The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-09
Full Text of His Letter to the Presi-
dent and the Latter's Reply.
Lamar Gives Good Reasons for the
Delay of His Resignation.
He Appreciates the Delicacy Of His
Position and Acts Wisely.
High Compliment Paid Mr.. Glove
land, Who, In Turn, Speaks OF His
Counsellor in Terms of
Admiration and
Friendship.

WASHINGTON, Jan. S.--Secretary Lamar
yesterday rendered TO the President his
resignation as Secretary OF the Interior,
and IL was accepted by the President. The
formal resignation, IL is understood, will
not go into effect until noon Tuesday next,
in order to enable the secretary to close
1 mp some routine business. The following
Us copy Of the letter Of resignation and Of
4 the Presidents reply accepting the same;
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
"To The President"
"When, some months ago. you
invited me to accept the vacant
judgship in the supreme court, you ex-
pressed the wish that as the court was not
in session should postpone the resigna-
ton OF my present Office until the meeting
Of Congress allowed you TO send my nomi-
nation to the Senate, and there were GER
tain matters before the department inaugu-
rated by me which il was therefore desirable
that should close before leaving, as
would have been very reluctant to take
the place upon the bench until your nom
ination had been confirmed by the Sem
ate, cheerfully consented TO your request.
NV nomination has now been submitted TO
the Senate, and recognizing both their right
and duty TO subject its fitness TO the most
critical examination, would still wait in
my present position their decision. But
think avn warranted In surprising that the
final decision may be delayed some time.
As you have, at the same time, nominated
my successor in this department, and his
successor in the postoilice department, this
delay may 10 some extent at least, embar-
rass the administration OF the public bust
ness in the departments mentioned. To
avoid. such embarrassment, which is my
duty TO you and the country, and 10 leave
before the Senate, in its final judgment
upon my nomination, the sole question OF
my fitness for the position, disassociated
from any other nomination and unaffected
by any other considerations, ! now re-
specially ask you 10 accept my resigna-
ton rs Secretary OF the Interior, which
hereby tender. In terminating my rela-
tons 10 youas n member Of your official
family, ! desire 10 express my grateful
sense Of the obligation ] am under TO YOU
!. personally for the consideration and kind
ness which have always characterized your
treatment OF me, and for the generous con-
iidcncc and support which You have stead
lily given me in the trying administration
al this department.
Niiali NWhNN Nv Iihun Nb INV Ntti
associated with the honorable record YOU
will leave upon the page OF your country 4
history. Sincerely and respectfully,
81. q. @. LAMAR, Sec'y."
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
EXECUTIVE MANuoS,l
wAsniNOf0S, Jan. :, 1850.
my Dear Mr. lamar
"Whcn / determined TO nominate you
"a position upon the bench Of the
supreme court, the personal qualification
afforded by the tender 10 you Of No honor.
able and suitable a place, and the satisiac.
tory conviction that an important exccu.
tive duty would be performed well, led ma
almost 10 forget my action involved the
loss OF your conscientious and valuable aid
and service In Cabinet counscls, which foI
nearly three years | have ~ much enjoyed
and appreciated.
"Your note OF today forces me 20 con,
template this contingency with the mos
profound and sincere regret. But sine,
know that the separation YOU now insisl
upon arises from that conception Of publ,
duty which has always 10 entirely guided
your conduct In our official relation, ! an
constrained 10 accept the resignation you
SENDER. hoping that II only anticipates
your entrance upon the discharge Of higher
and more congenial functions than thos,
now rclinqushed.
"What | have thus far written scent
very formal indeed. | intended this, be
cause am sure that the clo~c coniidcnc,
and the relations Of positive affection
which have grown up between us need n,
expression or Interpretation. And yet
find It utterly impossible for me 10 hnisl
- this note without assuring you that thu
thinpa which have characterized Vouf con
duct and bearing in the position iron
which YOU now rciip-all your devotion
20 your country and your chief, your self
sacrificing care and solicitation for publ,
interests, all the benefit which your OIL
cial service have conferred upon your icl
low-countrymon, and all the affection an,
kindness No often exhibited toward ml
personality shall constantly rcmcmbc
with tenderness and gratitude. Your
very sincerely GRoyrR CLEVELAND"