American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-02-15
The following is the reply of John Quincu D.,
TO the Committee appointed TO inform him ,' ~,
a1anfiop - VI

A." Gentlemen: In receiving this testimon;.,r
the Representatives of the People, and Sa.'
this Union, am deeply sensible to the circum.
ces under which it has been given. All nv p,.l
cessors in the high station to which the favor IA
House now calls me, have been hopored wnh
iorties OF the electoral voices in their prima,v a
leges. 1t has been my fortune to be placed bv III
divisions Of sentiment prevailing among our CONN.,.
men on this occasion, in competition, friendly
honorable, with three OF my fellow citizens. ali n.
ny enjoying. in eminent degrees the public h,,
and OF whose worth, talents, and services, M ~
entertans higher and more respectful sense II"
myself. The names of two Of them were, in n, \
ful6ment oil the provisions of the constitution, NJ.
scented to the selection of the House, in concurrrD,.
with my own names, closely associated with M,E
glory of the nation, and one Of hem further reron
mended by larger minority Of the primary elersEl
raj suhrages than mine.
| In this state OF things, could my refusal to acrrE
the trust thus delegated 10 me, give an immedsE
opportunity 10 the people TO form and to eypsE
with nearer approach 10 unanimiiy, the obeetE
their preference, should not hesitate to decline NH
acceptance of this eminent charge, and 10 subniE
the decision CT this momentous question again
| their determination But the constitution itself hE
not so disposed OF the contingency which would srp +
in the event of my refusal; shall, therefore, reD
10 the post assigned me by the call of my couDr
signihed through her constitutional organs; oppvs
ed with the magnitude OF the task before me, bu +
cheered with the hope of that generous suppOr
from my fellow citizens which, in the vcissi,ude
OF life devoted TO their service, has never failed
sustain me-confdent in the trust, that the wisdom
Of the Legislative Councils will guide and direct m,
in the path of my official duty and relying, above
all, upon the experimenting Providence Of Mat
Being +" in whose hand our breath is, and whose are
lall our ways"
Gentlemen: pray you TO make acceptable TO The
House, the assurance OF my profound gratitude Oi
their confidence and TO accept yourselves my hanbs
for the friendly terms in which you have commult
Gated to me their decision.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
Washington, 10Th February, 1895"
The Election Of PRESIDENT Of the United
States, 10 succeed the venerable incumbent Of that
elevated and responsible station has al length teri
minated, under circumstances more honorable h
the national character, more consoiing TO the paId
who takes deep interest in The duration OF our mi
situations, than could have been anticipated by hJ
most sanguine admirer oi our political system. WI,
speak now without reference to the actual choice
rconhning our alusion to the incidents of the etc
ton. We refer to the delibe alton and camneS
which characterized the conduct OF the Members 4
both Houses, the order and regularity of the plO
ceedlngs, the iorbearance on the part OF the yiclU
and the sober resignation OF the vanqnished FRIEND
of the several candidates. on the result being asct
tanned. To these characteristics oil the day, we adj
the orderly and respectful conduct Of the gaeriesi
for, though there were sounds heard from the gal
lerles, they were disountensnced by ninety nine cut
OF hundred Of those who filled them and wbN
The order was very properly given to clear the gal.
eres, in consequence oil the interruption to the pro-
ceedlngs Of the House, the intense anxiety 10 vii
ness The completion of the proceedings did not oc'
casion a moments hesitation, the order being
promptly obeyed.
Congress had been likened, by political writers,
in its function of electing President, 10 Polish
Diet. But, in reality, nothing was ever less like
any other thing. As far as our observation extend
ed, there was manifest among the Members nothing
but urbaniy and correct department, with cast Of
gravity arising from proper sense Of the impof'
lance Of The duty in tie discharge of which they
were engaged. There was neither violence NOT
trick in the proceeding. There was as little dis
guise; for, although the voting was altogether By
ballot, we do not believe that the vote oil single
member from any State is unknown. After what
has passed, we shall never again leel the apprehen
sion which, when at distance, the alternative oil an
election by the House oil Representatives filled mol
only our minds, but those OF large portion ol TN
American People. Nor have we been able to de-
ect the exercise Of any undue influence out Of doors
upon this election. We do not believe there was
any such. Combinations have been spoken OIL which
have been nagni6ed or embeIlished by public Iu'
NOR into something deserving great censure. We
have seen no evidence to prove 10 our minds tue
existence OF any combination by Members Of Con,
gress, other than The conference, consultation, ard
understanding, which the Constitution contemplate
We speak of things as we see them on the surface
and without pretending TO than ordinary means
OF information.
II the order and dignity of The official proceed
lngs IN this case deserve commentator, not less
10 be admired the personal department oil tbos
most seriously affected BY the result. The evetiaI