The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-04-03
GOV. JOHNSON
WOULD ACCEPT
WILL NOT SEEK NOMINATION,
BUT WOULD CERTAINLY
NOT REFUSE 1T.
ANSWERS THE DIRECT INQUIRY
Does Not Think That Any one
Should Actively Seek
The Honor.

ST. PAUL. MINI, March H.-Gov.
Johnson today made a specific declara-
ton that while he was not sought and
will not seek the Democratic nomina-
ton for President, he will not refuse
the honor il II is rendered him. This
statement was made in a letter TO
Swan ]. Hurnblad, publisher OF the
Minneapolis Swedish-American Post,
who had asked Gov. Johnson for Q
declaration on the subject. The Gov
ernor's letter to Mr.. Turnblad is as
follows:
st. Paul, Mimi, March q, 1903
swan ]. Turnblad, Minneapolis, MINI.
My Dear Mr. Turnblad: Your let
ter of the 23rd of March, in which you
state that you have been subjected to
many inquiries as to my plans In con-
nection with the Democratic nomina-
ton of President, / have for acknowl-
edgement.
In reply thereto, let me say that
do not believe that any American citi-
zen should be an active. open candi-
date for the nomination to the Presi-
dency. Any American would appre-
ciate the high honor which could come
to him in being selected as standard
bearer of his party. While ! recog-
nize that the press has much to say
about me in connection with this high
office, have hitherto avoided any pub
lie or private expression regarding my
position. Matters have progressed so
far, however, that it seems to me tnat
7 should at least say in answer to your
interrogation that If the Democratic
party of the Nation believed me to be
more available than any other man,
and felt that by my nomination could
contribute any service to the party
and to the Nation | should be happy
10 be the recipient of the honor which
IT would thus confer. l am not un-
mindful, either, of the high honor
which has been paid me by the people
OF Minnesota. and If the Democratic
party of the State desires to present
NV name to the next National Con-
vention | am sure l would have no
objection. but even If Minnesota were
the only State to declare for me at
that time | should still feel that the
distinction was one of the greatest
which could come to me.
Il have done nothing, and will 90
nothing, in the way Of organization to
bring about this end, and shall not be
a candidate in the sense OF seeking
the nomination. If, however, those
who have the welfare of the country
and the Democratic party at heart
should feel that / am necessary In
this year Of grace, I certainly shall
respond to any call which may be
made upon me. In this connection l
desire 1t understood that in no sense
am to be a candidate for the purpose
of defeating Mr.. Bryan or any otner
man; that the only consideration
which would induce me to allow the
use of my name would be the feeling
that l might be necessary to the
cause. II the Democratic party should
see fit to nominate Mr.. Bryan or any
one else the action would meet with
my approval, and the nominee certain
" would have my unqualified support
as should expect his support II con-
ditions were reversed.
81 have written you fully that you
may thoroughly understand the sit
uation. In order that there may be
no doubt / would say in answer to
your question that II nomination
came to me certainly should not re-
fuse It. Very truly yours,
JOHN A. JOHNSON"