Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-11-20
Letter of John NJ. Clayton.

The following noble and patriotic letter from
JOIN NJ. CLAYTON, one of the best men OF the
Country, was read before an immense gathering
of the Wings of Delaware at a meeting in Will
mington on Saturday the 18th inst. 1t states the
true issue under which the Wings have achiev-
ed their recent trumphs, and will go on conquer
ing and to conquer-the Tariff of 1912 against
the Tariff of 1916. This issue, together with
the growing and deepening rcpugnance of the
great body of the American People to tie
WARTS casues and consequences--will fill tie
measure of popular condemnation of the spuri-
Gus Administration of JAMES X. Polk. "The
good time is coming, boys''
HOMESTEAD Nov 1th 1916
DEAR SIR Il have just returned from visit to
the Wings OF Kent County, and aftermceting and adj
dressing them amid storms and rains, have arrived at
home with very bad cold and throat 1t was
my confident expectation to meet the Wings of New
castle county in the convention now assembled at
| Wilmington but the inclemency of last week. and
especially OF this day have, much to regret.
/ trcly disqualified me from addressing them at this
| time.
was the anxious to avail myself of this oppor-
tunlty OF meeting so many oil the Wings of Delaware
because in the midst of the political revolution which
is now spreading over the whole Northern and mid
die part OF the United States desired to speak en-
phatlcalIy upon the future course which have resolv
ed to pursue myself, and which intended have ad-
vised the Wings to adhear to hereafter.
| In my opinion, no Wing should shut his eyes to the
| TACT that the present overwhelming triumph OF hi
party is mainly TO be ascrbed to the repeal, by the
Democratic party, OF the Tariff OF 1872. Our friends
went IN TO the contest immediately after the repeal o
that law made the issue with their opponents direct
ly upon the question whether the act OF ~ shall b.
restored, and proclaimed upon all their banners al
their aNowed object the absolute and immediate rcpca
OF the Tariff Act OF 1916, Upon this issue we have
trlumphed every where else and upon this issue WE
expect to stand fall in Delaware. The peop,
have not by their votes in the late election nerr,
slgniied their approval OF some general distractions
Instead OF addressing them as the friends OF mcideHtd
protection, the advocates of Il judicious tariT ant
other humdrum phrases with which party politician.
have often amused the masses when they intended Il
deceive them, the Wings have spoken plainly out spe
citcalIy in favor of the Tariff of 1872 and pledge,
themselves, in the event of their accession power
to restore that Tariff and to repeal the Tariff OF Is l6
We have succeeded by no barren generatcs bu
by plain manly, and uncompromising declaration
both OF the principles we mean maintain, and O
; the practice by which We mean to carry them out
The people are sick OF deception, and vii no longe
bear to be ,dqped by any man OF any party on thi
SUBJECT. II the Wings expect to maintain their tri
. umph they must deal honestly on all occasions an
not only profess plainly but practise literally, accoi
dlng to those professions and the now known wishe
- o! tile people. The first thing to be effected on the
accession to power, is the repeal of the Tariff of Il
, and the restoration OF the Tariff of AZ To this gret
end hrs OF all things let every Wing effort be directed
10 'hcii Ia" accomplishing these results shall hay
a passed Congress and been approved by President
W the United stats, then, and not till then iii my hun
- bic OPINION, VIII the greatest wish OF the country
Is gratiled, and is best interests sustained
IL hen this shall have been achieved the people wi
- III Their own good time, indicate any change they ma
ny desire IN Their revenue system. During the nigh
'u struggle which is even not vet ended we have pr
oe posed 10 compromise principles with our opponen
o AMI when the battle has been secured the only ba.
IL, upon which we should ever attempt to treat ought
iu be the Status "o ante 5eum Put us back precis
ly ly where we were before the Tariff act of 1916 I
II I'll that end is Obtained we heaken to no conproms
T we listen to no halt way measures. and least OF ALL
LII such as Iroposc to sacrifice class OF nanuacu
to maintain another. Diride and conquer, will
the maxim OF our opponents. And i is duly
dlstrust any who shall seek divide us by off
ing protection TO some classes at the expense OF all
ID, rest
- ltthere be any among us who shall desire to p
!" that game, or dare to offer Whiu measure q
IS. proposition which has TOR its object battle and
feat the unequvocal restoration OF the Tariff Is
u" let us at once repudiate the measure, as uncaed
nh by the people and opposed TO their wishes Scout
49, all distractions and generaties let us continue
VIC present the principle Tor which contenl III;
ev fully and openly object visible and tangible I
at this stand the wachword o the party, the shib
IT. eth OF our political faith lnscribe it every w
flag and each will become ldbdrum as inyinci
as the banner OF the Constantines.
-. Had 1t been permitted me to attend the meetn!
me should have awaited myself of the opportunity to c.
m, grJtulte the Wings, not only the triumphs abo
r. but on the prospects at home In every part OF Do
s. ware which have visited the Wing fires burn BRIG
ly and ii the friends OF the party do suffer the
~ selves to be distracted BY false issues their victor
cn certain and Delaware will present to the country
!, usual a Wing Governor, Wing Representative
nis Congress, ana Wing Legislature.
i'm have the honor TO be,
,Is Very respectfully, your obt servant.
~