The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-09-11
Political Views of a Distim.
guiShed MAN.

The Picayune says that Col. Claiborne
who formerly exercised very great influence
in the politics OF Mississippi. and for a while
here was potent as a leading Democratic
editor, was lately called upon to run fol
Congress from Southern Mississippi. He
declines in the following letter, which con.
tains some marked and remarkable opinions
S~H1ELpsBoRo, Miss, Aug. 10, 1868.
Capt. P. K. Meyers, Editor Hansboro Dem.
ocrat:
Ny Dear Sir-I have seen in your issue
of the 31st ult. the card of o number of
distinguished citizens Of Harrison county,
inviting me to be a candidate for Congress
in this district, and your kind endorsement,
thereof. am deeply impressed by this
manifestation of confidence or the p art Of
leading Wings and Democrats who have
known me intimately for Is years, in hap.
pier times and, in our latter days Of hu.
initiation and distress.
l. We're I, like most of those who have
signed this call, in the prime of life, with
energies unimpaired, and with talents equal
to the emergency | would make any sacri-
flee for our stricken country.
But l am a man of the past; too secluded
in my habits too much welded to the
theories Of former times too full of person
al recollections Of the great statesmen Of
the Republic-to be a fit representative of
any of the parties of to-day. ...-
have no disabilities TO remove, but have
scraples to- overcome. and On invincible
repugnance to the strife. of politics. For
fifteen years l have not attended a political
meeting. Since the surrender | have not
written q political article. 1t has been my
misfortune, or my weakness, to differ with
all parties too much, to expect to be popu-
lar with either. 1 differed with the Demo
Gratis in their ill-adpised and abortive at
tempts to organize the State Government
under the promptings Of Andrew johnson
I witnessed, with regret, the gross and un-
accountable biunders committed by their
Legislature and convention. I differed
with them when they elected Senators and
Representatives to Congress, certain to be
rejected; when they blindty advised the
people not to vote for delegates to a con-
v~ention, after the election had been ordered,
and thus threw the great responsibility of
making q constitution into the hands Of
their opponents, and s~uperinduced most of
our present difficulties. | differed with
them in their opposition to the removal Of
political disabilities by application to Con-
gress, and in their refusal to accept Office
especially the appointment of registrar
from the military authorities, thus compel.
ling the commanding generals to confer
chiefly on strangers. l
personally know that they would have
given the preference to established citizens.
differed with the Republicans in the
impiacable resentments they manifested for
the vanquished; in the political superiority
they desired to confer on an inferior race,
by DISTINGUISHING q, heroic people, glorious
their struggle for independence-more
in their fail. '"-' ia
I know very we'll that l have friends
the district vine remember my
name and services in the past It would
be afectation to undervalue what know
still retain, of old time popularity. But /
stand without a party owing allegiance to
in fellowship with, none asking
iayors of none ; under obligations. to none;
md can bring no strength to those who
wish me to unfuri their standard. q 8"'i'
Excuse me, then, to eur friends when 1
as I ann constrained to do, their
lind and iatteriag invitation. sd: ! tTa
Very respectfully aud truly, yours, aa.i-l
g ii u :; baT.i;J j. i. u. CLAIBORNE.