The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-09-20
We are, with respect, your obedient servants,
VIM. REID, }seo,s
WAsHINeros, ID. c., Sept 2, 1874.

GENTLEMEN Your letter. forwarding the resolu-
tons adopted the 23d August by the Democratic
Association, claims and receives my most profound
Acknowledgements. The kind expressions employed
by the resolutions towards me- have been the more
acceptable from the fact that the citizens OF Nor
fix and Portsmouth were among the first to step for
ward and defend against the attacks of host of
assailants, SO also when all my personal interest
has ceased in connection with the approaching Pres
dental contest they tender the voluntary Offering
OF their confidence IN my motives and their approval
of the most that have done since | have occupied
this station Nor can | be Indifferent to the .act
that what may remain OF my life is destined 10 be
passed in their vicinity-ther good opinion, there
FORE of priceless value To me, and their "resou
tiGns" conveying to me that opinion, will be boarded
IN my memory as amongst the most precious recoi-
lections of my past life.
The voice of prophecy uttered by one of your fel
low-citizens whose exalted talents united with the
highest moral and political worth, has for his
name high dstincton) INDUCED, anterior to the
election of 1910 in predictions which were but too
near being realized. Anticipating the election Of
General Harrison and myself-the probable demise
Of General Harrison from his advanced age and my
succession as the Vice President-he drew, in the
fall of lS40, fearful picture to myself Of what
would be my situation the occurrence Of su IN cen
tiDgences. He spoke of violent assaults to be made
upon me, unless yielded my conscience-judgm
every thing into the hands Of the political mana
gers. He depicted fearful combinations which
would have to encounter and even anticipated my re-
sig aton, measure TO be forced upon me. How
these predictions being realized, the coun-
try has had fair opportunity TO know. Because
would not sanction measures, which to have sanction
ed with my known opinions concerning them, would
have covered me with disgrace, was loudly denounc
ed-my name rendered bye word OF reproach-he
harshest and foulest abuse upon by afiia-
ted press-and burning eigles made TO reflect their
light along the streets Of cities. All this was
accompa led by the resignation Of entire Cabinet
save single member, and but few hours allowed me,
under the Constitution, TO fill their vacancies Let it
be borne in mind that all vacancies occurring during
the session OF the Senate must be filled before its ad
journment, and cannot afterwardsthat Congress had
agreed to adjourn Monday at two O'Clock, z. M,
and that the last resignation Of five Cabinet officers
occurred at O'Clock, 2. NJ, the Saturday prece-
dingthe earliest having taken place only at half past
| twelve Of the same day. The almost entire
work of recognizing the Cabinet was thus 10
be accomplished BY " President without a
party" who, IL had been confidently asserted,
| could not procure the aid Of another Cabinet
in the administration of the Government, IN the short
| perioJ which remained OF the session of Congress-
Ii the highly moral seDsbltes of the five, could have
been satisfied by delay of their resignation until
Tuesday morDlDg-of two days only-a larger OPP
portunity would have been afforded me of perform
| ing the work Of making an almost eutre Cabinet,
which had required on the part of my predecessors
months TO adjust. The Veto Message had gone in
for some days; yet they did not resign earlier than
Saturday-thus leaving me the shortest possible time
within which to surround myself with new advisers
| To majority of the Cabinet, | had submitted to
solemn FORM the propriety of my announcing in
citation Of all connexion Of my name wi h the matter
of the succession, and they had advised unanimously
against il and yet Immediately thereafter, their re
signations followed, and my motives were publicly
assaed by some of these very advisers who thus
syaed themselves OF the fact, that there thai
time but a single pres with a limited circulation
through which their assaults could be repealed /
leave others TO canvass motives. state but facts
There be but little difficulty in drawing nierences
felt that high and solemn duty had devoved upon
me. My resignation would amount TO declaration
TO the world, that our system of Government had
failed, from the fact that the provision made for the
death of a President, was either so defective as to
merge all Executive powers in the legislative branch
| Of the Government, by making the succession the
mere instrument Of the will or, by forcing him to
give way before the embarTassments Of his position
devolye the government on another-the remoest
probability OF whose succession had not been looked
to by the pc pie during the elections, and who would
therefore, be more eere and inpotent 10 The exer-
else { an independent mind and judgment than q,
Vice President. considered tue path OF my duty
was clearly marked out before me, aud resolved 30
pur-ue it,
hive been reared in the vicinity Of Norfolk md
| Portsmouth. Many of their citizens have known me
! from early youth. They knoo--I fesl proud con.
scou- of the act-that dshonor could never at
,ech itself to my character or conduct They yndi-
cst.d me then, and now, by their resolu ZOOS they
avow publicly their opinions The termination of
my lsbors is near at hand-the experiment has been
| fairly made, and shall under Providence, leave the
Government to those who may come after me in ALI
its different departments, unimpaired in all its ener.
ges and upaltered in its letter to true import am
| content
/ pray you to make known these sentiments TO those
you represent, with assurances Of my high respect
| JOHN TYLER.
To Messrs. WIN. Reid and Oscar E Edwards, Sc