New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-30
MIR. Adams Letter.


We do not need to call attention to the
heightened, masculine letter of Mr.. Charles
Francis Adams, bat we may be parlOneG
for expressing our admiration of the eleva
ton OF character that shines through this,
as through every other public utterance oil
this eminent statesman The great prize
of the Presidency, which has unsettled &c
many of our first minds, does not move Mr.
Adams from his propriety. If the country
has confidence in him, and wants him, he
does not refuse to accept any responsibility
of which his fellOw-citizens deem him
worthy; but it is not in his nature to fawn
and crlnge, and solicit a nomination by any
concessions to the humor of the hour Mr..
Adams has just sense of the value Of
character; he prefers his selfrespect to the
highest office; while he is ready to obey the
call of his country, and discharge any duty
which the American people may Jay upon
him, the hope OF power cannot dazzle, nor
the seductions of a great office intoxicate
him. This glittering temptation, when held
out to Mr.. Adams, leaves him as it finds
him-the same cool, self-poised, robust,
thoroughly manly nature, that has always
had keener appreciation of the RESPONSE
bilites of official station than of its pride,
pOmp and circumstance" His truly ad-
mirable letter is the etusion of statesman
who scorns to weigh duty against advan-
pliances, and who desires no Office except
as free, unbought mark of trust in his
character. Even those who do not prefer
Mr.. Adams as a candidate for the Presi-
dency, must recognize the elevation and
moral robustness of the man.
The Chicago Tribune says editorially:
The letter of the Hon. Charles Francis
Adams to David A. Wells is refreshing
item in the political literature of the day.
In the first place, its hearty frankness at
tracts attention, and it's disclaimer of any
desire to be President, or to be a candidate,
will commend itself to the public by its un-
questions BILE sincerity. The spirit and tone
of Mr.. Adams letter are admirable, and
they take US back to the times when such a
thing asa man thrusting himself upon the
people as candidate, or capturing NOM
nation by the use of federal patronage,
would have been regarded as disgraceiul,
and as evidence that such person should not
be elected.
The original theory Of our government
was, that the people of each State were to
appoint, OF their own citizens, q prescribed
number of experienced men, who, when
selected, were to review the condition of the
country, its needs and its circumstances,
and to select for the offices of President and
Vice President such citizens as might appear
to them best qualified in every way for the
time and the occasion. The States were to
choose the electors, and the latter choose
the President. But times have changed.
The election of President has been virtually
taken away from the electors and the peO-
pie, and committed to certain bodies, un-
known to the c0rstitution, called party COZ
veptions.
Mr.. Adams, in his letter, ydisclaims all de-
sire for Q nomination or election. He dis
claims all pretensions to the Office. But if
the people, upon o review of the whole
field, shall select him for the office, then,
and not otherwise, will he concern himself
in the matter. The letter is the expression
OF man who. whether he be ever President
or not, has written by his acts an honorable
history as statesman, diplOmatist, patriot
and gentleman. In all these respects he
has no superiors, and but few equals among
those OF the present day who attempt, and
really do govern and control the destiny of
the republic. The election of such q man
to the Presidency would be return to the
old policy of electing men to that Office
fitted by experience, ability and integrity to
represent the intelligence and capacity Of q
republic Of 100000 Of freemen.
The New York Tribune says:
Mr.. Charles Francis Adams leaves behind
him letter concerning lis Presidential
80 frank, independent and manly
as greatly to strengthen the esteem in which
the public holds him. 1t is not the letter of
q politician, and it may not better Mr..
Adams chances for the Cincinnati nominal
ton, but it is worthy the son and the grand
son of Presidents whose service hOnOred
the republic in its better days.