The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-07-13
a Chins.s Alls.er,

gent nvocaons of the greatest statesmen in the land
They appealed to his patriotism in the strongest terms
They urged upon him. that as new and untred consti
tuition was going into operation was necessary for the
most distinguished in the country to launch the yes
sci into the deep They told him that the man who had
done much to lay the foundations OF the republic.
should assist in building up and that he could not in.
duge his love for retirement without running the risk of
njurng his own reputation He resisted for some time
all the appeals OF the greatest in the Union He
urged his love Of retrementhis strong objection to en-.
gagng in the turmois public life He refused
to commit himself TO any compliance with their Wishes
and any confidence is to be placed in the assurances Of
any man, Gen. Washington most anxousy desired put
aside the honor, though il rendered to him by the
unanimous votes oil the presidential electors His CORE
spondence at that period filled with the most fevent
and eloquent depreciation OF the change Of life which
such trust would produce We content ourselves with
extracting the following from Of his letters to Ben
jamin Lincoln" as far back as October 20, I7ss:
would willingly pass in silence that part Of your
which you mention the persons who are candidates
for the first offices in the executive, IL did the
onis sion might beiray of confidence. Mo.
ves of dellcacy have prevented me hitherto from
ing writing this subject, whenever could avoid il
with decency Imay, however, with great sincerity, and
believe without offending against modesy proprey say
to that most heartily wish The choice to which You
alude may fall upon and that II should,
myself the right OF making up my final decision
at the last moment when II can be brought into view
and when the expediency xpedlency OF refusal
be judicously determined than present Bat be
assured my dear sir, If from any nduceuent shall be
persuaded ultimately accept will not be (so far as
know my hearty from any Of private personal
tue. Every personal consideration conspires rivet
fI may the expression) retirement At my time Of
life. and under my nothing in this world
draw from il, unless it be conpicion that the
partially of my countymen had made my services abso
utey necessary joined Jear that refusal might in
duce belief that preferred the conservation Of my
reputation and private the good OF my country Alter
ALL IL should conceive myself in constrained
accept call Heaven Witness that this very would be
the greatest sacrifice of my personal feelings and Wishes
that have been called upon make. would be to
orego epose and domestic enjoyment for trouble perhaps
public oboquy for should consider myself entering
upon unexplored field, enyeoped every side with
clouds and darkness.
From this embarrassing situation had naturally supposed
that my declarations The close Of the would have
saved and that my sincere intentions, then publicly
made known, would have eectuay precuded forever
afterwards from being looked upon candidate for any
Office This hope, last anchor Of worldly happiness in
old age had still carefully preserved; until the public pa
pers private letters from my correspondents in almost
every quarter taught apprehend that might soon be
obliged the question, whether would 20 again
into public life or not.
His subsequent letters continued to breathe the same
spirit WiSneQ 10 ueClinc oI pfcSlucH-
cy. And yet here was whose whole correspond
shows him to be gifted with very superior mind
deeply mbued too, with the politics OF the country,
expressing the clearest and strongest views of every
question then the taps-bessed with active and
nquiring intellect, and inferior in industry 10 Of
the day.
Suat ,oas the earlier Washington And now comes the
second TO sare and astonsh the country with his mex
perence, his profound ignorance Of civil aas-bed up
to the camp where he had been confined for forty years
thoroughly inexperienced politician according to
his confessions and yet, instead Of declining the
honor such ought to have done in justice 10 his
reputation, if not TO his country, suffers himself to
yield the voice of Aattey. and to accept the highest
and most responsible Office in the world, without the
slightest qualifications for discharging its duties Such
The Second Washington! and wonder the rats have
got into the statue.
For the Union
"The Rats IN he StahsD
Hoen Kong asked his minister, Koan Tchong, "what
was the most to be feared in government" koan
Tchong answered: "n my mind, sir. nothing is 10
be dreaded than what they call the rat the staiue"
Hon Kong not understanding the aIlexorV. koan