The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-11-24
Letter from the Honorable
John III. Clayton.

The Hon john II. CLAYTON was ex-
pecled to address the citizens of Whining
ton at a public meeting on Saturday last;
but sickness. consequent upon exposure,
prevented him doing so. As he could not,
however. utterly absent himself from the
place where the Wings OF Wilmington
were met for counsel, the following letter
was sent by him and read to the meeting:
HOMESTEAD. November Z, 1916.
DEAR SIR: | have Just returned from a
visit to the Wings of Kent county and, az
ter meeting and addressing them amid
storms and rains, have arrived at home
with a very bad cold and sore throat. 1t
was my confident expectation to meet the
Wings of Newcastle county in conven-
ton this day at Wilmington: but the in
clemency Of last week, and especially of
this day. have, much to my regret, cfiec-
tuallv disqualified me from addressing
them at this time.
| was the more anxious 10 avail myself
Of this opportunity Of meeting so many OF
the Wings of Delaware, because, in the
midst of The political revolution which is
now spreading over the whole Northern
and middle parts of the United States, |
desired 10 speak emphaticaIly upont the iu-
ture course which | have resolved to pur-
sue myself, and which | intended 10 adj
y.5c tle hjgs to adhere 10 hereafter. In
my opinion, 10 Wing should, at this tine,
shut his eyes 10 the fact that the present
overwhelming triumph of his party is
mainly to be ascrihed TO the repeal by the
Democratic party OF the tariff of IS{2.-
Our friends went into the contest immedi-
ately after the repeal Of that law; made
the issue with their opponents directly
upon the question whether the act of'42
should be restored and proclaimed upon
all their banners as their avowcd object,
the absolute and unconditional repeal Of
the tariff act Of 1916. Upon this issue VIC
have triumphed every where else; and
upon this issue VIC expect 10 stand or fall
in Delaware. The people have not by
their votes IN the late elections merely
siguiied their approval of some general
distractions. Instead Of addressing them
IS the friends of "U7cidcnf0i projections"
The advocates of so ju!icious f0riG," ana
other humdrum phrases with which party
politicians have often amused the masses
when they intended TO deceive them, the
Wings have spoken plainly out, specifi-
caliy, in favor of the tariff of 1912; and
pledged themselves, in the event of their
accession 10 power, 10 restore that tariff.
and to repeal the tariff OF 1916. We
have succeeded by no barren generalities,
BUT by a plain manly, and uncompromis-
ing declaration both of the principles we
mean to maintain, and of the practice by
which we mean 10 carry them out. The
people are sick of deception and will no
longer bear 20 he dipped by any men or
any party on this subject. Ii the Wings
expect to maintain their trlumphs, they
must deal honestly on all occasions with
the people; and not only profess plainly,
but practice literally according 10 their
professions and the now known wishes of
the people. The first thing 10 be effect
ed on their accession 10 power is the re-
peal Of the tariff of 1916 and the restora-
ton of the tariff of 1912. When a law
accomplishing these results shall have
passed Congress and been approved by a
President OF the United States, then, and
not till then, in my humble opinion, will
the greatest wish of the country be gratifi-
ed and its best interests sustained. When
this shall have been achieved, the people
will, in their own good time, indicate any
change they may desire in their revenue
system.
During the mighty struggle. which is
even not yet ended, we have proposed to
compromise no principles with u oppo.
!, ~nentsi and when the battle has been fough
and the victory securcd the enlv basis