Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-23

would prepare the letter. In revolving
this subject myself my Judgment hss al
WAYS been embarrassed On the one
| hard previous declaration TO retire not
only carries with il the appearance OF
vanity and self-importanee, but It may be
construed into n manmuyre 20 be invited to
remain. And on the other hand. to say
nothing. implies consent; or at any rate
would leave the matter in doubt and to de
cline afterwards might be deemed US bad
and uncandid.
| would fain carry my request TO You
farther than IL asked above. although am
aensible that your compliance with It must
ndd 10 vour trouble: but rs the recess may
q Gord YOU leisure, and fattcr myself You
hive q disposition 10 oblge me, VIII
without apology desire OF tho measure IN
its elf should strike YOU as proper and
EkAlv TO produce public good or private
honor that YOU would turn your thoughts
TO a valcdictory address from me to the
uubljc. expressing in plain and modest
terms that having been honored with the
presidential char, and to the best OF my
abilities contributed to the organization
and administration OF the Cor erhinent {;
that having arrived at the pel3od OF ne
when the private walks of Il inthc shade OF
retirement become necessary M VIII ne
most pleasing 10 me and the sp,-t OF the
Government may render ~ rotaton IN the
elective Offices Of il more cOngena Win
IL err ideas Of liberty and safety, that
take my leave Of them rs puDic man :;
and in bidding them adicu (retGlnlng no
other concern than such as Will arise from
fcrveut wishes for the prosperity OF my
countrv) | take the liberty at my departure
from civil. as ] formerly did at my mill tary
exit TO invoke continuation OF the b!css-
lurs OF Providence upon II, end upon al
those who are the supporters OF its interests
and the promoters of harmony, Oruer, ana
good government.
That 10 irqpress these things il might
among other things be observed that we
are al the children of the same cOuntry-a
country great and rich in itself. capable of
promising to be as prosperous ana az
happv az any the annals of history have
ever brought 70 our view. That our IN
terast however diversified IN local ana
smaller matters. is the same III al the
great and essential concerns OF the m
fiop. That the xtent Of our country, the
diversity Of our climate and soil. and the
various productions OF the States cOnse-
ouent of both. are such as TO make one
port not only convenient, but perhaps IN
dispensably necessary TO the other part
and nav render the whole cat no distant
period) one Of tAe most independent
In the world. That the established
Government being the work Of our own
hands. with the seeds Of amendment en-
emitted in the Constitution, may by WIS
dom, good dispositions, and mutual allow
anccs. aided by experience. bring 1t as near
To perfection as any human institution
over aDproylnatcd and therefore tho only
strife among Ia Ought to be who should be
foremost in facilitating aud finally accent
nliehinC such great and desirable object
bv Giving every possible support and CO.
mont TO the Union. That however neccs-
sarv II nav be To keep watchtul eye on
public servants and pubic measures YET
there ought to be liInits TO IT; Tor susW-
cione uufounded and Jealousies too lively
are Irritating to honest feelings, and often
times are productive OK more eNl lhah
good. 49,,
10 erumerate the variorls subjects which
MIGHT be introduced into such an address
would require thought. aud 20 mention
them to You would be unnecessary, rs
YOUR own Judgment will comprehend al
chat will be proper, whether to t0uch spc-
officially any Of the exccptaonaole parts
of the Constitution may be doubted.
All | shall add, therefore, at present Il 70
BEG the favor Of Won TO cOnslder-hrst, the
propriety OF such an address; second, II
proved. the several matters which ought
10 be contained IN il. and third, the time 1t
should appear-that Is, whether at the de-
clarat,Ou Of my intention 20 Withdraw
from the service OF the puDlIc or ~ ic' IL
bo the closing act of my administrator.
which will end with the next session OF
Congress (the probability being that that
body Will continue sitting until March
when the House of Representatives VIII
also dissolve. ~,
Though do not wish to hurry you (the
case is not pressing) in the execution OF
either of the publications aforementioned,
vet | should be glad TO hear from you
generally on lsoth, and to receive them IN
time. if YOU should not come 10 Fhlladel-
pha until the session commences III the
form they are finally to take.
/ beg leave 10 draw your attention also to
such things as YOU shall conceive nj SUBJECTS
for communication on that occasion. and
noting them as they occur, that YOU would
be so good as to furnish me with them IN
tine to be prepared and ensratted with
Others for the opening of the session.
With very sincere and affect onate regard,
am ever yours. Go. WASHINGTON,
James Madison. jr.. Esq.