Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-01-18
From the Arkansian. Letter from Gen. Clarke.

I FAYETTEVILLE, ARK, Dec 19, 1859. MEssRs. PETTIGREw AND BoUDINoT:-I have received, during the summer and fall, numerous letters from gentlemen in vari- ous parts of the First District, expressive of their preference for myself as candi- date for Congress at the ensuing election, and requesting me to submit my name to the Dover Convention for the nomination. These tiattering propositions have inva- riably declined; and am called upon to publicly repeat my declarations, in conse- quence of similar invitations having been given through the columns of the newspa- per press.
 No one more than myself could be sen sible of the high honor which my friends do me in thus presenting my name to the people of this District for the most distin- guished and important trust which they can confer; nor appreciate more fully this evidence, however mistaken they may be in their kind partiality, as manifested by their letters and the newspaper communi- cations referred to. Their proposition to confer upon me this distinguished honor, | entltle them to my warmest gratitude and this public demonstration Were 1 ambi- tious of political honors, at no hands would be more rejoiced to receive them than from my old and true friends of Ar kansas, and especially of the First Con- gressional District, the native soil of my children and so long my residence. No people would l sooner serve-no people whose interest do I more earnestly wish and pray for than my old and constant friends. But it is not within my power to gratify this wish so near my heart-it is my fortune to be called to another career
 Among the numerous highly qualified gentlemen in this District, they will have no difficulty in making a selection for the post Tn question, and one, too, that will re- dound more to their interest and honor- That they will be governed, in making that selection, by the highest principles of patriotism and fidelity to the Democratic party, have no doubt. That they will keep m view the integrity and success of the true Democracy. have not the least apprehension, and that desirable end will, feel confident, be the result of their ac- tion.
 The Democratic party has high mis- sion to perform. Upon its action and suc- cess depend the rights of the people and the States guaranteed by the Constitution, that glorious production of the wisdom and patriotism of brave ancestry, and which has been transmitted to us in trust only, for common posterity. That Con stltution was formed by our fathers to se- cure to us our rights as people and the rights of the States; and they gave to us an Union for strength and ability to main tain these rights. Every instinct of patri- otlsm should prompt us to sustain that Un1on so long as 1t answers its purposes Tn maintaining the rights of the States We should guard with a jealous watchful- ness every act or proposition to weaken the bond under the Constitution; and 1t is no less our duty to watch and contend against every encroachment upon the rights of the States. We are bound by our obligations to maintain the one as much as the other. The Constitution and the rights which are guaranteed under 1t, are the heir loom of posterity, and 1t is our duty to transmit that lnheritarce, unimpaired, whole and entire. as it was handed down to us by our fathers. As true Democrats we are bound to maintain the Union for the sake of the rights of the States; but when it ceases to give protection to the latter, 1t is no longer Me Union created by our revolutionary an cestors; we must, however, ntaintdim He constitutional rights of he States at aX haz- ards. The Democratic party is at this time engaged in fearful contest with the enemies of the Constitution. A powerful party is organized upon the principles of consolidation; its aim is the destruction of | the rights of the States. and 1t is the patri otic duty of every good citizen in every part of the republic to use unselfsh exer- i tions to defeat the reasonable aims of that party.
 hope my old friends will pardon these remarks, which may appear irrelevant to the subject of this letter; my apology is the deep interest which feel in the impor- tant issue now before the country.
 With grateful remembrance for the many tavors which l have received from my fellow citizens, and full appreciation and gratitude for their recent manifestations Ill my behalf, l remain their and your re- spectful and obedient servant,
 1 GEO w CLARKE