The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-05-27
Senator Gordon Reslgus.
atlanta Contribution.

The following official communication
from General John B. Gordon came 10
the Executive Office like bolt out of
the blue. It's coming had not been her
aided even by rumors, and all to whom
the news first found its way were incred-
ul0us, and only became believers in its
genuineness when there was no longer
room for doubt. We give in full
General Gordon's Resignation.
UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER, /
WAsHINGToN. d. G. May is, 1880. !
TO His Ercellency, Governor Il. III. Col-
| quit, atlanta, Ga.
SIR hereby tender to you my resig-
nation esSUnited States Senator from
Geos9ia: :.
In taking this step am simply carry
ing out a long cherished desire to retire
from public life. ! have hitherto subor-
dinated that desire to q sense Of duty and
TO my reluctance to leave the service Of o
noble and generous people, who have
honored me with the mJst exalted sta
tion and supported me in the discharge
Of its duties with ungwerying confidence.
Since April, 186l-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 conceived to
to be the welfare of the Southern people
and the best interests of the whole c0nn-
try. And now that the restoration of
Louisiana and South Carolina TO the
rights of fself-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.
| 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,
trust, serve the country with greater
ability than myself; but who, am sure
will not do 80 with greater devotion or
pnrer motives. / am most respectfully
your obedient servant,
J. B. GonDoN.
Immediately upon the receipt of the
foregoing letter, Governor Colquitt sent
the following dispatch, hoping to pro-
cure Its withdrawal:
Governor CoIquitt 20 Gen. Gordon.
May 1s, 1880.
Gen. John B. Gordon, Washington, ID. c:
In behalf of the people of Georgia, I
beg that you recall your resignation. IF
you can not do so Internationally, with
hold 1t, at least, until the meeting of the
General Assembly.
ALFRED II. CoLoUITr.
Gen. Gordon's Reply.
WAsH1NGToN, D. O., May 10, 1880.
Governor d. II. C5tquin:
In respouze. to your fattefing request
that withdraw my resignation, I beg to
say that, though anxious to obl;ge, I feel
constrained to decline.
JOHN B. GoRDoN.
Upon receipt Of this answer Gov. Col
quit wrote the following letter accepting
the resignation:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
ATLAETA, Ca, May 20, 1880. !
General John B. Gordon, Washington
City,: @
DEAR SrR.-It is with profound regret
that learn by our telegram of yesterday
that You adhere to your determination of
resigning your seat as Senator of Georgis.
While have no option but to accept it,
l feel very sure that the regret I express
is universal with tho people of this
State, who have cherished with an al
most unexempled pride and love the
reputation you have achieved in their
service
Your devotion to the interest and hon.
or Of the people of Georgia since you as.
sumed the obligation OF a Senator hc
only been equalled by the moderation
you display in surrendering trust
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 Of
repoae and moro care for your private IN
forests than have been allowed you in an
arduous official career, must be allowed
to. say that your withdrawal from the
public service will be felt as loss to the
Commonwealth you have 30 faithfully
and efficiently served. l,;,
lam confident I only utter the uni
versal feeling Of the people of Georgia
when I express the hope that you may
long be spared to tho country to whish
your patriotic devotion has 90 .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.
'r.i ALFRED ii. C0LQUITT