF the State, and highly appreciated BY all
his acquaintances, for bis talent and undevia-
ting morality, has occupied no public station
which would give him notonety abroad He
has filed no Office Of importance, since his re.
mova from the state Of Georgia, his native state,
where, for several years he was a Useful and
prominent member Of the Legislature. His
time has been devoted TO the duties Of his pro-
fession; from which he has lately retired, and
is now engaged in the quiet occupation Of
planter. He has never authorized his name
to be announced as a candidate for the Office
Of Governor; nor is he an applicant for a nom
nation by the Wing convention. His friends
have thought him peculiarly qualifed to dis
charge the duties OF a Chief Magistrate Of the
State,-and believe that the interest Of the
country demand his serviees-I believe he
would regard it as his duty 10 accept a nomi-
nation II rendered to him BY the convention, and
that he would exert the energies Of a well dis.
ciplined, and wellst mind for the triumph
ant success Of the wing party. Upon the Sc
verest scrutiny, be viii be iound liable TO fewer
.bssasftors then afrnanf any othnr rsrurnfrtrs,f
man 10 our ranks. His political enemies will
be compelled By a sense ofjustice-.to accord to
him the highest qualfica tons. The wings
have not lost the majority which carried the
State in 1910. Judge Shattuck did not re-
ceive the full vote THE party. There is a
deep and immoveable prejudice in the minds
Of many Of the people against voting for any
man for political Office, who is Preacher Of
the Gospel They believe, and not without
some reason, that the duties Of the sanctuary
should be unconnected with and uncontamina.
| ted BY the political striies and tumults Of the
day. This nonly prejudice, is an honest
one, and ought to be respected. Il is enter.
tanned BY nearly all Of our citizens who have
removed from States where the constitution
and laws prohibit ministers Of the gospel from
kolding political Office. Il was this deep root
ed prejudice which enabled Mr.. Tucker Il
succeed over an opponent, greatly bis superol
in ability. Pass0n Shattuck, Passon Shat
tuck,n as Tucker SO frequently and so eupho
neously designated bis competitor, was more
powerful weapon in bis hands, to work apoI
the preiudces Of bis hearers, than al bis con
fused arguments upon the constitution. 70
the wings, therefore, TO select a candidate, wh,
in intellect and morals, will compare with on
50 able and woTthyas Judge Shattuck, and a
the sameiime not be obnoxious 70 The objection
above named, is : consideration Of great i'm