Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-18

Mr.. JEFFERSON, when his second
term as President was approaching its
close and some of his warm personal
friends desired that he should again BET
candidate, addressed the following let
ter to the Legislatures Of Vermont.
New jersey and Pennsylvania, in which
he sets forth in clear and concise Ian
guage why he would not disregard
the precedent Of his illustrious prede-
cess0r by another election. just now
when this question is agitating the
public mind, his letter should be care
fully read and deeply pondered by
every citizen. 1t should be the one
bright guiding star TO his course in
The great struggle now approaching.
We hope our readers will give this
letter, herewith published, the most
profound consideration and medita-
tion
DEcEMBER 10, 1907.
To he Legislature Of Vermont
received in due season the address
Of the Legislature of Vermont, bearing
date the 9TH Of November, 1906, in
which, with their appreciation of the
general course of my administration,
they were so good as TO express their
desire that ! would consent to be pro-
posed again 10 the public voice on the
expiration Of my present term OF office.
Entertaining as ! do for the Iegisla.
ture Of Vermont those sentiments of
high respect which would have prompted
an immediate answer, ] was certain,
nevertheless, they would approve
delay which had for its object TO avoid
a premature agitation Of the public mind
on subject 50 interesting as the cleo
ton Of a Chief Magistrate.
That should lay down my charge at
a proper period is as much duty as To
have born it faithfully. If some terni-
nation TO the services OF the Chief Mag
istrate be not fixed by the Constitution.
or supplied by practice, his office.
nomlnally for years, will in fact become
for life; and history shows how easily
that deEenerates into an inheritance.
Believing that a representative govern.
ment responsible at short periods of
election Is that which produces the
greatest sum Of happiness to mankind.
/ feel II duty 10 do no act which shall
essentially impair that principle; and
| should unwillingly be the person who,
disregarding the sound precedent set
10y an illustrious predecessor, should
furnish the first example of prolonga-
tion beyond the second term OF office.
For the appreciation which the Lrgis-
latuTe of Vermont has been pleased To
express OF the principles and measures
pursued in the management of their
affairs, ] am sincerely thankful, and
should be 40 fortunate as TO carry into
retirement the equal appreciation and
good viii OF L'y fellow citizens generally,
1T will lie the comfort Of my future DAYS,
and will close a service OF forty years
with the only reward it ever wished.
Two days after the publication of
the foregoing letter, to wit, on the Dist
of December, 1907, he wrote to the
Appomattox Association Baptist
| thus:
Believing that definite period of re.
firing from this station will tend mater
tally to secure our elective form of gov
ernment, and sensible, too, of that
decline which advancing years brings
on, have felt it duty 10 withdraw at
the close of my present term of Office
and to strengthen 10y practice princi.
pie which | deem salutary. That others
may be found whose talents and integri.
ty render them proper deposits of the
public liberty and interests, and who
have made themselves known by their
eminent services, we can all affirm of
oar L E-n.~fa.tu.