The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-05-30
WASHINGTON CRY, May %, 1865.

AShINGTON SlE1f udy 1OOO
Messrs 4. A. Lou, ESQ, Phelps, Dodge, & Co.,
Hoyt Brothers, j. Schultz and Others.
GENTLEMEN: ] am in receipt of your very COM
plimentary note, dated New York, May ~, 1865,
wherein you request my acceptance OF a coach,
span of horses, harness, ETC., as token OF your
high appreciation of my public course.
While / fully appreciate the purity of your
motives in thus rendering such substantial
evidence of your regard and este I'm, 1 am COM
PEELED, solely from the convictions of duty have
ever held in reference to the acceptance OF pres-
ents by those occupying high official positions,
decline the offerings of kind and loved
friends
The retention OF the parchment conveying your
sentiments, and the autographs of those who were
pleased unite in this manifestation of regard,
favor should ask; and assure you, gentlemen,
l shall regard it one OF the highest marks of re-
spect from any portion of my fellow citizens.
Trusting that l shall continue to merit your
confidence and esteem IN the discharge of the
high and inn ortant duties upon which have Just
entered and with the best wishes Tor your health,
&c., individually.
1 am, gentlemen, yours truly,
ANDREW JOHNSON.
The moral worth and manly independence
of President johnson are betokened in this
act, and it is, besides, courteous rebuke of
a very bad custom which has grown into
high favor during the last four years. 1t is
an exemple set by the first officer of the gov
eminent which all other officers, military az
well as civil, would do wisely to heed and i'm
itats. We cordially endorse, upon this sub
iect, the remarks of the New York Times,
which says:
The practice of tcstifying to official value, by
making beneficiary of every public servant that
happens to change his post, UT gets promoted in
rank has come to be abused in a way which calls
for lust such practical comment as the presi-
dent has bestowed on it. The prime patrons of
the system, for many years, have been city cor
porations. Mutual admiration IN boards of alder
men and common councimen may have once ex-
listed q. a harmless and inexpensive sentiment
For many wears il has taken the form and SUBJ
stance of a profitable enterprise Other corpor-
atoms as we had recently very notable evidence
in New York, have not been slow to profit by the
example OF the greater corporate body. And
thus the practice has been in a measure popular
ized until every grade of official from railroad
brakesman to a city scavenger, has come TO have
about as fair chance-If he only lays himself
out-for becoming public beneficiary, as If he
commanded the gulf feet, had cleared the
Shenandoah OF Early's invading army.
The president has spoken the subject most
opportuuely and with great practical directness.
His example, moreover, we feel assured, will not
be thrown away. He accepts in kindly and cour-
teous terms the formal expression of confidence
and respect with which the donors in this in
stance accompanied their intended gifts He
asks that their address be left with him as a to-
ken of his appreciation thereof As to the rest
he takes the high and honorable ground that the
dignity Of his position ia better sustained by de-
Ginning public presents.