The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-21
HIS PARTING WORDS.
Advice Respecting the Conduct Of the
Governmcnt-Warni and '""nsei
Peculiarly Appropriate To-Day.

lishcd September 49, 1,5b, IN CiaypoOie
American Daily Advertiser, fhLadciphia.
the original graft being given by Gen.
Washington himself TO Mr Claypoole.
The manuscript was retained by Mr..
Claypoolc. and later purchased from the
ClaypOole family 10y james LcnoN. the
historic document is now in tho LcnoN
Public Library. New York. IL consists
of thirty-twO pages OF quartO letter pa
per. scwcd together as book. and has
many alterations. In some places whole
paragraphs were erased and others SUBJ
stitutcd Lines, sentences. and words
were crossed out on almost every page.
The tenth. eleventh. and sixteen pages
were cxpunged altogether save for a few
lines. and the thirty-hrst page also was
cffaccd. Many Of the words were written
IN capital letters. and the General used
undcrscOrng quite literally.
As finally revised and published the ad-
dress proceeds:
ITO the People OF the United States:
Friends and Fellow citizens: The pc
ROD for "a new election Of citizen. 20
administer 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 10 be- clothed with tina.
important trust. II appears 10 me proper
especially as IL may cOnduce 10 a more
distinct expression OF the public voice.
that should now apprise YOU OF the reso-
luton 4 have formed, 10 decline being
considered among the number OF those
out Of wnom choice IS TO be made
Il beg YOU. al the same time, TO do me
the Justice 10 be assured that this reso-
luton has not been taken without a
strict regard to an the consideration APP
pertaining TO the relation which binds
dutifui citizen to his country and that
in Withdrawing the tender Of service
which silence I'm my situation might inn
ply. ! am influenced by no dminution OF
zeal for your future interest; no deficiency
of grateful respect for your past kindness.
but am supported by a full conviction
that the step Is compatible with both.
SACRIFICE TO DUTY.
'The acceptance of. and continuance
hitherto IN. the office TO which your sut-
fragos have twice called me. have been
uniform sacrifice OF inclination 10 the
opinion Of duty. and 10 a Difference for
what appeared 10 be your desire. / con-
stantly hoped that il would have been
much earlier I'm my power. consistently
with motives, which l was not at liberty
10 disregard. TO return 10 that retirement.
from which / had been reluctantly drawn
The strength Of my inclination 10 do this.
previous TO the last election. had even led
TO the preparation Of an address 10 de-
care u 10 YOU bul mature l'Af'Ai'il VIZ
the then perplcXed and critical posture OF
our affairs with foreign nations and the
unanimous advice of persons entitled TO
nv confidence, impeled me 10 abandon
the idea.
II rejoice that the state Of your con-
Germs external as well as internal no
longer renders the pursuit of inclination
incompatible with the sentiment of duty
or propriety and am persuaded whatever
Efra.a4
ices. that in the present circumstances
of our country you viii not disapproVe
my determination 10 retire.
'''The impressions with which first un-
dertook the arduOus trust were explained
on the proper occasion. I'm the discharge
az this trust I will only say that ] have.
with good intentions. contributed toward
the organization and administration ~
tho government the best eNcruons OF
which "a very fallihle judgment was ca
pable Not unconscious in the outset of
the infcriority of my qualifications, cX-
pcriencc in my own eyes. perhaps stll
more I'm the eyes of others. has strength
encd the motives TO difiidence Of myself:
and every day the increasing weight OF
years admonshes me more and more.
that the shade of retirement is as neccs-
sary to me as 1t will be welcome. Sat
isned. that If any circumstances have
given peculiar value to my services. they
were temporary. / have the consolation
10 believe. that while choice and pru-
dence invite me To quit the political
scene patriotism does not forbid IT,
GRATEFUL FOR FANORS
"In looking forward 10 the moment.
which is intended 10 terminate the ca
recr OF my public life my feelings do
not permit me TO suspend the deep ac-
knowlcdgmcnt OF that debt of gratitude
which / owe 10 my beloved country for
the many hOnOrs 10 has conferred upon
me- stll more for the steadfast conf
dcnCe with which IL has supported me.
and for the opportunities ] have thence
enjoyed Of maniesting my inviolable at
fachmcnt by services faithful and per-
severing though IN usefulness unequal TO
my zeal. If benefits have resulted 10 our
country from these services. let ii al
ways be remembered to your praise. and
as an instructive example i'm our annals.
that under circumstances in which the
passions agitated in every direction. were
liable TO mislead, amidst appearances
sometimes dubious, Vicisstudes OF for
tune often discouraging. IN situations in
which not unfrcquently want Of success
has countenanced the spirit of criticism.
the constancy of your support was the
essential prop of the efforts. and a guar
antee of the plans by which they were
effected Profoundly penetrated with this
idea / shall carry IL with me 10 my grave.
as strong Indictment TO unceasing VOWS
that Heaven may continue TO you the
choicest tokens of its hencfcencc. that
your union and brothcrly affection may be
perpetual that the free constitution.
which Is the work OF your hands. may be
sacredly maintained: that its administra-
ton i'm every department may be stamped
with wisdom and virtue; that in fine.
the happiness of the people of these
States. under the auspices of liberty may
he made complete. by so careful "a prescr-
walton and so prudent use OF this bless
ing as will acquire TO them the glory
Of recommending II 20 the applause. the
affection and adoption OF every nation.
which IS yet stranger TO it.
SENTIMENTS or REFLECTION
Here. perhaps. ! ought TO stop. But
n solicitude FOR your welfare. which can
not end but with my life and the apprc-
hcnsion of danger. natural 90 that sOlici-
tude. urge me. on an occasion like the
present, TO Oflcr 10 your solemn cOntem-
plation. and TO recommend TO your fire.
quent review, some sentiments which are
the result Of much reflection. Of no neon
siderable observation. and which appear
10 me all important 60 the pcrmancncy
OF your felicity as a people. These Will
be offered TO YOU with tho more freedom.
as you can only see i'm them the disntcr-
ested warnings OF parting friend. who
can possibly have no personal motive TO
bias mis- counsel Nor can / forget. as an
encouragement TO IL. your indulgent re-
ccption OF my sentiments on former and