The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-02-22
DICK JoHNsoN,s LETTER.


as great diversity of opinion among my
friends as to the course should adopt
some advising that under no circumstances,
should permit my name TO be used fol the
Vice Presidency-other advising that
should not submit my name To the decision
of National Convention, and the most mum
erous expressing 4 wish that | should ac
cept the nomination for the office of Vice
President, provided majority ofthe Dele
gates to the National Convention should
think properto select me as a candidate for
theVice Presidency, after prelerring another
for the Office of President.
In January, 1912, [ was nominated at
Frankfort Kentucky, for the Presidency, by
mass meeting, composed of the Democrat
ic citizens of the Legislature and citizens of
that State, subject TO the decision of the Ma
tional Convention. In January 1913, was
nominated for the same office by a State
democratic convention at Frankfort kestuc-
ky, composed of five hundred DELE sates,sub-
jet to the decision of National convention. !
was afterwards again nominated by a sub
sequent State democratic convention, COM
posed of more than five hundred delegates,
for the same, subject TO the same condition. |
Each of these nominations were unanimous. |
In January, 1913, the Democratic State Con
vention of Indiana called upon me, in COM
mon with others, to know if were willing to |
abide the decision of National Convention;
and, further, if would sustain the nomina-
tons of that convention for the offices OFF
sident and Vice President of the United !
States?
Ny answer to these interrogatories was
without equiVocation, which was that [
would support the nominees. | have no
reason to change that determination; but, on
the contrary, hare good reasons for being
confirmed inmy opinion as to the necessity
OF adherlng TO my resolution, to ensure the |
triumph of the democratic party. | intend
TO redeem my pledge faithfully, without re-
spect TO persons
Subject to the foregoing conditions, have
permitted my name to be placed before the
public, and the National Convention to be
held at Baltimore on the fourth Monday of
May next, for the Office Of President.
need not consume time in referring 10 my
nomination for the office OF President, by
friends ofother States than Kentucky. No
matter how fluerng these demonstrations of
public confidence, Gall of which are duly APP
pEeciated,) my asserting TO their wishes
was not predicated upon the consideration
that was nominated for the first office; my
assent TO their permission of the use of my
name would have been equally as sincere
and cordial for the office ofYice President.
lam now, as ever have been, identified
with the Democratic party. never expect to-
change that identity. The success of the
measures of that party are too dear to me TO
be leoparded By any selfish considerations
a. L
and expect nothing, at the hands of the Con
vention, that will in any manner inure or
hazard It's common cause. If the conyen-
tion, in their wisdom, should consider the
use of my name forthe first or second office,
or for neither, as advisable, my acquiesencel
is heartily given.
To such of my fellow-citz9ns as are nom
mating me for the office of the Vice Pres-
deney in advance ofthe meeting of the Bal
timore Convention, my thanks are due, aud
cheerfully given. Ii does not become me TO
condemn an honest difference of opinion
among my friends, or to take part in favor Of
the one side against the othe in their friendly
Efforts to procure my nomination for the of
fee of President or Vice President. And as
| could do nothing, consistent with my pot-
ical pledges, inthis respect without giving
dissatisfaction to some ofthenl, the Nation
Al Convention, where majority Will rule,
must dispose of me, and decide the conro-
yersy between them.
In the meantime, let every one be fully
persuaded in his own mind, and act accord
ingly; and no cause of complaint can exist
with any, or against any. wish, of course
to give no cause of offence, to my friends,
whether they prefer me for the first office or
the second, hope they will readily yield
up their preference 10 4 majority in the Ma
tional Convention. no matter how adverse to
their views or wishes. | shall pursue this
do likewise, in order to secure harmony and
the united efortsof the party. Irepeai, be
tween my friends my position is that of neu-
txality, until thSsconTention shall act and dis
pose of me; in the meantime | am in the
hands of the people. Should it be the pleas
ure of the Convention to nominate me for
the Office, shouiu accept the honor with
gratitude and reluctance. Ishould accept
of the second-with thanks and with pleasure,
and am willing to take my position among
the rank and file, if such be the pleasure of
the Convention without a murmur. Wher-
ever may be placed, | shall try an animate
my associates to do what | consider our du-
ty to our country; and, having thus discharg-
ed it, according to our conscience, we will
hope for victory.
R. NJ. JOHNSON.
January %, 1914.