Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-07


Dear Governor pcnnypaCker -- ] see
that | shall have to make this II very
personal and familiar letter ana peg you
to pardon IT.
It was with n sense of genuine pleasure
that | read your kindcst of letters ot NO
vember &c, informing me that the liis-
toriCa Society OF Pennsylvania would
invite me to he their guest at a reception
to he given me at some time in the near
future which might suit my convenience;
and telling me also that the idea having
originated with you, you Nourelt would
arrange for my comfort, would make my
reception a success, and would, so 10 say
brush away the possible thorns in the
path. and metaphoriCally strcw it with
laurel and roses. Now, my ucar tIoV-
crnor, nothing in the world could DO
kinder more generous or more dehcalely
cnticinC; but one consideration has been
overlooked n vital one, and that is the
state of my health.
This It IL that prevents me from sub
tccting myself TO any undue excitement
and which has for years caused me 10 an
sent myself from all public functions
The recital of our ailments is tcdlous'
but YOU will pardon me for touching upon
mine that I may justify what would
otherwise seem ungratciulnesS.
Some years ago. after a too prolonged
siege of visiting, | was suddenly stricken
with heart failure. neurasthenia ana all
it's ills following, and for some years
thereafter my life was despaircd Of. at
tacks Of heart failure making il seem
that the end might come ut amy time.
All exciting causes We're avoided. And
out of consideration for my delicate
health Franklin and Marshall did me
the honor to give me Lift. ID. in absentia.
Only last year 7 had an invitation from
a professor at Yale who was authorized
20 speak for the faculty inviting me to
i. tY-rv
quite informally. if ] wished, they wero
good enough TO say yet | knew ] should
not be able to go through the ordeal
and had to give up the alluring idea.
Indeed, ] could no more undertake TO
undergo rcccption--you can see ] nm
consciously use the word undergo" as
il one expected surgeons operation
than I could climb Pixies Peak, for each
might prove fatal to tho weak heart.
have been told that my mother was
one Of the most frail Of women, and that
it was not unusual for her to faint uay
after day, and ! often think that some
Of my lack Of robustness comes to me
from her, but then one loves to inherit
even n defect from his mother.
1t is the strain that does the injury,
and nothing can eliminate the strain.
by avoiding events which might be in.
furious | have been enabled to do n
little work, such as ii is. now and then,
and to remain among the living.
You surely do not wish to eXterminate
me. And yet u reception might do It.
Such things have happened. \ live poet
at n reception might pass muster, but I
ask YOU, my dear Governor. what you
would do with Il collapsed poet.
fear the strain. and so do my doctors,
and under the circumstances | feel that
YOU will surely understand my inability
TO be present much as I would enjoy
the honor which would accrue.
1t is so unhandsome in one to refuse
such distinction and such proffers Of
wide hospitality, for I am conscious
that there would be assembled many men
eminent in literature, law and the liberal
arts and sciences. that [ feel oppressed
by my own inability to accept your kind
invitation. But | beg you will at least
believe me sincere in my profound
thanks. and that with the highest an.
probation of all your intended Kindness
! hope ] may submit, without offense
how impossible il Is for me 10 accent the
honors which You propose and which yo,,
and others so bountifully mean to shower
upon me.
am. my dear Governor 7 assure vou
under mountain of obligation, and re.
man. Most sincerely yours,
LLOYD MIFFLIN.
The spirit Is willing but the flesh is
weak.
December %, 1911.
Hon. Samuel w. Pennypacker.
Philadelphia, Pa.
My Dear GovernOr-Of course I do
not expect that you remember me. but f
had the pleasure of meeting you here and
at Harrisburg.
1t seems to be that n public official who
has served the Commonwealth wisely
and conscientiously as you have, must
feel ranking and resentment at the
unjust ridicule and criticism that has
been your share to suffer
The late Judge Searle, of Nontrose
told me the last time ! saw him alive
that in fifty years Pennypacker would be
regarded as the greatest of our Gov
ernorS.
am not asking for ANYTHING. NOT
even a reply, but think it more flttjnr
at this season TO express to Won nv
appreciation Of your services as nm
official and citizen than to eulogize Won
aiter your ueath. Sincerely.
EDWARD B. FARR
Tomorrow will he printed the first nj n s.r,,
Of miniature charac tiOns Of prominent ,,a
sons. Governor Pennypacker ,escribes "I no
Joe" Cannon and former President Taft