The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-10-13
WILL NOT GO TO CONGRESS.

THE sERvITUDE OF oANDIDATURE-wAsHIN
TON BREEDER OF DIsCoNTENT-DECLINA-
TON OF GEORGE VI. sTEARNs.
Mr. George NJ. Stearns, who was to have
been nominated in the eleventh Massachu-
sets district by the democrats, to succeed
Dawes writes the following remarkable let
ter of declination: I believe that, unless /
interpose, shall be nominated for and
elected 10 the office of representative to
Congress from this district. Whether / am
right or wrong in this conviction is imma-
terial; but sincerely believe that am con-
fronted with the q estion, "Will 1 go to
CoDgress?" In the decision of this question
/ have found great difficulty. On the one
hand / have a strong desire TO go, and
an ambition TO strive for success or brave
failure on the national arena. / am as fully
open as any one can he to the grateful flat
terry of being chosen to fill such position of
power, honor and fame. ! also feel deeply
the imputation which, with great Justice
may be laid upon me, of weakness and un-
stable purpose, if, after permitting the use
of my name in connection with the nomi-
nation so long, Inow reconsider my consent.
know that i have.never exhibited much
constancy in bearing nominations or re-
tanning offices, anu that this retreat
will exhaust the patience of those
who desire to confer them upon me.
On the other hand, do not think I am
adapted TO office holding or carrying nomin-
atoms. The sense of obligation, under both
conditions, is irksOme. The superintendent
and overseership and regulation of self
constituted advisers is humiliating. L chafe
under the servitude of c2ndidature. The
appearance of office-seeking and over
weening anxiety to seize place and power
is intolerable. If / take the nomination,
l am in debt TO those who confer it.
They justly have the right to call on me
to devote much of my time and powers
to their service in the canvass. NV
time is so crowded with business engage
ments that can not answer their reasonable
demands without breach of promise to my
clients. Again, L have labored for % years
to establish business which would yield me
competence and ease in my later years. The
accomplishment of my aim is near i'll stead
lily persevere in the pursuit of my profession.
No one can tell how distant if fritter away
my opportunity. Still again and more than
all, / have a home blest with contentment
My happiness and that of nv family depend
on keeping it so. When 1 recall the many
instances of lives mutilated and blighted by
discomfort and restlessness engendered by
the destinations of the capital, / shrink from
the hazard. i dread its power of incapacita.
ting those who come within its charmed pre-
cincts for the quiet pleasures and the ordi-
nary enioyments and associations of life
/, therefore, with great reluctance, but
with well-weighed resolution decline to
be a candidate for the Office named.
have intruded this long statement of my
reason for this step that my friends may see
1 have duly weighed the matter, and that
they may not trouble themselves or me with
inquiries as 70 the causes of my action.
have written "the truth. the whole truth and
nothing but the truth" Permit me to
lengthen this letter line TO thank my num-
erous friends for their long enduring kind
ness, and to assure them that their friend
ship is most gratefully treasured.
GEORGE NJ. STEARNs.