Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-09
Letter from the Prssidont.


A number of citizens of New York,
on the Oath of June, addressed letter
to President Johnson, asking permission
that his name be presented to the Demo-
cratic Convention as a candidate for the
Presidency. Mr.. johnson replied as
follows:
WASHINGTON, D. c.. July 6. 1868.
GENTLEMEN To your friendly inquiry
whether, if deemed desirable for the
preservation and unity of the Conserva-
tive interests 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, would respectfully reply that ]
am not ambitious of further service; /
may say, indeed, of further endurance
in that elevated and responsible position
unless by call so general and unequiv-
ocal that it would be an Endorsement by
the people of my endeavors to defend
the Constitution aud the reserved rights
of the several commonwealths compos.
ing what was once in fact the Federal
Union. OF such approval in the pres
ent temper of parties, | 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 Gnd more deter
mined assaiants than open and earnest
defenders. Hence in resisting measures
which, although sustained by Congress,
/ honestly believed to be encroachments
upon the Constitution, my task has been
made arduous and seemingly incon-
gruous by an opposition powerful, well
organized and possessing a controlling
influence in the halls of legislation, un-
precedented in the history of the coun-
try. Compelled to devote my entire time
to the issues that have been forced upon
me, and to contend against a majority rep
resented by two thirds of each House of
Congress, have been unable while striv-
ing TO protect and maintain the liberties
of the people to check extravagant ex-
penditures 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 endorsements l have
not been discouraged. When from the
public prints, or from some unusually
frank aud outspoken friend, | have heard
that | have no party, the suggestion has
only served to remind me of memors'
BILE remark, uttered when faction ruled
high in Rome, that Caesar had a party,
and Pompey and Cassius each had
party, but that the Commonwealth had
one aim only as the representative of the
people to stand by the rights of the Com
monwealth. May | not make the appli-
cation to my own case2 Constrained in
occupying my position as the Federal
Executive to abide in silence wrongs
and encroachments of the most insidious
as we'll as desperate character, or some
times when incapable Of arresting them
permitted only to employ futile protests;
compelled, with only the privilege of re-
monstrance or the terrible alternative Of
unter-revolution, to resist revolution
ary projects; obliged to stand in the at.
titude of mere spectator whilst t1e in
valuable time of the nation has been
wasted in senseless assaults upon myself
and office for the benefit of a party. L
cannot complain of the people, who,
while witnessing, have not been able to
make my cause thoroughly their own.
The defense Of the Constitution and
laws must be their own battle until the
peoples representatives will recognize
more plainly the imperative needs Of the
country, by tightening the burden of ex-
cessive and onerous taxation, and pre-
venting excessiveimports upon the same
article, beginning with its crude state,
aud following it through the successive
stages Of manufacture to its final nse,
the people being tins made to pay ex-
toriionaiely and ruinously an accumu-
lated tax bill.
The time appropriated in Congress to
partisan schemes should be devoted more
to legislaiing for 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 considered Of greater
moment than the study aud practice Of
political economy; the reduction OF
tariffs, and making a President Of more
consequences than the diminutioB Of na-
tioual Indebtedness aud a return 10
sound currency aud specie payment
With the people there must rest the
correction Of whatever is wrong IN che
respect indicated, and II their public
servants fnd them careless Of their re-