Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-10-11
The stralght-0uis-John Quincy adams Letter Of
Acceptance.

In his letter to W C. Moreau, Chairman
of the Committee of the Louisville Conven-
ton, to notify him of his nomination for
Vlce-President, Mr.. John Quincy Adams
says
I have already indicated BY telegraph my
cheerful acceptance 70 the position, If 1t
should be considered that my name in any
way will promote the candidacy Of Mr.
O'Conor. But to avoid misunderstanding,
let me state frankly my reasons for doing 50.
! was of those who hoped that genuine and
homogeneous movement in the direction of a
radical reform in the administration Of the
general government, and n return TO the
simplicity of function and strickly circum
scribed activity to which the Constitution
seems to me to restrict the Federal Govern
ment. might have been concerted between
large part of the Democratic party and a
considerable body of Republicans who We're
known to be dissatisfied and alarmed by the
course of the Administration There were
several distinguished statesmen in that class
who had debated with decency and differed
with Us in respect TO measures rather than
fundamental and essential principle whom
any honest and consistent Democrat could
have followed naturally and cordially in
such a path-men of tried ana admitted tit
ness for the duty.
But instead of such man. 4 candidate
was selected whom no one had ever deemed
peculiarly fitted for the presidency; whom
many thought curiou>ly unfit for it, and
man. moreover. whose iavOrite style Of con
troyery, as well as his cherished principles
of government. rendered it almost imp0ssi-
bic for any democrat 70 support with self
respect. and whom No Thoughtful democrat
can vote for withoat an apparent abandon
ment Of the elementary and essential prin-
cipleS of his political faith. For either the
democratic party believes. first and last and
always, that the least possible interference
by the government with the free action of
the people, which Is consistent with PR
serving order and dispensing Justice, is the
crOwning meritof such a system as we have
adopted in America, or that party has be
come a mere Ofiice-Seeking machine. But
the candidate adopted at Baltimore l. of all
men in the United Stares the one who most
vehemcutly believes and declares that this
doctrine i Of all political heresieS the most
heinoG~; that it is held only BY wicked men;
and that the true sphere OF government, on
the contrary. Is o. try to make money for
the people The results of this choice
We're at once apparent. The di~integratiOn
Of the Republican party ceased. Thousands
of men who were watching to see whether
something clearly preferable to the existing
state of things would be offered them, re
turned to their old places, prelerring rather
TO bear the ills they had than L. tly to others
that they knew not Of. Especially was this
the case with all men engaged in trade or
business, who dreaded the well known iinan-
cial yagaries Of Mr.. Greeley. 4 few leaders
too far committed To draw back. came over.
but their followers remained behind Even
his " wards turned a deaf ear % Mr. sum
ner's plaintive appeal
In fact the sound common sens. of the
people haG speedily appreciated the grotesque
incongruity and hypocrisy Of such an as
founding confederation. and detected the
politician plotting behind the cloak of
popular revolution. The Cincinnati move
ment stopped NJ Cincinnati lt only re-
mained for its real friends and sincere pro-
m0ters To see To it that the impulse ii re-
/ form, though checked, should not be utterly
/ turned aside and lost Ii IS possible To wait
and work and grow strong in four Years Of
opposition. but four Years Of President Gree
/ ley would destroy the cohesion. the energy
and the very life Of any real reform His
| letter 10 MIR. S-hurz upon civil
service reform must have satisfied
any candid man ON that head At
| this time. when 1t seemed to me that yalu-
/ able fundamental principles were lost sight
of and thrown aside in a futile scramble for
a delusive and dangerous triumph. the sug-
geStion Of Mr.. O'Conor for third eandi-
date seemed % offer a welcome refuge for
such As might wish to hold fast the demo
cratic faith until this hurry i over His
noble and piquant letter t. the convention
appeared To- NE to be of great value a. a re
statement of grand primary principles of
popular free government which must prove
of real uSe in stimulating suggesting and
shaping pahlic thought upon the great vital
question which must soon occupy the atten-
ton of the people. His wide and undisput-
Ell fame for ability. integrity and single
minded indifference TO official prelerment
pointed him cat. rather than any other
| man. a. the iitteSt to hold up the standard
around which those men of all parties. who
could not vote for incompetent and unit
candidates, might rally and steadfastly
| abide time more propiti0U~ for calm and
CONSTANT action.
BY such body of men, We're it hut a rem
n1nt only, steady. disintereSted and united
/ by vital and vigorous principle of action,
it would be possible To transmit the great
animating and impelling traditions Of an
earlier day, pure, and purged from the bas-
er incrustatiOn- which time had gathered
on them, to a fresh and powerful Organiza-
tinn which must necessarily soon relieve u-
Va NtAA tAu~h- ihE lii uliALcE NilL uidN no
the result of the approaching election, the
| speedy dissolution of the Baltimore ANAL
gamati0n l.. in either event. certain. The
elements Of dissenSiou within it are too ia
grant TO be Smothered long even in success;
/ the bond connection Is too irail 10 withstand
/ the shock of defeat for an instant Then a
new party under the old name may gather
| about the nucleus which You will have pre-
| served, and by an honest and faithful deyo-
ton both by precept and example to the
| plain and simple doctrines of genuine dem
ocratic policy, may in time conquer. legiti-
mately and fairly. their yindication and
adoption. have the honor to be, very re
| Spectlully,