Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-07-24
GARFIELD.
His Letter OF Acceptance as IL
should BE.
From the New York Sun ]

To the Hon. George Frisbie Hoar and
others, Committee of the National Re
publican Convention-Gentle My
nomination by your convention at Chi
cago was unexpected. did not desire It;
had not even contemplated the pOssi-
bility 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 Cir
cumstances, risk its supremacy upon my
candidature. Alter the moment OF weak
ness in which | consented to allow my
name to 60 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.it it having been represented
to me that withdrawal at this time IS
impossible, have reluctantly decided to
accept nomination that was unsought
and uncoveted, and to enter into Il can
vass which my better judgment declares
to be hopeless. In accepting the nomi-
nation OF the republican party to be
president OF the United States, express
Iy dlsclaim responsible for the result,
ii unfavorable to that party.
Having candidly defined my position
In regard to the canvass, it becomes
proper Tor me to touch, with equal cam
dor, upon the leading issues tnat will
engage the attention OF the people dur
ing the next few months -
h In June, 1868, as is shown by the rec.
ord, and as is declared blythe report OF
the republican Investigating committee,
I received from Mr.. Oakes Ames a check
for $329, being a dividend on stock hold
by me in the Credit Mo bilier ot America.
In the confusion OF u trying moment Il
sWore that l 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 possible
ity OF doubt, requested MIR. Oakes
Ames to consider it a loan. now re-
spectfully ask the voters of the United
States to take that view of the transac-
ton, and let it 60 as loan. 97a . 81.
On the 18th day of July, 1S72-by an
interesting coincidence just eight years
ago today received from a firm OF
contractors interested in procuring an
appropriation by the committee OF which
l was chairman, check for $4,000.
When this transaction was Investigated,
five years later, by committee OF con-
gress, l swore that the $4,000 was not a
bribe, but fee. The fact that had
never rendered to this firm of contrac-
tors any service OF legal nature is one
which, in my opinion, 1t 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 s., 900 transac-
tion, and let it 60 as a fee.
In February and March, 1873, was
largely instrumental in effecting the pas
sage OF an appropriation OF about $2,-
00O, 900 for the back pay OF congressman.
considered the amount which thus came
into my hands welcome addition to my
slender income; but when found that
the measure was odious to the country,
and likely to affect the political future
| OF the congressman concerned IN 1t. i
| made haste to cover the entire sum into
the Treasury. was one of the first
half-dozen to refund. / now respectful
| ly ask the voters oil the United States to
| to take my view of that restoration OF
the peoples money, and let it go us a
virtuOus act.
There are no doubt other questions at,
fectlng my personal character which will
come before the country. Those which
l have specified seem TO me to be among
the most important. My earnest desire
IS that, whatever course political dis
cussion may take between now and No
vember, we may be spared campaign
OF calunny.
On the other hand, if culture and class.
ical attainmen:s are to have any weight
in the contest now opening-it, as has
been recently suggested in the speech
of distinguished Massachusetts sena.
tor, the schoolmaster is to be given a
hearlng-I promise that. like the blind
Tyrtaus at the terrible pass of Salamis,
inspiring the Athenian Old Guard by
combing out his long locks in the pres
ence OF the Egyptian hosts, shall be
found at the front of the republican col.
umn, carrying confidence to the hearts
OF voters by the GOODNESS with which. in
the hottest OF the fight. shall bring out
from time to time some OF the treasures
of cultivated mind. remain, gentle.
men, your fellow-citizen,
- JAMES A. GARFIELD.
Mentor. o.. July l2, 1880.