The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-07-15
GARFIELD'R LETTER OF ACCEPT
ANCE.
As it Should Be.
| From the New York SUM-

From the New Hork Sun.
To The Hon. George Frtsbte Hodr and others, CON-
mtHee Of The National Republican COnvsntion;
GENTLEMEN: Ny nomination by your Conven-
ton at Chicago was unexpected. did not desire
IT. had not even contemplated the possibility o.
its being made. A very distinct recollection Of
| events In my own public career left no room in
my mind for the supposition that the political
party with which am acting could, under the
circumstances, risk It's supremacy upon my can.
didature. After a moment Of weakness In which
l consented to allow my name to go before the
delegates my first impulse was to withdraw. That
impulse has recurred with augmented strength at
various times during the past five weeks 1t is
still strong within me. Nevertheless, 1t having
been represented to me that withdrawal at this
time is impossible l have reluctantly decided to
accept the nomination that was unsought and
uncoveted, and to enter into a canvass which my
better judgment declares to be hopeless. In &C.
cepting the nomination Of the Republican party
70 be President Of the United States expressly
disclaim responsibility for the result II unfavor
able TO the party.
Having candidly defined my position in regard
to the canvass, 1t becomes proper for me to touch
with equal candor, upon the leading issues that
will engage the attention Of the people during
the next few months.
In June, 1868 as is shown by the record and as
Is declared by the report Of the Republican in.
Vestlgatng committee, known as the Poland
Committee, received from 0akes Ames q check
for three hundred and twenty.ni dollars, being
dividend on stock held by me in the Credit Mo.
biller Of America. In the confusion OF a trying
moment / swore that l had never owned such
stock and never received such dividend. When
II was. SHOWN that the money in question had
been paid me, beyond the possibility OF doubt,
requested Mr.. Oakes Ames TO consider II loan.
now respectfully ask the voters OF The United
States to take that view Of the transaction, and let
1t go as loan.
oa the 10Th Of July, 1S72-by an interesting co.
incidence Just eight years ago to.dRy-I received
from firm Of contractors Interested in procur.
ing an appropriation by the committee OF which
was chairman, check for s5000 When this
transaction was investigated, five years later, by
q committee Of Congress, sWore that the S. 900
was not bEibe, but fee. The fact that had
never rendered to this firm Of contractors any ser.
vices Of legal nature is one witch, In my opin.
ion, II s neither just not generous TO bring up sf
ter this lapse Of time. / therefore respectfully
request the voters Of the United States to adopt
my view Of the five thousand dollar transaction
and let II go as fee.
In February and March, 1873, was largely In.
strumental In effecting the passage Of an appro.
priation OF about 100000 for the back pay Of
Congressman. ! considered the amount which
thus came into my hands a welcome addition to
my slender income; but when l found that the
measure Was odious to the country, and likely 10
affect the political future of the Congressmen
concerned In II, made haste to cover the entire
sum into the Treasury. was one OF the first half
dozen to refund. now respectfully asli the vot
ers OF the United States to take my view Of that
restoration of the peoples money, and let 1t go as
virtuOus act.
There are no doubt other questions affecting my
personal character which will come before the
country those which have specified seem to me
10 pc among the most important My earnest de.
sire u lhat whatever course political discussion
may take between now and November, we may
be spared q campaign Of calumny.
On the other hand, II culture and classical at
tainments are to have any weight In the contest
now opening-if, as has been recently suggested
In the speech OF distinguished Massachusetts,
Senator, the schoolmaster is to have hearlng-I
can promise that, like the blind Tyrtaus at the |
terrible pass Of salamls inspiring the Athenian |
Old Guard BY comblng out his long locks In the |
presence Of the Egyptian hosts shall be found |
at the mont OF the Republican column, carrying |