Louisiana capitolian., 1880-07-24

My. Sun.
To the Hon. George Frisbie, Hoar and Others,
Committee Of the National Republican Con.
vention
Gentlemen-My nomination by your
convention. at Chicago was unexpected.
l did not desire it; l had not even con-
templatcl 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 candidature.
After the moment of weakness in which
| consented to allow my name to go be-
fore the delegates, my first impulse was
to withdraw. That impulse has re-
cured with augmented strength at
various times during the past five weeks.
1t is still strong within me. Neverthe-
less, it having been represented to ne
that withdrawal at this time is impos-
sible, l have reluctantly decided to
accept nomination that was unsought
and uncoveted, and to enter into a can
vass which my better Judgment declares
to be hopeless. In accepting the NOM
ination of thes Republican party to be
President of the United States l express
ly disclaim responsibility for the result,
if unfavorable to that party.
Having candidly defined my position
in regard to the canvass, it becomes
proper for me to touch, with equal can
dor, upon the leading issues that will
engage the attention Of the people dur
ing the next few months
In June 1868, as is shown by the record
and as is declared by the report Of the
Republican investigating committee,
known as the Poland Committee, l re-
ceived from Mr.. Cakes Ames check for
$529, being a dividend on stock held by
me in the Credit Mobilier Of America.
In the confusion of a trying moment I
swore that had never owned such
stock and never received such dividend.
When it was shown that the money in
question had been paid me, beyond the
possibility of doubt, requested Mr..
Oakes Ames to consider it loan. Inow
respectfully ask the voters of the United
States to take this view of the transact
on, and let it go as a loan.
On the twelfth Of July, 1s72-an in
teresting coincidence just eight years
ago today received from a firm of
contractors, interested in procuring an
appropriation by the committee ofwhich
| was chairman, a check for $4,000.
When this transaction was investigated,
five yearslater, ,bya committee ofC Congress,
| swore that the $4,000 was not :, bribe,
but fee. The fact that l had never
rendered to this firm of contractors any
services of a legal nature 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 Ofthe $4,000 transaction, and let
it 90 as a fee.
In February and March, 1873. was
largely instrumental in ettecting the
passage Of an appropriation OF about
$4,000, 600 for the back pay Of Congress
men. Iconsider the amount which thus
came into my hands welcome addition
to my slender income but when found
that the measure was odous to the
country, and likely to affect the political
future of the Congressman concerned in
it, | made haste to cover the entire sum
into the Treasury. was one of the first
half dozen torefilnd. Inow respectfully
ask the voters of the United States to
take my view of that restoration of the
peoples money, and let it go as virtuous
act.
There are 10 doubt other questions
affecting my personal character which
will come before the country f; those
which have specified seem to me to be
among the most important. My earnest
desire is that, whatever course political
discussion may take between. now and
November, we may be spared Il campaign
Of calumny.
On the other hand. ifcuIturc aad classi-
cal attainments are to have any weight
in the contest now Opening-if, as has
been recently suggested in the speech of
a distinguished Massachusetts, Senator,
the schoolmaster is to be given hear
ing-I can promise that. like the blind
Tyrt;eus at the terrible pass Of Salamis,
inspiring the Athenian Old Guard by
combing out his long locks in the pres
cnce of the Egyptian hosts, | shall be