The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-10
HE WOULD NOR BE PLEDGED.
George Washington's Letter TO Ben Harri-
SON, the sSigner."


George Washington's Letter to Ben Harri-
son, the "signer.-
New York Times.
While President-elect Benjamin Harrison.
out in Indiana. is being urged upon all sides
TO make pledges of appointment TO polit-
ical position. 1t may be interesting 10 recall
the fact that his historic ancestor and
namesake, Benjamin Harrison. one of the
hrst families of Virginia. a signer of the
Declaration of Independence, member of
the Continental Congress. and three times
Goyernor OF Virginia, and by this token a
politician OF the politicians, was himself.
Just 100 years ago, an applicant for an APP
poiutment from President-elect George
Washington. 1t might be interesting to
the modern Benjamin Harrison to note that
peace and first in the hearts of his country
men, answered the office-seeking BENJAMIN
Harrison that he wonld go TO the char
under no pre-engagementso of any kind or
nature Whatsoever" In the epistle from
the hrst President TO the ancestor of the
incoming President there may also be found
some valuable precepts The letter is as
follows:
MOUNT VERNON, March o. 1882
To Benjamin Harrison:
Ny Dear Sir-My friendshin ia not in fhe least
iessened by the difference which has taken place
In our political sentiments, nor Is INV regard for
Sou diminished by the part you have acted.
mems MINDS are as variant their faces. and,
where the motives of their actions are pure, the
operation OF the former is no more TO he imputed
TO them as a crime than the appearance OF the
latter, for both, being the work of nature arc
alike unavoidable. Liberalits and charity, in
stead sde Oh elamor and misrepresentation (Which
latter only serves 10 foment the passions with
out enllghtening the understandings. ought 10
govern In an disputes about matters of inn,
in some of the leaders of the oppositon fhe i'm
partial world will decide
According to report. your individual endeavors
10 prevent lnfammatory measures from being
adopted rebound greatly to your credit The
reasons, my dear sir, why I have not written to
you fora long time are two: First, because I
FOUND IL an 1nsuppOrtable task TO answer the let
tiers which were written 10 me and at the same
ume 10 pay that attention 10 my private con-
Germs which they required, and there heing liStle
besides politics worthy of notice; secondiy. be-
cause did not incline TO appear as a partisan
In the interesting subject that has agitated the
was my sincere wish that the Constitution. which
has been submitted To the people might after a
ialr ana dlspasslonate investigation, stand
Iali, according 10 its merits or dement's. Be-
sides, found by disa .reeahle experience thai
almost all the sentiment extracted from one in
answer to private letters, or communicated To
me orally, by some means or other, found their
way into the public gazettes as we'll as some
other sentiments ascribed to me which never had
existence IN my imagination.
In touching upon the more delicate part Of
your letter, the communication of which fills me
frankness which is due to friendship and which
wish should be q characteristic feature i'm my
conduct through life. will therefore declare TO
minister the government (for heaven knows
that no event can be less desired by me- and that
no earthly consideration short of so general a
call, together with desire 10 reconcile contend
Ing parties as far in me lies. could again bring
me into public life), will go to the chair under
no pre-engagement of any kind or nature what
soever. But, when in 1t, will, TO the best of nv
judgment, discharge the duties of the Office with
that impartiality and zeal for the public good
which Ought never to suffer connections of blood
or friendship TO intermingle so as TO have the
least sway on decisions of public nature.
may err. Notwithstanding my most strenuous
efforts to execute the difficult trust with fidelity
and unexceptionably, but my errors shall be- OF
the head, not of the heart. For all recommeusla-
tons for appointments so far as they may de-
be had to the fitness of characters, the preten-
sons OF different candidates, and, so far as IL
proper to political considerations. These shall
be invariably my governing motives.
You will perceive then my dear sir. that can
not with propriety say anything more on thesub-
ject than that several applications have been
made TO me for the office Immediately in question
without having received any answer. [ wish
you had pursued the policy which the gentleman
who now occupies 1t has done-of obtaining tho
appointment from the executive of this State.
Although that gentleman was an officer vet he IL
quite unknown TO me, and therefore cannot
speak at all upon the ground of comparative
claims of personal merits. L conceive. however,
that it will be found no pleasant thing, possibly
very much the reverse, to displace one man
under these circumstances of actual occupancy
merely to make room for another, however con-
siderable his abilities orunimpeached his integri-
ty may appear TO the public eye.
am, sir, ETC., GEORGE WASHINGTON.