Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-07-22
GARFIELD'S LETTER OF ACCEPT.
ANCE.
AS IT SHOULD BE.

To tie Hon. George Frisbie Hoar and others,
Committee Of the National Republican
Convention.
GENTLEMEN My nomination by your
convention at Chicago was unexpected.
| did not desire il; had not even con.
templated the possibility of 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 any circumstances,
risk its supremacy upon my candida
ture. After the moment of weakness
in which consented TO allow my name
to go before the delegates my first im.
pulse was to withdraw. That impulse
has recurred with augmented strength
at various times during the past five
weeks. II is still strong within me.
Nevertheless, il having been represent.
ed to me that withdrawal at this time
is impossible, have reluctantly de.
clded to accept nom nation that was
unsought and uncoveted, and TO enter
into canvass which my better judg.
ment declares TO be hopeless. In ac-
cepting the nomination of the Republi.
can party to be President of the United
States, expressly disclaim responsible.
ity for the result, If unfavorable TO that
party.
Having candidly defined my position
in regard to the canvass, il becomes
proper for me to touch, with equal can.
dor, upon the leading issues that will
engage the attention OF the people
during the next few months.
L., II. 1 a.
record, and As is declared by the report
of the Republican Investigating Com
mittee, known as the Poland Committee
/ received from Mr.. Oakes Ames a
check for three hundred and twenty.
nine dollars, being a dividend on stock
held by me in the Credit Mobilier OF
America. la the confusion Of a trying
moment ! swore that had never own.
ed such stock and never received such
dividend. When il was shown that the
money in question had been paid me,
beyond the possibility OF n doubt,
requested Mr. Oakes Ames to consider
it loan. | now respectfully ask the
voters of the United States TO take that
view OF the transaction, and let il 60 ss
loan.
On the 18th Of July, lS72-by an
interesting coincidence just eight years
| ago to day received from a firm of
contractors interested in procuring an
appropriation by the committee of
which was chairman, a check for S..
/ coo. When this transaction was invest.
| igated, five years later, by n committee
of Congress. swore that the 5000
was not bribe, but a fee. The fact
/ skai I ra-Inral sh.. ~
contractors any services OF a legal ma
ture is one which, in my opinion, it is
neither just nor generous to bring up
after all 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
| it go as a fee.
In February and March, 1873, | was
largely instrumental in effecting the
passage OF an appropriation of about
| $j,OO0,0O0 for the back pay Of Con.
gressmen. considered the amount
which thus came into my hands Q vel.
come addition to my slender income !;
but when | found that the measure was
odlous to the country, and likely to
effect the political future of the Cen.
gressmen concerned in it, | made haste
to cover the entire sum into the Treas.
ury. was one OF the first halfdozen
to refund. | now respectfully ask the
voters OF the United States 10 take nv
view Of that restoration Of the peoples
money, and let IL go as virtuous act.
There are no doubt other questions af.
fecting my personal character which will
come before the country those which
have specified seem to me % be among
the most important. My earnest de.
sire is that, whatever course political
discussion may take between nov and
November, we may be spared a cam.
paign of calumny.
On the other hand, if culture and
classical attainments are to have any
weight in the contest now opening-ii,
as has been recently suggested in the
speech of a distinguished Massachu.
setts Senator, the schoolmaster is to be
given hearing Il can promise that.
like the blind Tyrt@us at the terrible
pass of Salamis, inspiring the Athenian
Old Guard by combing out his long
locks in the presence of the Egyptian
hosts, shall be found at the front of
the Republican column, carrying conf.
dence to the hearts of voters by the
coolness with which, in the hottest of
the fight, | shall bring out from time 10
time some OF the treasures of . cult.
vated mind.
| remain, gentlemen, your fellow
citizen, JAMES A. GARFIELD.
MENTOR, o., July IL, 1880.