The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1881-03-25

M0WH tue &t<Nt ttN>k MNt(H your sui
lragcs conferred four years ago upon
another person. Il seems proper that
should address 10 you = few words Of
afIcctionatc warning. Ii has been Gus
tomary heretofore only for the great
Presidents. who were conscious of tho
love and ycnemtion u the people. TO
take leave Of their country ia this sol
emn form But. inasmuch Is I can
hardly DO ranked among the Presidents
Al all. and history will probably take
note 81 me only Is an intruder IN that
illustrious line do not feel myself
bound By those presidents.
My situation in the administration Of
this Office. 20 which was not elected.
has been one Of singular embarrass-
ment. had borne arms for my coun-
TRY. II not with distinction. at least with
moderate credit. My fellow-citizens Of
Ohio. deeming me an inofIensive sort Of
person. without sufficient force Of char
acter TO engender enemies, repeatedly
raised me. like wooden image. 10 the
place Of Governor-an Office in that
State Of 10 power and influence. But
was gratified with these apparent testi-
monials Of public favor. and, believing
chat no man Of real abilities could re-
ceive the nomination at Cincinnati.
was not surprised when the battle Of
the Titans ended il the choice Of the
p;gmy. And il was well 80. A stand
ard-bearer Of larger stature would have
been struck, perhaps fatally, BY many
missiles which passed harmless over my
head.
NY defeat was : cruel disappoint-
ment. and the very large majority OF
my opponent added greatly to the
weight Of the blow. But owe myself
the last communication the public will
ever receive from me, that had no
thought then Of resisting or reversing
the popular will. Had consulted only
the promptings Of my own heart 1
would have refused TO be party to the
memorable conspiracy which was inn
mediately formed to substitute the can
didatc rejected by the people for the
candidate whom they had elected So
was Of the design subsequently,
executed that I publicly acknowledged
my defeat in candid address from my
own doorstep. and l confess that was
profoundly shocked when saw Mr..
Chambers celebrated dispatch boldly
announcing my election hours after my
defeat mac oeen universally known ana
conceoea. but' - tne piot ueve'opeu'
ana only tne most agreeable features
were communicated 70 me, while the
dark details q crime and corruption
were carefully hidden. tne scruples
Wnicn soon came % regard - mere
personal weaknesses gradually melted
away ana nnal!y accepted the fruits
"a conspiracy ana forgery with c0mpia-
cency ana even pleasure:
VIII not recaii inc history q my m
uuction INTO once: ! wish. indeed, it
might pe erased from me memory q
men, ana would cneeExui!y return 20
ne conscience Iunu % re treasury pr
make over % my oeIrauoeo competitor,
~ mat naa been saved q nis iour
years salary, 4 that act could restore
, NJ e .ne stsse q innocence enjoyed
~n.e 9et tne harmless 0overnor q
Onao.
~ Pos,tion at'oi W. assumption "a
tne frss,dencv; ~ before ssio, wa one
81 peculiar oencacy ana uiincuity.
naa read attentiNeIy tne po"erIui letter
oi acceptance py tne great statesman
~ - LOUIS ana inasmuch
~ me people nau. ~ nrge majority
expressed their approval "a ~ contents,
anu Al. was ~ me occupation "a inc Of
nee 70 wmcn ~ au'nor na9 oecn elect
eu' conceived y 70 pe ny duty " enect
sone o. me reforms tnetem recon-
!hehaeu. bu. Iounu inJsen poweriess;
4 was not free agent Inc 0Ovcrn-