The daily union., 1854-10-22
For the Onion
MR.. CLAYTON AND KSow-SorHISGIsN.

After long time spent ruitlessy and much pains taken
render their bait attractive knownothing friends
have at last they think, caught big fish. The Hon
John NJ Clayton has after sailing around the aurng object
With sort of wil-wonty" nonchalant air. been fairly
hooked by the patient know-nohing anglers who till then
had oiled in vanther labos being previously rewarded
only by despsed of minnows and gudgeons. We
congratulate them heartily upon their prize although we
question much whether its value has not been over-est-
mated by them the flush of unexpected and ongde-
ferred triumph Imay we'll also suggest that the fish
though hooked is far from being landed yet upon the
arid banks of and that he perchenoe
be playing with them whilst they think they playing
with him Would it not be pity it, after ALL such
splendid fellow should get off
These reflections have been suggested perusing the
letter of Mr. Clayton dated sh August last recently given
to the public Why this letter not sooner published
shall pause to inquire lest might be accused OF
pryng too boldly into the mysterious and often unae-
countable movements of politicians. We hope however
that it attack of modesty which beiell this vener
bic statesman, and made him reluctant to proclaim ms
views sought for in a complimentary and kind
The letter in question is addressed to Mr. Rodney KING
who though protesting himself fully acquainted with his
(Mr Cayons views, freely expressed IN debating these
questions before the people yet seems, with genuine
know nothing absence of all deicacy, TO have deemed
necessary to invite a fuller exposition and distinct
" pledge to act upon them. Mr. Rodney Kings whole
epistle is couched in businesike strain and may be
considered equivalent to saying "Come up and toe the
mark if you have any wish to be the knownothng nom
inee for President His suspicious of the fidelity OF Mr.
Clayton and his attempts to get him unmistakahy COM
mtted upon the record, doubtless founded upon
correct estimate of his character which shall not under
| take to dispute.
/ Mr. Clayton kindly consented to take his friend Mr.
Rodney Kings epste from the post Office and gave 1t hve
weeks attentive consideration. He had probably never
seen curious document before and should be excused
for dwelling upon it, turning inside and out as he doubt
i IA lly
they did not pernicious element dangerous to
the hopes of presidential aspiran Al length he replied
10 it. and assigned protracted sickness as the reason Tor
his delayno rejecting, perhaps upon the intimate con-
nexion between physical and mental mhrinity ana tne
wellknown readiness of malicious politicians TO deduce
the latter from the former maady. Let politician now
a-days confess that "hs liver is out of order and he is
charged with taking gangrene view OF ue pouy
polite In Mr. Clayton's there is unfortunately ohi
too much for this surmse His whole epsue Is
written in Cassandra-ike and somewhat ill-natured
strain commenting with awful apprehension upon host
of politica evils which, if they possess the importance he
attributes to them have certainly hitherto by some mar
veous process escaped the vgant eye with which he mas
many years watched for the good of the country Patrick
has been here little time and has heretofore pee es
teemed by all as wild, careless, rockng fellow, prone
to an occasional fight but in the main honest and patri-
oc From all plots against the State If he had not been
prevented by his very instincts he would have been es-
topped by organization and temperament too frivolous
perhaps for serious task of reasonable conspiracy Ills
dsposition to everything would have made hin
unfit either to be a traitor know wnothng This we'll
known character since Mr. Clayton would have GER
titled to as quickly as any else. Bn presidential
nomination is held up his apt vision, and presto this
careless goodhumored fellow Patric has suddenly be-
come in Mr. Claytons eyes most dangerous indyidua
ll of treason stratagem and spoils lshating the State
comprising its overthrow by Jesuit wes and yet finding
time to appropriate the lions share of the Offices NO won
der good Mr. CLAYTON is exercised and forthwith proceeds
to ndite long letter his friend Mr. Rodney King, by
way of exercising the demon his fancy has conjued up
In the midst however of his patriotic fears Mr. Clayton
declines subscribe the know-nothing dogma OF pro-
scrbng all adopted citizens from office in its fullest and most
foolish comprehensvenes The plunge bath is too much
for his nerves. and hence he stands upon the brink pad
ding anon in the turbid pool of knownothingsm, and
pausng with the characteristic hesancy OF easy virtue
He tells Mr. Rodney King thai he can lay down no gem
ea which there will not necessarily be exceptions
Exactly so Mr. Clayton; that is what we have told the
"know nothing" numsculs all along You were too smart
to commit yourself with life before you and hope bound
ing in your veins the absurd doctrine of prescribing
every adopted citizen irrespective of his talents patriotism
and general fitness You had too much regard for the
memory of Washington to denounce him for employing
the foreign born Alexander Hamilton Jeer
son Madison for the condegce they reposed in Albert
Gaatin And yet whilst noting and avoiding the pit-fa
spread for your unwary feet you must needs say with the
oracuar of Bunsby giving IAN opinion as is an epn-
ion that sin your Judgment native American citizen
under equal circumstances Of qualifications and merit is
better entitled the honors and Offices of the country than
a foreigner whether natnrazed not The evident inn
pcaon of this sentence that the adopted citizen is to be
prefersd he possesses superior qualifications and merit
over his competitors This is all that have
tended for and is than sufficient to blast your hopes
of getting the know-notbng nomination. unless you shut-
fe the pack aga,u, age play stronger card
It's to be regretted, however THAI Mr Clayton has
to p1iUiO of The
ouestion He saws he would to it that of
any sect whose creed teaches them deny religious oera
ton to him and his countrymen should hold Office
here or power any kind persecue for our religious
opinions Ii this language has any meaning it undouot
edy mas reference the Catholics whose creed the know
nohings assert denies religious oleration and whom,
therefore they wish prescribe from s Offices OF proht
and trust Mr. Clayton echoes the charge by undoubted
implcaon and with ready confidence proposes his caa-
pasm of prescription the remedy the evil Now, we
40 not wish TO task seriously this gentenans memory,
bu we beg permission remind him that some tve or six
Years ago he was the head of General Taylors cabinet
and was generally supposed to have had governing voice
in its selection of its principal members was Thomas
Ewing Secretary Of the Interior, with whom MI Ciay-
ton shared the burden OF the government and the con-
6dence of the President Daily they sat together at the
council board held long and deep consultation for the
GOOD of the country then under happier auspices than
when deprived of two such brilliant lights The organ
daily announced their concord upon all governmental