The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1880-02-10
George Washington's Defamation
springfield Republican,

Everybody is familiar with the fact
that Washington declined re-elec-
ton toward the close OF his second
administration, and the passages OF
his famous farewell address which
bear upon this point have been wide
ly quoted the last few weeks. But no
one seems to have recalled not less
interesting fact, which still further
emphasizes the contrast between
Washington and Grant in their treat
ment Of this issue. John Adams had
not been long in the presidency be-
fore The federallst party, which had
eleoted him, became greatly disorgan-
lied, and a strong element were out
spoken against his having second
term. In this condition OF affairs not
few federalists insisted that Wash
ington must accept another election
TO the presidency. Gov. jonathan
Trumbull, Of Connecticut, was one of
the most urgent in advising this pol
icy. In June, 1899, Trumbull wrote
Washington letter on the subject in
which he presented the considcra-
lions in favor of this scheme.
Washington's reply is one of the
LAST communications on political sub
jects which he ever wrote. Oddly
enough, it does not appear in Sparks
elaborate biography. The, letter is
dated at Mount Vernon, July q,
1893, and, after some introductory re-
marks, proceeds as followsl
1t would be matter of sore regret
to me IL could believe that serious
thought was turned toward me as his
(Mr. Adam's) successor, not only as
II respects my ardent wishes to pass
through the vale of life in retirement,
nndisturbed in the remnant of the
days have to sojourn here, unless
called upon to defend my country
(Which every citizen is bound to do),
but on public ground also; for,
although | have abundant cause 10 be
thankful for the good health with
which am blessed, yet am not in
sensible in my declinaiion in other
respects. 1t would be criminal,
therefore, in me, although il should
he The wish of my conntrymcn, and
could be elected, TO accent an Office
under this conviction, which another
would discharge with more ability,
and this, too, at time when am
thoroughly convinced should moi
draw single vote from the anti-fed- |
eral side, aud of course, should stand |
uponno other ground than any other
federal character well supported ;and
when l should become mark for the |
shafts of cnvenomed malice and tn e
basest caltmny to fire at; when
should be charged not only with ir-
resolution, but with concealed ambi-
tlon, which waits only an occasion to
blaze out-and, in short, with dotage
and iInbecility. All this, l grant,
ought 10 be like dust in the balance
when put in competition with a great
public good, when the accomplish.
ment of it is apparent. But, as no
problem is better defined in my mind
than that principle, not men, is now
and will be the object of contention.
and that could not obtain a solitary
vote from that party; that any other
respectable federal character would
receive tho same suf'rages that /
should that at my time of life (verg-
Ing toward three score aud ten) 1
should expose myself, without rend-
erlng any essential service to my
country or answering the end con.
lcmplated prudence Of my part must
arrest any attempt of the well-neanl,
but mistaken, views of my friends to |
Introduce me again into the chair OF
government. |,
Washington's death few months
later put an end TO all talk of third
Term, but the tone of this letter leaves
no room TO doubt that he would in .
any event have resisted all attempts{
10 make him again u candidate. The
'ather of his country did not onsider /
I above his dignity to frankly answer
HE letters of the people who ad. {
dressed him upon such a subject nor s
was he disposed to wait and see
he could be elected before {
declaring himself. A greater con. !
rast could hardly be imagiued than
nat between Washington's attitude
IN tho third term question year be. ,
ore the election of 1900 and that off /
irant on the same Issue eighty years 1
alter.