The Delaware Gazette

To the Editor of the Delaware Gazette.

SIR,

If the common observation, that "Laws were never made for men of honor," and that that class of men who are entitled to the appellation of honesty, don't require compulsory process to compel them to conform to their engagements, is applicable in affairs of business, it can be no less so in politics. The refined part of mankind appear to have established by common consent, a principle of exact punctuality in those engagements which are not within the power of civil coercion. Hence it has been a leading principle with the democratic party to always submit to the will of the majority. and whoever has seceded, either directly or indirectly, from this rule, has seldom failed to incur the contempt and indignation of his political brethren. Considering that the democratic party have always been the patrons of improvement-the advocates of the amelioration of man in society ; and that in so doing they have had to counteract the opposition of vigilant, and in this state, of almost invincible enemies--it is difficult to imagine a more detestable character, than one who while he professes to belong to the party, covertly attempts to tear asunder the political bonds by which the party are connected. The highway man who runs the risk of his life, in boldly arresting a man's property from him in the street---or to speak more applicably-the political opponent who manfully contends for the justness of his principles on a fair and open ground is entitled to ten thousand times more respect, than the mean underhanded, pretended friend, who silly intrigues with men, whom he would be ashamed to countenance in public. to effect the downfall of a prominent character.

I was led into the preceding observations, by reflecting on the indecent and unmanly opposition that has been made to Mr. Andrew Reynolds, as the candidate on nomination, for the representative of this county in the senate of the state, since the Red-Lion meeting of the 23d instant. Perhaps the business of the party was never conducted more fairly and honorably than at the present time; nor do I believe there ever was more general satisfaction given.

Pursuant to public notice, printed in both the Wilmington papers, and in 200 hand bills distributed through the county, a very large and respectable meeting of the democratic republicans, took place at the Red-Lion Tavern, in order to determine on the method to be adopted, for forming the county ticket. In this meeting two methods were proposed for selecting the candidates-that of hundred elections-and, the one heretofore adopted--that of delegates. The delegate system met the approbation of a large majority of the meeting, and in pursuance to its decisions, delegates were sent from each hundred and convened at the Red-Lion on Saturday the 23d instant, to form the county ticket. After the characters were put in nomination as candidates for the different offices, a motion was made for adopting the ticket as it stood, but before a vote of the House was taken on the question, a gentleman from Christiana Hundred objected to the ticket on account of its containing the name of Andrew Reynolds, as representative for Mill Creek Hundred--He stated that he did not believe Mr. Reynolds was the choice of his own hundred---that he did not believe he would be liked in his (Christiana) Hundred--He was called on to state his charges against Mr. Reynolds ; as it would be unfair to condemn a man without some crime being alleged against him, it was perfectly reasonable that his faults should, whatever they are, be laid before the public, of which they would judge. But the gentleman from Christiana Hundred did not and most probably could not state anything to the prejudice of Mr. Reynolds. The delegates from Mill-Creek Hundred, who had unanimously concurred in putting Mr. Reynolds on nomination stated that they had been elected delegates, for the express purpose of doing so, and that he was the choice of a large majority of the people of Mill-Creek Hundred. The debate ended here, and the ticket was adopted as it stood. So little attention was paid to the denunciation of Mr. Reynolds, if the observations of the gentleman from Christiana Hundred may be called a denunciation, that afterwards when there was a general ballot for a candidate for senator, it appeared on counting out the votes that Mr. Reynolds had a considerable majority for that honorable situation, in opposition to Dr. Alexander. Thus we see that not only a majority of the people of Mill-Creek Hundred but of the delegates of the whole county, concurred in the nomination of Mr. Reynolds, and eagerly seized that opportunity to give him their support, for the first office in the power to bestow.

But the public who are to be appealed to on this occasion, deserve an explanation of the true reason of this misplaced opposition. Mr. Reynolds was, one of those firm independent democrats, who three years ago opposed the nomination of Mr. John R. Phillips as candidate for the office of sheriff. This Mr. R. certainly had a right to do. His opposition was open and above board--he never refused to give his reasons for opposing him. However, Mr. Reynolds, by his opposition, incurred the hatred, not only of Mr. Phillips himself, but of his friends in Mill-Creek and Christiana Hundreds : and ever since it has been the object of their constant exertions, to deprive him of a seat in the legislature, without meeting with any Success. Chagrined and grown desperate, at length, with their repeated disappointments, they appear this year to have determined to violate every principle of moral and political duty to effect their object. They have availed themselves of the circumstance of the elopement of Mr. Reynolds' negroes, to publish the falsehood of his having disposed of them to a southern trader. --The virtuous and respectable Abolition Society is made the dupe of their wicked designs, and are called upon to inquire into the matter,-They do so, and find the allegation to be False. His enemies knew that the bare suspicion of being guilty of a crime of that nature, would injure his reputation.

They next attempt to render him abnoxious to the religious prejudices of the people, by asserting that he rescued his hay from being lost, by saving it on Sunday. It is by such mean vulgar insinuations, too low for the notice of a gentleman, that they have endeavored to effect the downfall of a man who could not be reproached with the want of moral rectitude or political duty.

If a man's consequence is to be estimated by the company he frequents, certainly the character of his decided enemies, will throw some shade of darkness or lustre over his reputation. It was indicated before. John R. Philips was the leader of the enemies of Mr. Reynolds--and it can'be proven that the notices which were circulated through Mill-creek hundred on the 26th inst. for the purpose of calling a meeting to oppose him, were in the hand writing of Mr. Philips, and circulated by himself. And Mr. John Harlin becomes so far the dupe of Mr. Philips, as to write a letter to the committee of vigilance in Wilmington, to suspend printing the tickets until they should hear the proceeding, of this meeting ! !

It is now well known that a design is on foot to prevent Mr. Reynolds from being supported. it would be insulting the good sense of the people to inquire whether they will submit to this nefarious imposition.-- But if a split is attempted, the engagements to support Perkins and Porter is violated, and anarchy in the Democratic party will be the consequence.