Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-06-29
Straightior ward, ,MauIy Letter from the
Yice-Prssldent, Written Ia Behalf
Of Failing aud Hopeless
Cane.
Hard Blows at the /" BIOOdy-Shirt -
Editors and POlticians-COndIti5R
and Progress Of the People
OF the South
The Third.Term-The Lbte Democratic
Victories and tn Republican Defeats
The FaH ElectlOns-Etc., Etc.

" llEou llb5 given lOG HuDlAGNLAoLl bAlO AOA-
lowing letter concerning his trip south,
his aspirations for the Presidency, and
his views on the need Of winning back
the so-cslled Liberal Republicans who
have deserted the Republican party:
NATICK, June o, 1879.
Recognizing, to the fullest extent, the
right of the press to review and criticise
the words and acts of public men,
claim the right, and believe it to be
sometimes the duty of those go criticised
10 vindicate those words and acts. Act
ing upon these convictions, l propose to
notice some adverse criticisms that have
recently appeared in few Republican
presses.
Eight years ago there was printed at
the capital a journal which assumed to
be the organ OF Andrew johnson and
the exponent Of his "policy." That
Journal still lives, and seems to be huge.
ly gratilied with the imputed reputation
Of being the organ Of the present ad-
ninistT8tiOn. Recently returned from
q short journey in few OF the States
south and west, ! find myself and trip
TO have been the innocent cause Of eX'
treme sOlicltude to the conductors Ol
this assumed organ and to those who in
spire il, IL there be any, OF which en-
tertain more than doubt. But all such
eOlicitude, l assure them, ls uncRlled
for. That little journey OF mine
was but the carrying out OF
advice 10 take few weeks OF
rest before l commenced upon the task
| had marked out for the summer and
autumn. Kindly welcomed by the pe0-
pie OF both races-by Democrats, Con-
I yyS-ffcI
colleges, schools, and marts Of varied in
dustries. Being welcomed by people
and presses OF every shade Of opinion, |
said nothing in the twenty-nine brief
addresses l made Of public affairs or OF
party politics. spoke OF law, order,
peace; OF industry, material develop
ment, education, temperance OF justice
to black men, and of a generous policy
TO white men. l visited the graves OF
jackson and Clay, OF Taylor and Polk,
of Crittenden, Bell and Benton. l Wis
tied. too, a dying ex-Vics-President, and
chatted moment with Mrs. Jefferson
Davis in the streets of Memphis. Never
did make a more innocent or agreeable
Journey than was crowded into those six
weeks. But find on my return that
this is very significant" !" These vel
CLUlt6 lIDLll dAlf MlNhOuL Nl0tlAAOAAOl vi
race or color; these brief speeches; this
visit to the couch OF dying man; that
little talk with the wife OF the President
of the late COnfederscy, were full OF
meaning. The wandering Vice-PTesi-
dentu was "tOo unanimous he was the
"victim Of Presidential aspirations, "
aud he must be rebJIk keu as other gentle
men susnacteI OF like desires had been.
To oil this l reply that L indulge with
thousands of my countrymen the idea
that the Presidency is a lofty and re-
spOnsible position; that to be elected to
that high office, and clothed with its
vast powers for good by forty millions, is
an honor by the side OF which uncount-
e 1 wealth must weigh as nothing. But,
Notwithstanding this high estimate,
assure the organ and ali others alike eX-
ercised that there is not one being in all
this broad land to whom / have ever
written, spoken, or even limited that /
desired, hope, expected, or intended to
be candidate. 1 assure them, too, that
l have been so neglectful, not to say dis
courteous, as not to reply to letters writ
ten me upon subject these imaginative
ones deem me SO interested in. 1t may
soOthe their anxiety further II assure
them that / have neither money, nor
patronage, nor an organ; that l never
made a promise, in political life OF
thirty-five years, to give office or pa
tronage to persons or presses for votes OF
influence, and that / never intend TO do
so. No money! no patronage! no Or
gan! Surely this pitiaOle condition
should console and reassure, il it does
not placate, these distressed gentlemen,
who see such mighty influences in
money, patronage, and organs, and pro-
tect me from their iealOusies and their
suspicious.
But there is another Offense, hardly
less heinous. On the morning Of my re-
turn to New York | was visited by re-
porter of q morning paper, who pro-
pounded several questions concerning
my visit and the condition Of public and
party affairs. Those questions l an.
sweTed frankly IS l would have done
for any other paper, and these answers
were published without any revision OF
mine. They were intended to reach
aud influence, il possible, those Repub-
lic2ns who supported Mr.. Greeley, and
the tens of thousands of Republicans
who aided last year by their votes, or by
not voting at ali, in losing twO-thirds OF
the States we had carried in 1872, and in
converting a Republican msjOrity OF
three quarters OF 8 million to minority
Of half 3 million. They who do not see
that these Republicans Of 1872 and those
now deeply dissatisfied, but who are still
proud of the record the party has made,
hold in their hands the fate Of the next
Presidential election, little comprehend
the condition Of public affairs and OF
what il necessary TO SUCCESS,
a journal that does not see the wis
dom OF trying TO influence dissatisfied
Republicans, says that New York pa
per has said sundTy unkind things OF
me, and il taunts me with being "the
most forgiving Of men," and declares
that my action may be excellent
christianity" but it is not "self-respecr
or "manliness." came to the cOnclu-
sion years ago that life is too short to be
spent in Tevenging mere personal
wrongs, and / have been for q long
while fOrgiviDg men and presses that
have said unkiRd, unjust, or unJruthful
things Of me. 1 expect to forgive those
who are so foolish as to say untruthful
things Of me now. TGey need forgive.
ness, aud if / can act in the spirit OF
excellent Christianity ! can afford to
let my "seltTsspect" and nay "msnli-
ness" take care Of the mselves.
am accused, 100, Of not treating the
President with becoming respect.
Where? When? How? l am surely
unconscious of any such purpose.
have seldom obtruded my opinions
upon the President; and whenever ]
have made suggestions it has been be-
cause / reIigiously believed thst what
deferentislly suggested would be for the
credit Of his administration, the success
OF the party and the good Of the nation,
My opposition TO the IhiTd-term folly
has been construed, too, into opposition
70 the President. But nothing is more
untrue. When | saw that issue raised
and pressed with such disastrous effect
upon the party, by the adrOit represent.
ations of their enemies, took early oo'
casiOn to say 10 UiIid friends that there
was no real danger; that it ESg contrary
10 the settled convictions and traditions
Of the people, and that they would elect
no man President for 8 tLird term.
was actuRted by no hostility 70 the
PresiGent, nor by favor to any one de-
sirOus Of being his successor. deemed
the proposition, by VhOmsOeveT favored
quite IS fatal TO the Republican party a.
would have been sProPosition to amend