The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-02
wAsHRerOS, D. c., May 10Th, 1886.


GENTLEMEN: | have the honor 10 acknowledge
the receipt Of your kind invitation to visit your no
BILE city, and participate with my friends in the social
interview OF the festal board. For this testimony OF
your continued Kindness please accept my unfeigned
thanks. My own private concerns at this moment
impose on me paramount obligation: deeply re-
greet that they forbid the indulgence Of my wishes 10
comply with your request; but | shall bear it IN
grateful remembrance If some future opportunity
may place 1t m my power, Of which can but cher
ish the fond hope. Having retired upon my farm
after long life Of public services am perfectly sat
ished to spend the remainder Of my days there.
consciousness of having never betrayed the trust
conhded TO me by my fellow-citizens, and grateful
recollection Of the favors from thsm, are subjects
which often revolye in my mind with great pleasure
the indulgence of which gives additional charms 70
retirement. Public life should be regarded by an
American rather a duty than an object OF desire
The present race will soon pass away, and most oi
the actors of this day will be forgotten; do de
sire that my name shall ever appear upon the page
Of the future historian unless it may be identified
with some patriotic deeds tending illustrate and
perpetuae the principles Of liberty and equality.
Our country is the best and happiest that ever K
sted Its future prospects most cheerful to the
mind of the phlanthropis It's strength is increasing
with unparalleled rapidity and its resources are
developing themselves equal to strongest wish.
es. IL Is an asylum for oppressed humanity from
he whole eastern world; and the humblest cottage
and loftlest mansion alike irradiated with the
charms Of freedom and the smiles Of content. To
enjoy its blessings, should be sufficient to satisfy
any citizen without INDUCING in restless aspirations
to public eminence. have enjoyed both. When
duty calls the tolls and dangers Of the field, and
the turmols and cares of State are not devoid OF
pleasures, while stimulated with a consciousness of
serving the country we love- but when our country 3
cause no longer needs aid, no station is so hap
py as that OF the private citizen. In it | enjoy
health and contentment | am well satisfied to re-
main in my present condition unless the wishes
and action Of my fellow-citizens should call me
from it.
AS to the value of my public services they must
be estimated by my friends and my country. They
have been cheerfully bestowed, and with an unde-
waiting view to the interests Of the American people
Is the duty of every citizen to devote his tme and
peril his fife for his country, when public danger
demands it; and the patriot will be richly remune-
rated, if happy to gain the appreciation of the
toling millions for whom he devotes his labor
This duty is increased when citizen has been pro-
NOTED by the sufrages of his fellow-citizens to Off
ccs of honor and confidence.
1t is true have passed through tolls and dangers
and have made some sacrifces-I have suffered pri-
vations and pains-I have labored to give pc rma-
hence to the republican simplicity of our free inst
utons, and to bear my part in transmitting them
unimpaired to posterity; and | am happy in the
knowledge that my country enjoys the benefit If
anything more were yet wanting, il would be fully
satisfied in the honor which feel in an association
of such patriotic citizens bearing my humble name
Your devoted friend and fellow.citizen,
Ri. M. JOHNSON.
To Messrs. Tuers, Osborn, Walters, Lewis, and
Miller ..