Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-25
FARRAGUrs AS MUGwUMPs.

q Latter Which May Become Historical.
From the Ee,o York E0enin0 Post.
In the turbulent interval between the
d Death of LncolD and the nomination Of
rant. both parties were eagerly casting
around for a presidential candidate of
overwhelming weight with the North.
Admiral Farragut. who in 1867 was in the
Mediterranean in command Of the Ameri-
,au SQUADRON, was then approached. The
following letter from Mrs. Farragut, new
er before published, was in reply to pri-
vale sounding. 1t was addressed to the
wife of a prominent politician, and does
infinite credit to the heart and head of the
writer. who, with her incOrruptibie
ioiced to see their political doctrine en-
bodied in the actual President OF the Uni
led States
'NlY DEAR MRS.: Upon my return
from Rome last night your kind letter was
placed in my hands, and l now give
it that prompt and candid reply it de-
mands.
ii have often fathomed the Admiraps
mind, and sometimes in very deep-sea
sOundings, as you may imagine from my
opportunities; but | have failed TO per-
ceiye In his nature a single bubble to in
dictate political aspiration Of any sort.
Zoo firm and self-reliant to tie himself to
any party, he would never give satisfac-
lion as a politician. Men and principles
have always governed his votes, and he
is too old now to learn ne s tricks Re-
publican as well as Democratic leaders
have impOrtuned MIN to allow his name
TO be presented as a presidential candi-
date, but he has always refused.
81 fear the day for our country has
passed away, as it has for Rome,
"'When none we're for party,
And all were for the state;
When The rich man helped The poor man,
And the poor man loved the great
Then spells were fairly pOrtiOned,
And lands were fairly sold,
The Romans lived like brothers
In the brave old days of Old
''It was only a few days ago when,
crossing the Tiber, he recalled these lines
of Macauiey, describing the state OF
things at the time HOratius made such q
gallant defense of the bridge there; and
now could he do this without signing, and
hoping that the present age, with such q
lesson as Rome now teaches US, and with
such additional powers as steam and cleo
tricty, NAV be too wise to allow our
glorious country to be ruined by party
spirit?
"NO man is watching with more in
tense interest than the Admiral the turn
affairs are taking at home; but it is en-
tirely without personal feelings, for he has
every assurance, not only from his own
government, but from other nations, that
his course in life has been approved.
Therefore his own ambition has been fully
satisfied and now for himself he has
nothing 10 wish for except the continued
affection of a country he has loved and
fought for, and is ready to fight for again
should his services be needed.
He desires me, my dear Mrs. -, to
thank yourself and Mr.. ----- for the COM
pliment you pay him of expressing the
wish to see him at the helm in such
stormy times; but l really think il he quit
his sphere. old Neptune would roar with
pain or laughter-I don't know which
dis friendsgtne Salamanders gwOuld Jump
INTO the mouth Of the fiery mountain OF
Fesuvius, which l now see from my cabin
window; and mermsids would serenade
him with funeral dirges.
"S9 much for the Admiral. And now
Tor myself, | will say that twenty years
ago, as an inexperienced woman, 1 might
have been an Eve to my husband in this
matter; but now, with better knowledge
Oh the world, turn my eyes from the
White House IN Washington, fearing its
engrossments and turmOils might not be
Jle Dath that leads to the eternal house
d God; that broad and ample road whose
Just Is gold and pavement stars
VIRGINIA l.. FARRAGUT."