The Portland daily press., 1881-11-10
JUDGE FoLGER.
Reception by His Friends and
Neighbors.
HIS LETTER TO GEN. GARFIELD De
CLINING TEE ATTORNEY
GENERALSHIP.

GENEVA. N. Y. Nov "a demonstration
in honor of Judge Foger, by the citizens of
Geneva was made this evening. The hall
was packed to its utmost, and many hundreds
were unable SO gain entrance. The stage was
filed with distinguished citizens and visitors.
An address of eongratulation was offered by
s, n. Verplanck, a Democrat and president OF
the Geneva National Bank,
Judge Folger. as he rose to reply, was greet
ed with perfect storm of applause. At the
beginning of his speech he said, my words
this evening are for you. do not stand here
to address the greater public. l came to talk
to you, in one sad breath to say hail and fare
we'll If any one is expecting the raising and
solving of deep problems of finance he will be
disappointed If any one expects grave dis
cussion of mighty affairs of state OF the evolv-
ing of principles that are to govern the future
of nv official action he will he disappointed"
After reviewing at length the history of his
own life and public career, the Judge paid
Garfield He then took up the statement that
Gen. Garfield, after his (Folger's) visit to Mem
tor, had found him unit for place in the
Cabinet, and to refute these ne proceeded to
return from Mentor, and the Presidents reply
thereto.
Mr.. Folger's letter, after speaking of the in
cidents of the meeting, says:
"Near the end of our meeting you did hon.
or me by plainly offering me the office of At
torney General Of the United States, coupling
it with the distinction that IN the happening
of a contingency you might ask me to take the
post of Secretary of the Treasury. You did
not say what that contingency is. Your words
to me were throughout SO noble and so frank
that if you had thought it proper that should
know what it is you would have named 1t
This thought checked me from asking what
it was. Itleft however grain OF uncertainty
in your proposition. felt the responsibility IN
which was placed to myself to my friends
f<,t ba rfx1 Of xUh
am member and have been trusted repre-
sentative. could not say yes to your PROPOSE
ton and did not feel willing without further
reflection to utter a final no. Since then the
matter has had the best thought have to give
with the aid of the Judgment of trusted
friends. I need not 60 over to reasons that
laid before you. They still affect me some OF
them as they did then. Besides them there is
one growing out of the proposition made. Ii 1
say go to it it holds me and my State to the
acceptance of the place of an officer OF the
government. In my judgement this would
not meet with the expectations OF the people
of the State of New York nor of the Republi-
can party expressed or entertained by the
foremost men in it. / do not feel at liberty to
make decision that would disappoint the
community to whom l owe so much OF graft
ude and duty.
Some of those things which passed be-
fore me while with you showed me what vast
and mighty burden of duty and responsibility
YOU were ABOUT To lake Ou. LOCI yU1 W 10
equal to it-a strong man armed for it. But
broad and sound and toughened as your
shoulders are there will be times
when it will be grateful to you to
have loyal, earnest, kindly arm to ease the
load little from CALLED spot. My intercourse
with you though short has started the germs
that could but grow if fostered by closer ac-
quaintance in the future into sincere, vigor-
Gus, affectionate, loyal devotion. 1t is with
reluctance them almost with sense Of high
opportunity spurred and of duty put behind
me, that feel compelled to answer your prop
osition in the negative"
The following is President Garield's reply:
MENTOR, Feb. %, 1881.
My Dear Sir:-Your favor of the 2lst inst.
came to-day seriously regret that you de-
cline the Attorney-G eneralship, but though
disappointed in my hope that you would accept
I shall remember, with satisfaction, your visit
here and the frankness and cordially OF your
conversation. Thanking you for the kind
terms of your letter,
am,
Very truly yours.
j. A. GARFIELD.