Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1854-02-03
Reg. ii. Clay Dean.

Inc hooKuk VhtS having nominated
Rev. II. Clay Dem rs candidate for SUI
perintendent of Public Instruction, he de-
clines in the following communication
MEssRs. EDlroRs JOURNAL:
Valley Wing, which has just fallen into nay
hands, see the announcement OF my name
as candidate for the Office of Superinten-
dent If Public Instruction.
Whilst acknowledge my grateful obliga-
ton to those friends through whose kind
partially my name has been present ed to
the public, for that most responsible Office,
avail myself of the very earliest opportunity
to signify my determination not to be can
didate. The services required at my hand,
by Christian Church, of which ! am an
humble member an accumulation Of private
business, and voluntary pledge given to
the friends OF temperance in the State, to
lecture on that cause, make it impossible
for me to turn my attention to the canvass
ing the State-- which should do were
candidate for 16y Office.
can lind no better time or place than
this, to give expression to my regret, that
IN ONCE of the character, md purely social
importance, of that of Superintendent Of
Public Instruction, should he thrown into
tho squabbles Of party politics; or, that
duties and responsibilities, such as pertain
to it should be given in the care of mere
politician as the reward Of mere party
service. And If this is an age of progress,
| trust a Christian man may, without pre-
sumption, pray for the coming of day
when Offices which are ministerial in their
character, and which have no legitimate
connection whatever with politics, will be
filled by pure and competent men, the stand
ard of whose measure will partake of the
nature of the Office they ill. Were in
such situation a. to justify my candidacy
for that place, should be the exponent OF
no party platform. Would be an Indepcn-
dent Candidatc-canvass the whole State
present my claims and views to the people,
and submit the question of qualification to
the judgments and votes of those whose in
terests are involved in the election of that
Office Very truly yours,
HENRY CLAY DEAN.
P.S. I should have addressed my letter
| to the Valley Wing, but for the belief that
this would reach that paper moro readily
through yours than by letter. H. CD.
Since the above was in type, we have re-
ceived the following communication from a
frstrate Wing, who has known Mr.. Dean
for many years. We can ourself bear te,-
timony of his high estimate OF Mr.. DIS
worth, ability and qualifications for the
Office of Governor, but having previously
stated our determination not to endeav-
or to forestill the action Of the Convention
by expressing preference, we give place to
the Communication without further COM
ment:
MEssRs. EDiroRs I'll understand by a
publication in various papers of the ate,
that the Wings will meet in convention at
Iowa City, on the 22d day of February, for
the purpose of nominating candidates for
the variuos State Offices to be filed during
the present year by election.
By papers published in tho southern por-
ton Of the State, learn that the Rev. Hem
~ Clay Dean 10 named in connection with
the Office OF Superintendent Of Public In
struction. Now, while admit that choice
could not fall upon better or worthier
person, hope that Mr.. Dean will not per-
NIT his name to be thus used. have no
objection to Mr.. Dean. l would willingly
vote for him for the Office of Superintendent
of Public Instruction, but would greatly
prefer to vote for him as candidate fr
Governor. If the man lives in the State of
Iowa, who is not Lecofoco, that can be
elected to the Office Of Governor, that man
10 Henry CLAY DEAN.
lie 10 emphatically the man for the pso-
pie; and he is SO, simply because he has not
allowed his great attachments to interfere
with his common sense.
If MIR. Dean were put in nomination
for the Office of Governor, and would con-
sent to canvass the State, l should have NO
doubt Of his election. But it is not on the
ground of availability alone, that would
present tho name Of Mr.. Dean to the con-
siderstion of the Convention to be held ut
Iowa City, and to the people OF the state /;
it is chiefly on the grounds of his eminent
ability-his grent moral worth-his indie
fatigablo onergy-his zeal aid his fine de-
termination, which admit not into his vo.
cabulary the word fail when he has Under.
taken to do anything. What say you?
Ok. OF rHR PEoPLE.