The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-25
LETTER FROM SENATOR CLAYTON.
To the Editors of the National Intelligence

10 inc EdttOrS OF INC N0ttOHdt Ifttctttye"cT'
GENTLEMEN have felt much reluctance in
addressing the public by letter in regard to
the party politics of the day. desired not to
be suspected of parading my own opinions,
with the expectation of influencing those OF
others. But these opinions have been made
the subject of conjecture and doubt In por-
ton of the public press, and simple justice to
myself requires that the course l have deter
mined to pursue in regard to Presidential can
didates should be plainly understood. By pub
fishing these few lines you will not only do me
this Justice, but relieve me from burdensome
correspondence with personal friends, who have
inquired, and who have right to know, my
determination.
am too much out of health to become the
active partisan of any candidate for the Presi-
dency, even were l anxious to be such. But
the truth is, have long since resolved to be
the partisan of no man, to follow the conscieR-
tious convictions of my own Judgment alone,
and, no matter which of the candidates may be
successful, to support him in the Senate in all
that think right, and to oppose him there in
all that think wrong, untrammelled by party
ties. My object will be to be true to the coun-
try and its interests, knowing no other pole
star as the guide of my conduct.
While the Wing party was in existence as a
national organization, after the straitest sect
of that party lived Wing. But parties have
now taken such direction, and the divisions
and distractions in our country have become
so alarming, that no longer feel myself at
liberty to follow the dictates of sects or factions
/ will, at moments notice, help any set Of
men that stand by the country, and oppose any
that refuse to do so. During the small remain
der of the days which / have to devote to the
public service, 1 will live, hoping nothing per
sonally from the smiles, and fearing nothing
from the frowns, of parties or party men, be-
cause / believe / can thus best serve the inter
ests of the country. / forbear to common,
now upon the causes which led to the destruc
ton of the great national party to which ad
hered with unfaltering fidelity while it existed
I watched over its cradle, and have followed
its hearse. 1t did not fall by my hand, and
have deeply mourned at its funeral. Let me
add, that have been so long in the public
councils, that see no necessity of pinning my
faith and pledging my future course upon the
policy to be adopted by any of the distinguish
ed gentlemen who are Presidential candidates
for each of whom l trust feel and desire tc
express all proper respect. / shall be can
didate for no public honors or favors that any
of them can bestow. If the position / have
thus assumed be deemed by any one liable to
objection, as novel or unprecedented, l have
now only to add, in defence of it, that the con
dition of the country is at this time of the same
character, and, as humbly think, requires il
at nv hands. To the kind friends whose par
TALLY has upheld me through long course Of
service in the councils of the nation, it viii
hardly be necessary for me to say that l car
never prove an apostate to our ancient princi
pies and professions, and that shall still enter
tain for them the same sentiments of personal
regard and gratitude which have never failed tc
actuate me, and which / trust l have always
manifested towards them, when l had an oppor
runity of doing so. There is great difference
in our relative positions at this period. While
they are at perfect liberty to take such course
in the Presidential struggle as to their better
judgment may seem proper, they will, with al
their ancient charity for me, readily appreciate
the reluctance, nay, the loathing, with which
| at my time of life and in the present aspect
of our national affairs, should reAppear in the
Senate next winter, reeking from a politica
struggle violent as that by which bur country il
now convulsed. No one of the candidates who
may be selected by my countrWen for the
Presidency has right to ask of ne more thar
an honest support Of his Administration in al
that is right in my judgment, aid no one O
them shall receive less. Governed by the
same principle, / will oppose any of them il
every act of his that think wong, and h
ought to expect no other course dt my hands.
| l am, gentlemen, with sentiments of grea
respect and regard, your obedientservant,
JOHN M.CLAYToN.
Delaware, September 10, 1856.