Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-02-18
BEAcoN.STREET, JAN. 81. 1924.

GENTLEMEN-l receive with respect and
thankfulness, the notice of your intention to
propose me to the meeting of gentlemen
whom you represent, as a candidate for the
Office OF Governor for the next year. A SIM
liar overture made to me the last year, au-
thorlzed the expectation that it might be re.
peated, and the event of the election of that
year led to determination on my part, which
remaining unchanged, enables me to give to
your proposal reply, without hesitation or
delay. That determination has been and still
is, respectfully, but decidedly, to decline the
preferred honor. But as it is well known that
cannot with truth allege any disqualification
from the state OF my health, or affairs, for this
decision, those who intend for me this honor
are entitled to frank avowal of the reasons
which induce its adoption. am we'll aware
OF the high value which ought to place up
on this renewed testimonial of the approba-
ton and confidence of those, and of the rep
resentatives of those, whose principles and
views have been accustomed to regard as in
accordance with the best interests of my coun-
try.
1t has been under the impression of this
high value, that have devoted nearly thirty
years of my life, including its prime, with lit
tie intermission, to their service, in elective
Offices in the National and State Govern
ments. These were never solicited by me.
but accepted frequently against my inclna-
ton and Judgment, and always with great in
convenience to my private interest. A CRATE
iul sense OF the honor and obligation arising
from the apparently cordial and general con-
hdence manifested by my constituents, enjoin-
ed upon me, as thought, the duty of obedi-
ence to their call. My only qualification in
public employment, next to the consciousness
OF good intention, consisted in the persuasion,
that in the painful and trying scenes where /
have been called to act, my humble part was
performed to the appreciation Of the great ma
jority of the people of my native State, includ-
ing those who were best entitled to my vener-
alton and regard; and that an appetite for Of
fee could not be Feckoned among my motives
for persevering in path which led in an op-
posite direction, especially when in order to
qualify myself to serve my fellow citizens in
sfices depending on popular election, have
repeatedly resigned and never sought Offices
OF emolument conferred by executive appoint.
ment. But in becoming candidate for the
CHAIR under existing circumstances, could no
longer repose upon these sources of consola
ton. The issue of the last election renders
it probable that at least a small portion of nv
former political associates are of the senti.
ment that 1t is time man should be abandon
ed by his friends, when his fidelity has made
him obnoxious to their adversaries. And
though the exertions of those, who, like your
selves, deny the business of this conclusion.
might perhaps obtain in my favor small ma
Jority OF votes, yet to accomplish this would
require efforts which | ought not to impose
upon them, and which | could not consent
to their making, without the appearance of
sollcitude for Office which never could feel.
and without departing from rule invariably
prescribed tor my own government-never to
permit myself to become an instrument of d.
VISION or embarrassment to the measures of nv
friends.
thank you, gentlemen, for the. oblieing
terms. so greatly transcending my claims, in
which your communication is made, and with
the assurance of my profound respect, and
mistaken attachment to the gentlemen who
compose the meeting which YOU REPRESENT. /
pray you to express to them my ardent hope,
that their attention may he successfully d.
rected towards some individual, whose steady
adherence to their principles, and whose la
oors and sacrifices in their service, al all times.
through good report and evil report, NAV
nave such claims upon their unanimity as will
insure his election.
have the honor to be, with the highest re-
spect and esteem, gentlemen, your obedient
servant, II. q. OTIS
10 Honorable THOMAS H. PERKINs1
Chairman Of the Committee ap-
pointed by Convention of the
Federal Republican Members of
both Houses Of the Legislature Of
Massachusetts,t to recommend meas
Vres &c. &c.