The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-06-17


mnnication nom Samuel j. Tkien has been
given ~ Associated Press:
n ~ NEw YORK. June 10, 1884
To Daniel Manning, Chairman Democratic State
C0pamsttee If Neo York:
In my letter If June 1s, 1880, addressed 10 the
delegates from the State Of New York to the
Democratic National Convention l said: "Hav-
ing now borne faithfully my share Of labor and
care in the public service, and wearing the
marks of It's burdens, desire nothing so much
as an honorable discharge. wish TO lay down
] the honors and tolls of even quasi party lead
ershp and 70 ask the repOse Of private life. In
,renOuncing the denomination for the Presidency
/ DO 40 with no doubt in my mind as TO the vote
of the United States, but because ] believe il is
remuneration OF re election TO the Presidency.
To those who think my denomination and re.
election indispensable 10 an effectual vndication
sd the right Of the people 10 elect their rulers
violated in my person, have accorded as long
reserve OF my decision as possible, but l can
not overcome my repugnance TO enter new en-
Toll. ~ ~ " " ~ V
a. The dignity of the presidential office is
above merely personal ambition, but it creates
in ne no illusion. Its value is as a great power
for good to the country.
b" i said four years ago in accepting the nomi-
natit,n: Knowing as do, therefore, from fresh
experience how great the difference is between
gliding through an official routine and working
out the form and systems and policies 1t is i'm
possible FOR me TO contemplate what needs to be
dsne in the Federal administration without an
anxious sens of the difficulties of the undertake
Ing If summoned By The snffrages OF my coun-
| trymen TO attempt this work. l shall endeavor,
| with Gods help, to he the official instrument of
| their will
| Such a work of renovation after many years of
misrule such a reform of systems and policies to
which l would chcerfully have sacrificed all that
remains to me of health and life is now, fear,
beyond my strength My purpose to Withdraw
from further public service, and the grounds of
il, were at that time well known to you and 9th
crs; and when, at Cincinnati, though respecting
| my. wishes yourself, you communicated 10 me
an appeal from many valued friends to relinquish
| that purpose, l reiterated my determination I'M
! cOutiitiOnally.
In the four years which have since elapsed
| nothing has occurred to weaken that determine
ton, and everything TO strengthen the considera-
tons which induced my withdrawal from public
HE. TO all who have addressed me the sub
jcct, my intention has been frankly communca.
ted; several Of my most confidential friends un-
der the sanction Of their own names, have pub
licly stated my determination TO be irreversble.
That have occasion now TO consider the ques-
ton, is an event for which have no RESPONSE
hility.
The appeal made 10 me by the Democratic
masses, with apparent una 1imity, TO serve them
once more is entitled to Tie most deferential con-
sideration and would inspire 9 disposition to do
anything desired of me- if il were consistent with
my judgment of duty
l believe there is no fundamentally in human
society 80 potential in lis influence upon man
Kind Tor good or evil, as the governmental ma
chi1ery for administering justice and tor making
and executing laws. MOI all the eleemosynary
institutions of private benevoence to which phi
lanhropists may devote lives are 80 fruitful ir
dement's as the rescue and preservation OF thi!
machinery from the provisions that make II thu
instruments OF conspiracy fraud and crime
against the most sacred rights and interests o.
Il the people For fifty years as private citizen
never contemplating official career, | have de
( voted atAeAst as much thought and effort 10 tht
. duty0f influencing Alright the action of the gov
crnmental Institutions of nv country as to al
other objects. have never accepted official ser
, | vicr except tor brief period for special pur
. pCsc, and only when the occasion seemed to re
quirc from ME that sacrifice OF private prefer
cDccs Ia the public welfare. | undertook TIT
: administration of New York bccause II was sup
/, pssed that in that way only could the executive
power he arrayed on the sile of the reforms Il
] which, rs private citizen, | had given thre
: 4 years of my life. l accepted the nomination 10
the Presidency in 1873, because of the genera
+ ! conviction that my candidacy would best prcsen
! the issue of reform which The Democrats a ma
jOry Of the people, desired to have worked on
4
] + Stats Of New York believed that I hat
| I strength enough to rcnovatc the administration
! ! OF the government OF the United States, and a
! the close at my term TO hand over the gre"
trust TO successor faithful Ia The same policy.
@ Being anxious 10 seek the rcposc OF priva,
life, ncverthclt acted upon the idea thai ever,
I / power is a trust and involves a duty
| In reply to the address of the committee com
. municating my nomination, depicted the diff
cultics of the undertaking, and hkened my feel
'ingS IN engaging in it 10 those ola soldier enter
ing n battle, but | do not withhold the entir
:cOnsrcration OF my powers to the public service
{ ! Twenty years of continuous NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
: under demOraliZing influences, OF intestine wal
and ct bad finance, have infected the whole gOv
( ornamental system Of the United States with tn
canCerous growths Of false constructions and cor
4 Tupt practices. Powerful classes have acquired
. | pecuniary interests in official abuses, and TIN
. moral standards OF the people have been i'm
! paired. To redress these evils is work o
Il great difficulty and labor and cannot be accom-
: + plsbed without most energetic and efficient per
4 sonal action on the part of the Chief Executv
) i of the republic. The canvasses and administra
!, Il lion which ii is desired I should undertake
: would embrace period of nearly five years, no
! can admit my illusion as to their burdens
( Three years of experience in An endeavor to re
i form the municipal government OF the city .
q New York, and two years of experience in reno
|: sating The administration Of the State Of New
y /, York have made me familiar with the require
< mems OF such work
At the present time the considerations which
+ induced my action in 1880 have become impera
y tive. ! ought not to assume q task which hav
I BOT the physical strength to carry through. tt
! reform tho administration of the Federal Gov
q ernmeRt 70 realize my own DEAL and to fulfil
the just expectations OF the people, would in
sIT6eeti warrant, they could alone compensate
e lithe sacrifices which the undertaking would in
j i;Hove But in my condition of advancing years
4 aud declining strength feel no assurance of m
n liability to accomplish those objects | am. there
: acre. constrained u say. definitely, that canno
u f.mDw assume the labors OF an administration Of
= Aanvass. Undertaking. in no wise that best git
e .of heaven, the occasion and the power some
O Aimes bestowed upon mere individual to com
!. famDnicaic an impulse for good grateful beyon'
AL words TO my fellow-connirymen who woul'
: assigh such a bencfccut function To me, | an
), censdled by The reflection that neither the dem
e o;rattr party nor the republic for whose futur
that party is the best guarantee, is now or eve
= can be dependent upon any one man for thei
( Ffccetsful progress in the path of noble dcsti
| ny. Having given to their welfare whatever q
health and strength possessed, or could borrow
q Rom the future, and having reached the term o
ny capacity for such labors As their welfare nov
demands. I but submit TO the will Of God il