Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-01-08

would gladly IL on TINS occ'S!"n nave {"
tered on the duties Of My Office with dt'ermnaN'n 10
h;ch, ce them faithfully, without regard 10 party as
,inc,iona While 'my political opinions are "r!' Known,
have never been concealed. shall always he '''flS"'"
with the sacredness OF reg'nus truth, my s'"rh Goes
moi reoire an active exercise OF them hut On 'e con
,r,rv loads me- 10 practise Justice aId nPa7a!ty ~
wards all men-And that course shall most assaredy
pursue regardless OF any reflections or 1epoachcs which
Yours, most respectfully,
HUGH a GARLAND.
Hon. JAMES GARLAND,
House # Representatives,, q. States
MrcxLryBunG Aug. 2S. 1887
DEAR SIR After mature consideration, | have come
10 the concnson that anghl not 20 suffer riy name -
he rl5cpd in nomination as candidate for The "Ice OF
Secretary TO the House Of Representatives will can
didy explain the motives which have Induced me to de-
cline the proposition, Notwithstanding The al,erns as
suraCces al NY success.
Ever since my entrance into pablo life. it has been
practice " it'll express my opinions freely on all
rrominrn Mt and npotian political questions, without re
gard Ia The effect such expression might have on my
private ntercs, or on that OF others STUDIED Tie
Constitution Of country and the history "i parties
before aud since its adoption long before had ibrn2d
any political associations of my own. Having formed
my principles deliberately, on a full contemplation OF
our political institutions, without paralty prejudice.
no slight consideration induce me to swrrse from
that line OF measures, which regard as most consistent
wi,h the spirlt Of the Constitution and the general and
permanent welfare oil the Whole Union wish /" shape
cnse me cf de WAITING from that cardinal maxim which is
50 essential to the well being OF every Republic mtd
surrs and not seu Without leading you through long
history OF my political course To shrw that have h;h.
erln acted upon his cardinal rule will simply direct
uraltenlian 10 that question which absnrhs public
consideration and which is to be the future cause OF dI.
visions and sub divisions oi party Whenhe reception
ct that portion Of the surplus reSenu" falling 10 Virginia
Was under discussion in our Legislature, (Decrmhsr,
!e:iO thought SAW too great Gispnsnn TO ncGu!.
esce in the present aIi laws. which had filled the frca
su,v with redundant revruues burihens"mc 10 The reo
pie and corrupnL 10 their agents And what To me
was still more ua.mng. perceived willingness 10 r."
crve fiom year year. dPaS ie that portion {" The
SURPLUS revenue which mi ght fall 10 Virginia believing
that The depose system Thus continued and acquesced
in would he dangerous than an open distribution
among the States, felt il my duty 10 protest against
the nrasurc amd, among others, 10 offer resolution IN
s;rucng Senators 10 all proper means 10 prevent
Il donation Of Tie public lands distribution OF their
proces ds-ant take such measures as IN their Judg
,ncus may be best calculated 10 adjust the tariff laws
that there may he future surplus for distribution or
depusr.
Al a later period of The session, when the 'Revenue
Bill" had passed both Houses Of Congress, again *
pressed my opinions fully 10 the policy therein con
irmpla,ed | regarded thai bill as part, and as per
lvctng of the great system had before condemn
ed deposite of the public revenues among multi
luhe of local banks for their aud specu'nt;nn-
and distribution Of the surplus among the States,
could look upon without many orebodngs oi evil
Such measures adopted as the permanent policy ni 10
yprnmeu, 1 WAS satisfied would never accomplish their
purpOsea correction OF the currency-nnd would
finally end in the corruption and The overthrow OF the
States Viewing The Deposte Scheme aud the Revenue
Bill as whole in that light. could not fail 10 lIlt my
hands u ans it, notwithstanding many their sup
pnrers whom loved and esteemed friends, relations
and statesmen. Had my own brother or my own father
been the author OF those Of duty would
have mpe!led me TO take The same course But in justice
to Ar Rves mns say, that my mind has been greatly
relic we'd By the recent explanations given Of his views
in reference the ''Revenue Bill Contemplated mere
t,ohi ba ppIu /
have in viewtlla final separation OF Government from
the Banks-it is not objectionable Indeed, in!u
sion Of more gold and silver into circulation before they
are reSor,ej to the only medium far collecting The
venues would be- most desirable thing could il be
coInplished Bat, believing that the Banks never will
accomplish it that ii 10 vain TO eIpec; the steady aud
consistent cooperation OF six and twenty Stales-and
belle that the present crippled and deIanTed
dllon of the banks is be of several years dua'ion
my dgmcnt leads The conclusion, that separa
ticn ght 10 take place nj once-and that the Govern
,nent after forty gears q! ruitess experiments ougtt
to the Constitution, and establish for ,sei! and
for tie Pile, sound and uniform currency. Should
the President recommend measures Of Ibis kind they
will coincide with my own views, and shall give him
nv cordial and hearty support
While an known through Virginia 10 hold these
opinions could those gentlemen you speak Of give
their votes for political oliice-the appointments 10
which, mainly Influenced by party considerations:
1t would not be inconsistent in them To take anY to
defeat the obnGxinus candidate But what would BE-
my situation, were to lend myself instrument in
ouch cause' Would not Justly forfeit the good OPT
nion of those iu with sentiment: And
would not fail 10 gain the appreciation of those who
used for their purposes? might obtain office, bat
would be 81 the sacrifice Of every thing which nakrs
office desirable | know Sir, that yon have not taken
this view of the subject and that ynnr delicate and
fued senshily would shoulder at the idea OF making
proposition. that mis- hit look like attempt poll
teal integrity But while believe such is not the in
ten,ion nf any one, is nevertheless Interpretation,
TINT might b. placed OH the transaction And shrink
from every thing which might be suspected 10 be
a compromise Of my independence and honesty a
public servant
have thus canddly explained you The chief motive
which induced to decline the proposition GGc under
saeh fauc,ing circumstances As 10 The Office itself it is
one to he desired for its emouments patronage n!lu
encc and the many convenierces afforded for improve.
ment-no slis hi consideration with of my 5ge and
disposition. And besides al my personal par,iali,ies
lead me prefer The promotion of MIR. Rives 10 that OF
any other man have known him iron, my childhood,
and have the highest opinion Of his honesty capacity
and fidelity. Bu, principle with me, is Paramonn, to all
personal or private considerations; aud these, have
crifced in the course have taken feel, at this
nent, clearer conscience and lighter heart, than
should have done had yielded TO The aaering socita.
tons BY which have been assailed
With assurances Of my esteem and gratitude for the
interest ycu have manifested in my behalf subscribe
myself, Yours, most respectfully.
HUGH A. GARLAND