Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-07-07
TNE PRESIDENCY.

Letter OF President Johnsou.
We give below the letter Of President john
sor, addressed to q number Of citizens of New
York, asking If he would allow his name to be
presented TO the New York invention as .
candidate for the Presidency:
CITY OF NEW YORK, June "a, 1s6H.-7o Hon.
Apdvtu johnson Sir: The undersigned, citi.
zens Of the city Of New York, having observed
w It'll satisfaction your administration of the
highest executive office OF the nation, aud be-
lieving that the patriotism, fidelity to the Con-
sntution, and fearlessness which have hitherto
IT. ark.d the performance of your official duties
a. the highest guarantees, as well as the essen
tial qualifications for the efficient and faithful
discharge of public Office for the public good,
do respectfully ask whether, if deemed desira.
Bile for the preser vation and unity of the Con-
allow your name to be- presented to the Demo
cratic Convention as candidate for the ONCE
of President OF the United Stasesf
s1rs, with high 9ars,,I rs;pIes, Ss,. n,rr.
VIM. II. Appleton, Henry Grinneld, N. A,
Baldwin, James Gallatin. Robert III. Beedell
J. W. Gerard, Jr., Francis Skiddy, Emil Saur.
REPLY OF THE PRESIDENT.
WAsHINToN, ID. c., July }, 1s6s.-GRNrLI-
MEN: To your friendly inquiry whether, ''if
deemed desirable for the preservation and unity
of the Conservative interest of the country
would permit my name TO be presented to the
Democratic Convention as a candidate for the
office Of President of the United States, I would
respectfully reply that am not ambitious Of
further service-I may say, indeed, Of further
endurance IN that elevated and responsible po-
sition, unless by a call so general and une-
quivocol that it wonld be an endorsement by
the people of my endea yors To defend the Con-
stitution and the reserved rights of the several
Commonwealths composing what was once in
tact the Federal Union. of such approval, in
the present temper Of parties, can, perhaps,
have no reasO sOnable expectation.
ALI history proves that men who in Official
position, oppose for any reason the cherished
schemes devised by factions to acquire power,
usually ind more determined assailants than
open and earnest defenders. Hence, in resist
ing measures which. although sustained by
Congress, honestly believed to be encroach-
made arduous and seemingly ungracious by
an opposition powerful, well organized, and
possessing controlling influence in the halls
of legislation unprecedented In the history of
the country. Compelled 10 devote my entire
time 20 the issues that have been forced upon
me and TO contend against a majority repre-
sented by two-thirds of each House Of Con-
gress, have been unable, while striving to
protect and maintain the liberties Of the people,
to check extravagant expenditures for objects
not contemplated by the Constitution, and to
tighten the burdens Of taxation which now rest
so oppressively upon the nation.
In the midst Of these embarrasments have
not been discouraged. When from the public
prints, or from some unus ually frank and cut
spoken friend, have heard that shave no
party" the suggestion has only served to re-
mInd me of q memorable remark. uttered
when faction ruled high in Rome, that "CiPsar
had party, and Pompey and Crassus each a
partv, but that the Common wealth had none"
Aiming only as the representative OF the peo-
pie, 10 stand by the rights Of the Common
wealth, may i not pertinently make the appli-
cation to my own case
Constrained, IN occupying my position as the
Federal Executive, to abide in silence wrongs
and enroachments OF the most insidions as well
as desperate character, or sometimes when in
capable Of arresting them, permitted only TO
employ futile protests; compelled, with only
the privilege Of remonstrance of the terrible
Alternative counter Tt vOlution. TO resist revo-
lutionary projects obliged to stand in the au-
tude of a mere spectator, whilst the in invaluable
time of the ration has been wasted in causeless
assaults upon myself and Office for the benefit
OF party, cannot complain II the people,
while witnessing the scene, have not beer able
to make my cause thoroughly their own-the
defence of the Constitution and laws their own
battIe.
Until. however, the peoples representatives
will recognize more plainly the imperative
needs OF the country, by ltgktensng the burdens
OF excessive an onorous taxation, and prevent
ing successive imposts upon the same article,
beginning with Its crude state, and following ii
through its several stages of manufacture to
iIs final use and costths people being thus
made to pay extortIonafely and ruinously
these ace umulated taxes; until the time appro-
prlated Ia Congress to PARTISAN schemes Is de-
voted more to legislating tor the peoples wants,
the nation will have to be content with the
mere delusive hope and promise of better times,
SINCE mere party politics will continue TO be
consi sidered Of greater moment than the study
and prac tice Of political economy and Ihe re-
duction OF tariffs, and the making of Presi-
dent OF more consequences than the diAinution
OF national Indebtedness and q return 70 sound
currency and specie payments.
Win the people, then, must rest the corrpc-
ton Of whatever is wrong in the respects in
dicated: and IL their public servants find them
careless Of their responsibi,ity-if the people
resentatives perform theirs, no Executive will
ever have power successfully to defend their
rights, and few Will care to incur the obloqoy
consequent upon the attempt.
1 am now, however, as have ever been. in
the hands of the people, and At their disposal.
My struggle for the Union and the integrity Of
the Government began long ago. Conscious OF
having honestly discharged my duty, and sat.
isfied that the contest in which 1 have been
compelled to engage will in the end, at least
indure to the benefit. and, indeed safety OF
constitutional liberty and human rights, can
we'll afford, I think, to look calmly on the pres.
ent, and await patiently the verdict Of the
future. Whilst know that the struggle for
the righ's of the people and for deterence TO
with the late paIpable failure to do violence TO
that great instrument and the Executive Office,
the worst that faction can for the present do
has been accomplished, would only, in con.
cluding this brief statement of my views and
feelings, express the hope that in the selection
by the Convention OF a candidate for the Pres.
idency, whose duty it will be, If elected, TO pre-
serve, protect, and defend the Constitution and
TO execute the laws made in purs nance Of its
provisions, the pubic good, and leading and
well defined principles will not Be sacrifcd to
the mere purpose Of party ascendency.
In conclusion, gentlemen, permit me to thank
you most earnestly for the kind expression of
your abiding confidence in me as public ser.
want, and 10 sssure you that the approval OF the
people Is all that is requisite to make me feel
that the efforts l have made to restore thu
Union ON the basis Of justice and conciIiation
have not been altogether In vain. Leaving my
cause and myself IN their hands, should the
continuance and The conclusion of the contest
TO vindicate and preserve constitutional gov
ernnent be coHfided by them 70 abler and moie
worthy hands, ! shall cordially acquissce, as
has been my habit. IN the decision OF the Amer.
lean people.
j have the honor to be, gentlemen,
Very respectfully, yours.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
To Messfs. +. W. Coggill James 4allatin,
Thomas Morrill,, Robert II. Berdeli, VIM. H.
Appleton, J. W. Gerard, Jr. Henry Griunell.
Francis Skiddy, N. A. Baldwin, Emil Sauer.
New York city.
Government Securities.