Evening star., 1896-09-19

the executive government of the United
States being not far distant. and the time
actually arrived when your thoughts must
be employed in designating the person who
is to be clothed with that important trust,
it appears to me proper. especially as 1t
may conduce to more distinct expression
of the public voice, that 1 should now ap-
prise you of the resolution l have formed
to decline being considered among the num-
Der of those out of whom a choice is to be
made.
beg YOU at the same time to do me the
Justice to be assured that this resolution
has not been taken without strict regard
to all the considerations appertaining to
the relation which binds dutiful citizen to
his country; and that in withdrawing the
tender of service. which silence in my sit
Iation might imply, 1 am influenced by no
diminution of zeal for your future interest.
no deficiency of grateful respect for your
past kindness, but am supported by full
conviction that the step is compatible with
both.
The acceptance of and continuance hith-
erto in the office to which your suffrages
have twice called me have been uniform
sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of
duty and to a Difference for what appeared
to be your desire. / constantly hoped that
it would have been much earlier in my
power. consistently with motives which
was not at liberty to disregard, to return
to that retirement from which 1 had been
reluctantly drawn. The strength of my in
clination to do this previous to the last
election had even led to the preparation OF
an address to declare it to you; but mature
reflection on the then perpleXed and critical
posture of our affairs with foreign nations
and the unanimous advice of persons en-
titled to my confidence impelled me to
abandon the idea. 1 rejoice that the state
of your concerns, external as we'll as in
ternal. no longer render the pursuit Of in
clination incompatible with the sentiment
of duty or propriety, and am persuaded,
whatever partiality may be retained for
my services. that in the present circum-
stances of our country you will not disap-
prove my determination to retire.
The impressions with which / first under
took the arduous trust were explained on
the proper occasion. In the discharge of
this trust will only say that l have. with
good intentions. contributed toward the or
ganization and administration of the gov
eminent the best exertions of which very
fallible Judgment was capable. Not uncon-
SciouS in the outset of the inferiority of my
qualifications. experience in my own eyes,
perhaps still more in the eyes of Others
has strengthened the motives to diffidence
OF myself; and every day the increasing
weight of years admonishes me more and
more that the shade of retirement is as
necessary to me as il will he welcome. Sat
is:ied that if any circumstances have given
peculiar value to my services they were
temporary. l have the consolation to be-
lieye that, while choice and prudence invite
me to quit the political scene, patriotism
does not forbid il.
In looking forward to the moment which
Is intended to terminate the career of nv
political life. my feelings do not permit me
to suspend the deep acknowledgment of
that debt of gratitude which / owe to nv
beloved country Tor the many honors it has
conferred upon me; still more for the stead
fast confidence with which it has supported
me, and for the opportunities l have thence
at
tachment by services faithful and persever-
ing. though i'll usefulness unequal TO my
zeal If benefits have resulted to our cotIn-
Try from these serN ices, let il always be
remembered 10 your praise and as an in
tructive example in our annals that under
circumstances in which the passions. agi-
Sited III every direction. were liable to mis-
fead; amidst appearances sometimes -du-
bious; vicissitudes of fortune often discour-
aging; in situations in which not unfre-
qGently want of success has countenanced
the spirit OF criticism. the constancy of
your support was the essential prop of the
efforts and guaranty of the plans by
winch they were effected Profoundly PEN
etrateG with this idea, shall carry it with
ME TO my grave as strong Indictment to
unceasing VOWS that heaven may continue
10 You the choicest tokens of its benef-
cence, that your union and bTotherly affec-
ton may be perpetual; that the free Con-
st!tution which is the work of your hands
may be sacredly maintained; that its adj
Ilhlstration IN every department may be
stamped with wisdom and virtue that in
lire. the happiness of the people of these
states. under the auspices of liberty NAV
be made complete by So careful preserva-
ton and SO prudent a use of this blessing
as will acquire to them the glory of recon-
mendinS it to the applause the affection
and adoption of every nation which is yet
stranger to it.
Here, perhaps, / ought to stop Rut q
solicitude for your welfare which cannot cnd
but with my life. and the apprehension of
danger natural to that solicitude urge me
"A -in lie . he
your solemn contemplation and to recon-
mend to your frequent review some senti-
ments which are the result of much ref1ec-
ton. of no inconsiderable observation and
which appear TO me all important to the
permanency of felicity as a people
3hese will be offered to you with the more
9teedom as you can only see in them the
3iSintereSted warnings of parting friend,
aho can possibly have no personal motive
40 bias his counsel. Nor can forget as an
fncouragement 10 IT your indulgent recep-
ton OF my sentiments a former and not
diSsimilar occasion.
interviewer as is the love of liberty with
every hgament of your hearts, no recon-
nendation of nine Is necessary to forttfy
or confirm the attachment.
The unity of government which consti-
tutes you one people is also now dear to you
1t is justly so, for it is main pillar in the
edifce of your real independence, the sup
peace abroad. of your safety, of your pros
perity, of that very liberty which you sc
hiSnly prize. But as Ii is easy to foreSee
that from different causes and from differ
ent quarters much pains will be taken
many articles employed. to weaken in your
minds the conviction of this truth as this
Is the point in your political fortress
aE-.--t which the batteries of internal and
external eneE~S will be most constantly
and actively ChougH-~ften covertly and in
s;diously) directed il is GS infinite moment
that you should properly esr>>Sate the i'm
mense value of your national uni>>l to your
collective and individual happiness; thai
you should cherish cordial. habitual SS1t
fmmovable attachTe to it: accustomins
yourselves to think and speak of it as OF
tie palladium of your political safety and
prosperity; watching for its preservation
with jealous anxiety; discountenancine
whatever may suggest even a suspicion
that IT can in any event be abandoned, and
indignantly frownng upon the first dawn.
ing OF every attempt to ALLEVIATE any por.
tion of our country from the rest or to en-
feeble the sacred ties which now link to-
gether the various parts.
For this you have every inducement OF
sympathy and interest. Citizens by birtl
or choice of a common country, that cour
try has a right to concentrate your affec
tions. The name of American, which be
longs to you in your national capacity
must always exalt the just pride of pa
triotism more than any appellation derived