Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-01-28

was going down to Carson to work up
a big item.
Washington and the Thlrd.Term
Questioned Forgotten Letter
OF His en- the Subject.
Correspondence Springfield Republican,
WASHINGTON, January N.-The
Grant movement renders every scrap
of history that bears upon the third
term question peculiarly interesting
just now. Everybody is familiar with
the fact that Washington declined a
reelection toward the close of his
second administration, and the pas
Sages of his farewell address, which
bear upon this point, have been wide
ly quoted the last few weeks. But no
one seems to have recalled a 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 before
the Federalist party, which had elect
ed him, became greatly disorganized.
Before his term was halt gone a deep
seated opposition to him had grown up
within his own party, and a strong ele-
ment were outspoken against his hav
ing a second term. In this condition
of affairs, not a few F~ederalists
looked to Mount Vernon, and insisted
that Washington, as the only leader
who could unite their party, must
come forth from his retirement, and
accept another election to the Presi-
dency, Governor Jonathan Trum-
bull, of Connecticut, was n of the
most urgent in advising his policy, and
he spoke with especial power as one
of Washirgton's most trusted friends.
In June, 1899, Trumbull wrote Wash
ington a letter on the subject, in
which he presented the considerations
in favor Of this scheme as ably as he
knew how.
Washington's reply is especially in
teresting, not only from the subject
involved, but because it is one Of the
last communications on political sub
jects which he ever wrote. Oddly
enough, it does not appear in Sparks
elaborate biography, nor is it to be
found anywhere, SO far as / can learn,
except among other historical papers.
in the appendix to Professor Fisher
Life Of Benjamin Sllliman. The let
ter is dated at Mount Vernon, July
p, 1889, and, alter some Introductory
remarks, proceeds as follows:
1T would be matter of sore regret
to me if could believe that a serious
thought was turned to me as his (Mr.
Adams') successor, not only as it
respects my ardent wishes to pass
through the vale Of life in retirement.
undisturbed 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, al
though | have abundant cause to be
thankful for the good health with
which | am blessed, yet l am not
insensible to my declination in other
respects. 1t would be criminal
therefore, in me, although it
should be the.wish of my cOuntrymen,
and ! could be elected, to accept an
office under this conviction, which
another would discharge with more
ability; and this, too, at a time when |
am thoroughly convinced | should not
draw a single vote from the anti.
Federal side, and, Of course, should
stand upon no other grond than any
other Federal character we'll sup
ported; and when | should become a
mark for the shafts of envenomed
malice and the basest calumny to fire
at-when l should be charged not
only with irresolution, but with con.
cealed ambition, which waits only an
occasion to blaze out, and in short,
with dotage and imbecility. All this,
| grant, ought to be like dust IN the
balance, when put in competition with
a great public good, when the accom-
plishment otit 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 CON
tentiou; and that | could not obtain a
solitary vote from that parry; that any
other respectable Federal character
would receive the same sufrages that
l. should; that at my time Of
life (yerging toward ~threescore
and tenl l should expose myself, with
out rendering any essential service to
my country, or answering the end
contemplated, prudence on my part
must arrest any attempt of the we'll
meant but mistaken views of my
friends to introduce me again into the
chair Of government"
Washington's death a few months
later put an end to all talk of a third
term, but the tone Of this letter leave,
no room to doubt that he would il
any event have resisted all ATTEMPTS t