Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1856-09-18
LETTER FROM SENATOR CLAYTON.

To tho Editors of ths National In tsliiRencsr:
Gentlemen: have felt much reluctance in ad :
Pressing the public by letter in regard to the
party politics Of the day. desired not 10 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 portion of the
! public press. and simple Justice TO rn-seif re
| quires that the course have determined tc
pursue in regard to Presidential candidates
should be plainly Understood. BY publishing
these few lines you will net only do me this
justice, but relieve tne from hurdensomt
corrSsDondence with personal friend; who have
inquired, and who have right to know, my
determination.
am 100 much outof health to become the
active partisan of any candidate for the Pres.
iency, even were anxious to be such. But
the TRUTHS, have long since resolved 10 be the
| partisan Of no man, to follow the conscientious
convictions OF my own judgment alone. and, no
matter which Of the candidates may be sue
scessful, 10 support him in the Senate in all
that think right, and to oppose him there 10
all that think wrong, untrammeled by par
~ ties. My object will be 10 be true to the
country and its interests, knowing no other
pole. star as The guide of my conduct.
While the Wing party vas in existence as a
national organization, after the stfaightest sect
Of that party lived Wing. But parties have
now taken such direction, and the divisions
and distractions Of this country have become 50
alarming, that no longer feel myselfat liber-
ty 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 dc so. During the small Iemain-
der, Of tho days which have to devote to the
public service, will live hoping nothing per
sonally from the smiles and fearing nothing
from The irowns Of parties or party men, be.
cause believe eau thus best serve the inter
ests Of the country. fOrbear to comment now
upon the causes which led to the destruction
of the great national party to which adhered
with unialtering fidelity while it existed. l
watched over its cradle, and have followed its
hearse. IL did not fall by my hand, and have
deeply mourned at its funeral. Let me add
that have been 80 long IN the public councils
that see no necessity Of piuning my faith and
pledg ng my future course upon the policy to
be adopted by any Of the distinguished gentle-
men who are Presidential candidates, for each
Of whom trust feel and desire to express all
proper respect shall te u candidate for ne
pubic honors or favor that any Of them can
bestow. II the position have thus assumed be
deemed by any unaliable TO objection as novel
or unpi ecendented lhave now only to and in
defence Of it that the condition of the country
is at this time OF the same character, and as |
humbly think, requirers it at my hands. "ro
the kind friends whose Partially has upheld
me through lcTg course of service in the
councils If the nation it will hardly he necues-
sary for me to say that can never prove an
apostate TO our ancient principles and pro-
LESSONS, and that shall still entertain for
them the same sentiments of personal regard
and gratitude which never failed 10 actuate me
and which trust have always manifested
tJwsrds them when bad an opportunity
doing So There is great difference in Uui
relative positions Of this period. While they
are at perfect liberty to take such course in the
Presidential struggle as 10 their better judg.
ment may seem proper, they will, with all their
ancient charity for me, readily appreciate the
reluctance. nay. the loathinE, with which, at
my time of life, and in the present aspect Of
our national affairs, / should reappear in the
Senate next winter, reekng from political
struggle violent is now convulsed No one Of
the candidates who may be selected by my
'countrymen for the Presidency, has a right TO
ask Of me nore than an honest support of his
administration in all that is right in my judy
msnt, ard no one Of them shall receive less.
by the same principle, will oppose
any Of them in every act Of his that think
wrong, and he ought to expect no other course
az my hands.
l am, gentlemen, with sentiments Of great
respect and regard, your obedent servant.
JOAN M. CLAYTON
delaware SeDtetoher 10 1885