The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1867-07-12
Ihe Aanfofk 5tffsrsonian
LetterOfDeclinafiOn from
Samuel GALLOWAY.


Samuel Galloway.
DEAR SIR-After earnest and full
ldeliberation, my original purpose to
decline the nomination conferred up
on Inc by the Union Convention re-
mains unchanged. Will you be pleas
ed to communicate to the State Cen
trail Committee the fact Of my non ac
ceptance, SO that the vacancy may be
filed / avail myself OF this oppor-
tunity to make known TO all who may
he interested in the information, and
especially to those who have given
me their sincere support and conf
dence, some of the reasons which, in
tmy judgment, justify my present ac
ton: -a .a- a.laaHi .r. -
lst The nomination is unaccepta-
BILE, not merely that it was unsolicited,
and undesirable, but because ii was
made in opposition to explicit avOw-
ais and pledges that could not and
would not accept any other position
than the first On the titket. Ambi-
ton, in its normal condition, usually
assumes an upward direction, and
mine is not claimed to be exception
al. My aspirations did not embrace
the mental reservation that if L could
not rise to decided honor, that
would sink to e doubtful compliment.
Having acted in the capacity of See
retary of State and Superintendent
of Common Schools at the age of 80,
and member OF Congress at 43 now
entertaining at least the imagination
that my utterances, tolls and sacrifi-
ces within these last ten years of
fierce political conflict have been
equal TO those of any other Ohioan, Is
it not presumable by persons OF or
dinary taste and intelligence, that a
position where my capacities would
be in a state of suspended animation
for seven or eight months, in a pc
riod of two years, would not be
agreeable Z In accordance with ny
expressed feelings and purpose, the
Franklin county delegation [ whose
bearing on that occasion commands
my grateful remembrance promptly
withdrew my name when 1t WAS first
announced for the Lieutenant Coy
ernorship, and again, after a person
al interview with its Chairman, and
by my special instructions, it was
made known to the Convention that
would not consent TO accept that
position. My objections to accept
ing the honor were fully and freely
communicated to the Committee ap-
pointed by the Convention, to re-
port the fact of my nomination. and
notwithstanding the earnest appeals
of those sincere and enthusiastic
friends, my purpose remained un-
changed. 1t WAS not until my es-
teemed friend from Muskingum de
clared thst he would not carry back
my message of unconditional non
acceptance, that / consented to take
the subject under advisement, and
report To the State Central Commit
tee. My consultations, personally
and by correspondence, with my
judicious and unimpassionate frinds
since the Convention, have but
strengthened my convictions as to
the propriety of my action. May ]
not pertinently inquire Why was
not the withdrawal Of my name
treated with as kind and favorable
consideration by the Convention as
that OF other persons who were an
nounced and withdrawn as candidates
! in the same hour? And is there res
ting upon me any special obligations
to make sacrifice of self-respect, of
personal dignity and comfort, which
no other man similarly circumstan-
ced is prepared to make
2dly. | have neither the taste nor
mental qualities and habits adapted
to the functions of the presiding Off
Ger of the Ohio Senate. Distinguish
ed as the position is, it does not sui
my mercurial temperament. The most
elevated chair in deliberatiye assem-
bly,, without the privilege OF partiei-
pating in its proceedings, would be
! TO me but an honorable Imprisonment
3dly. 1t would be alike ineXpedi-
ent and unwise in me, in the present
condition OF my health and private
affairs, to engage in an excited and
protracted political canvass. 1t is
well known to my personal friends
that, for the cause specified, hesita-
ted, even until within few days of
the meeting OF the Convention as to
the propriety of having my name sub
mitted to the Convention. ] cOnclu-
ded, however, that for so important a
prize as the Executive Chair of the
State of Ohio, and the leadership in
a campaign involving principles very
dear to my heart i could bravely
meet the tolls of the severest strug
gle, and submit to a large pecuniary
sacrifice. It's not, however, proper,
nor am prepared to imperil life, as
sumo the responsibility of a deeply
important campaign, and sacrifice my
pecuniary interests and social and
domestic comfort for so unattractlve
Il
distinction and such UNIV elcome
duties as are connected with the posi-
ton to which l have been invited.
NV patriotism during the war could
and did accommodate itself to very
subordinate aud oppressive duties,
but it cannot expand to such enlarg-
ed proportions in this time of pescs.
AS nv intimate friends well know
who understand the full significance
of my plea of insufficient physical en-
ergy, for the duties of an active po-
litical campaign, that it would he
much wiser for me, in view of my fu-
ture comfort and usefulness, to ele-
vate rather than enlarge the burdens
of my cares aud employments-to
contract the sphere my activities,
and to court scenes of quiet and re-
creation, rather than those of noise
and excitement.
Notwithstanding my sincere con-
viction of the prOprieiy and necessi
| ty of my present action, it has been
painful to me 20 resist the importu-
mites OF ardent and enthusiastic
friends. They may be assured that
I entertain q profound aud grateful