The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-05-27
Senator Gordon Resigns.
.iIt.utn Constitution.

The following official communication
from General John B. Gordon came to
the Executive office like bolt out OF
the blue. Its coming had no. been her
aided even by rumors, and oil to whom
the news first found its way were incred-
ulous, and only became believers III its
genuineness when there was no longer
room for doubt. We give in full
General Gordon's Resignation.
UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER, |
WASHINGTON, D. C. May Is, 1880. }
To Ills E.rceNency, Governor A. Fl. Col
quit. atlanta, Ga.
S1R-I hereby tender to you my reslg-
nation assUnited States Senator from
Georgia:
In taking this step am simply carry
ing out a long cherished desire to retire
from public life. l have hitherto subor.
dinated that desire to sense of duty and
to nv reluctance to leave the service of a
noble and generous people, who have
honored me with the most exalted sta
tion and supported me in the discharge
of its duties with answering confidence.
Since April, lS6l-for nearly twenty
years-my life has been one of incessant
anxiety and of great labor. For more
than one-half of that long period, either
in war or in public Office, my energies
have been devoted to what I conceived to
to be the welfare Of the Southern people
and the best interests of the whole conn-
trv. And now that the restoration OF
Louisiana and South Carolina to the
rights of ofself-government secures to the
entire South her full and rightful repre-
sentation in the legislative department of
the Federal Government, my most cher
ished object in politics has been attained,
1 am left free, therefore, to consult my
inclinations and the imperative interests
of my family, without the least detri'
ment to the public service. -
give way to some successor who will,
| I trust, serve the country with greater
ability than myself; but who, / am sure
| will not do 30 with greater devotion OF
purer motives. I am most respectfully
your obedient servant,
J. B. GORDON.
Immediately upon the receipt Of the
| foregoing letter, Governor Colqultt sent
| the following dispatch, hoping to pro-
cure its withdrawal:
Governor Colquitt to Gen. Gordon.
May lS, 1880.
| Gen. John B. Gordon, Washington, d. G
In behalf of the people of Georgia,
beg that you recall your resignation. II
you can not do so Internationally, with.
hold it, at tleast, until the meeting of the
General Assembly.
ALFRED II. CoLoU1TT.
Gen. Gordon's Reply.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 10, 1880.
Governor Il. Fl. Golqui1:
In response to your fattering request
| that I withdraw my resignation, 1 beg to
say that, though anxious to oblige, feel
constrained to decline.
JOHN B. GORDON.
Upon receipt of this answer Gov. Col
quit wrote the following letter accepting
the resignation:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, |
ATLANTA, Ga, May 20, 1880. !
General John B. Gordon, Washington
DEAR s1R.-It is with profound regret
| that learn by our telegram of yesterday
that you adhere to your determination o1
resigning your seat as Senator of Georgia
While have no option but to accept it,
I feel very sure thas the regret express
is universal with the people of this
State, who have cherished with an al
most unexampled pride and love the
reputation you have achieved in thell
service.
Your devotion to the interest and hon.
or of the people of Georgia since you as
sumed the obligation of Senator has
only been equalled by the moderation
you display in surrendering a trus!
which you have so nobly sustained, and
which promised for you such splendid
results and future usefulness. While
the Judgment of your fellow-citizens will
concede your claims to large share oi
repose and more care for your private in
terests than have been allowed you in an
arduous official career, I must be allowed
to say that your withdrawal from the
public service will be felt as a loss to the
Commonwealth you have 80 faithfully
and efficiently served.
am confident I only utter the uni
versal feeling of the people of Georgia
when express the hope that you may
long be spared to the country to which
your patriotic devotion has so endeared
you. Our earnest good wishes attend
you, and the wish that your future life
may be as prosperous and happy as the
past has been useful and honorable.
have the honor to be yours, truly.
ALFRED II. CoLQUITT.