The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1906-01-17
Hon. Joseph c. Sibley Announces His
Determination to Retire at the
End Of His Present Term
In Congress.

iu tOugTtsss
To Ny Friends aud Constituents.
1t was, | think, the younger Pliny, who
said that the young man owed service to
his fellowmen and his country, but that
the old man owed service to himself.
More than one-fifth Of my life has been
given to political service. Every smbi-
ton of a political character has been more
than satisfied, and it is my desire on the
completion of my present term to be re-
lieved from further service.
To the best of my ability have served
you in public life with fidelity and zeal,
without at any time permitting one sell
fish desire or personal advantage to in
fuence me on any question confronting
me in the discharge of my public duties.
In the review of my public actions ,an-
not recall having hit an unfair blow po-
litically; and have never knowingly
broken my word or faith with my con-
stituency, or with any one OF them-with
possibly single exception wherein 1t
seemed to me was justified in so doing.
During my term of service have been
constant in my attendance at the sessions
of congress, and up to December last re-
call no day that have been absent from
the sessions of the house If able to be out
of bed; and never at any time have neg
lected the Interest Of any constituent, no
matter what might be his political atfilis-
ton, or how poor and obscure he or she
might be. True, this was only a duty.
But had it not been duty, the love and
confidence so generously bestowed by the
good people Of all political parties during
so many hard fights in the political arena,
have been so appreciated by me that it
has always seemed that the best services
l had in my power to render was too
slight an expression of my appreciation
of your loyal love aud support.
As your representative in congress it
has never fallen to my lot to do any great
thing, but the opportunity has been given
me to do many good things. There is
one class of people whose interests l have
been able to serve; at least no opportu-
nifty for the betterment of their condition
has ever been neglected by me; and that
class is made up of the noble manhood
and womanhood OF our nation who reside
on American farms. have believed for
years. and still believe that they are the
great conservators of the nation; the
moral balance wheel which affords the
surest guarantee of the permsnency of
our forms of government, and that their
cultivated moral sense generally arrives
at a just if not an absolutely accurate
conception OF the genus OF our higher
civilization.
On all public questions l have attempt
ed to apply the one single rule, and that
the Rule of Right" and at no time have
allowed my partisanship to blindly guide
me.
While recognize that as your repre-
sentative haye made mistakes, no vote
has ever been cast by me except in ac-
cordance with my most enlightened con-
ceptions fol the welfare of my constit-
ueuts and my country. But whether my
position was right or wrong, both friend
and foeman have known where to find
me, for have never at any period of my
life been on both sides of any given ques-
tion, nor have l ever lodged one vote
since entering congress. This course
has. believe, won for me the expect of
my fellow members. which will be val
ued so long as live.
never anticipate again being a candi-
date for any political position, and shall
join with you in the desire that my sue
cessor will be one who will try as unsel-
fishly and Loyalty as have done to serve
your interests, and be clothed with
greater measure of ability in doing so.
Sincerely and affcctionately,
Your friend,
JOSEPH c. SIBLEY.
Washington, Jan. 10, 1905.