The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-07-12
Letter of President johnson.

We give below the letter addressed
by number of citizens of New York
to President Johnson, asking if he
would allow his name to be presented
to the New York Convention, as
candidate for the Presidency. The
letter OF the New Workers is as fol-
lows:
Cry OF New YORK, June "a.
To tie Hon. Andre,c johnson.
SIR: The undersigned, citizens of
the city of New York, having OBJ
served with satisfaction your admin
istration of the highest executive
Office of the nation, and believing
that the patriotism, fidelity to the
Constitution, and fearlessness which
have hitherto marked the perform
ance of your official duties, are the
highest guarantees, as we'll as the
essential qualifications, for the eff
cient and faithful discharge of a pub
lie Office for the public good, do
respectfully ask whether, if deemed
desirable for the preservation an
unity of the conservative interests of
this country, you will allow your
name to be presented to the Demo
cratic Convention, as candidate for
the Office of President of the United
States. Yours, with high respect,
f. w. CoGGILL, JAMES GALLATIN,
THos. MoRRELL, r. H. BEADE1L,
w. 81. APPLETON, j. w. GERARD,
HENRY GRINNELL, FRANCIS SKIDDY,
n. A. BALDWIN, EMIL SAUER.
President johnson replied as fol-
lows:
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 2.
GENTLEMEN: To your friendly in
quiry whether, ''if deemed desirable
for the preservation and unity of the
conservative interests of the coun-
try" I would permit ny name to be
presented to the Democratic Conyen-
tion rs candidate for the Office of
President of the United States, I
would respectfully reply, that T am
not ambitious of further seryice-I
may say, indeed, of further endur-
ance, in that elevated and RESPONSE
BILE position, unless by call so gene
raj and unequivocai: that it would be
an endorsement by the people of nv
endeavors to defend the Constitution
and the reserved rights of the several
commonwealth. composing what was
once in fact the Federal Union. OF
such approval, in the present temper
OF parties, L can, perhaps, have no
reasonable expectation.
All history proves that men who,
in official position, oppose for any
reason the cherished schemes devised
by factions to acquire power, usually
find more determined assailants, than
open and earnest defenders. Hence,
in resisting measures which, although
sustained by Congress, I honestly
believed to be entertainments upon
the Constitution, my task has been
made arduous and seemingly upgra-
cions by an opposition powerful,
we'll organized, and possessing a CON
trolling influence in the halls of
legislation unprecedented in the his
tory of the country. Compelled to
devote my entire time to the issues
that have been forced upon me, and
to contend against n majority repre-.
sented by two-thirds of each House
OF Congress. L have been unable,
while striving to protect and main
tam the liberties of the people, to
check extravagant expenditures for
OBJECTS not contemplated by the Con-
stltution, and to. Tighten the burdens
OF taxation which now rest so OPP
pressively upon the nation.
In the midstiof these embarrass-
ments, have not been DISCOURAGED.
Wien from the public prints, or from