Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1918-02-21

NOW a college professor SOME" ileie
has discovered. what has not been
known generally heretofore. that
George Washington entertained no Cd
lection to a third term. a kind OF an
impersonal opinion that it would be al!
right. But he would not accept a thlrd
term himself. He did not hesitate 10
say that he deemed 1t patriotic not TO
do SO. On the 18th of September, 100
he Issued what is known in history as
his farewell address" in which ne
said:
The period for a new election of a
citizen to administer the executive gov
rnimen of the United States being not
far distant. and the time actually ar
rived when your thoughts must be en-
ployed in designating the person who
is to be clothed with that important
trust, 1t appears to me proper, espe-
claIy as 1t may conduce to a more dis
tinct expression of the public voice,
that | should now appriSe you of the
resolution l have formed, to decline
beng considered among the number
Of those out of whom a choice is to
be made
Il beg you, at the same time, to do
me the justice to be assured that this
resolution has not been taken without
a strict regard to all the considerations
appertaining to the resolution which
binds a dutiful citizen to his country.
and that in withdrawing the tender OF
service which silence in my situation
might imply, l am influenced by no
d%ilnunition of zeal for your future in
terest. no deficiency of grateful respect
for your past kindness, but am sup
ported by a full conviction hat the
step is compatible with both.
,Ihe acceptance Of, and continuance
hitherto in, the office to which your
sutfrages have twice called me, have
L 1nan a Fl rn n.. e. - o II; tow
TO the opinion of duty, and to a defer
ence to what appeared to be your de
sire. constantly hoped that it would
nae been much earlier in my power
consistently with motives which I was
not at liberty to disregard. to return
&c the retirement from which l had
peen Reluctantly drawn. The strength
OF my inclination to do this, previous
10 the last election, had even led to the
preparation Of ar address to declare
IL to you but mature reflection on the
then perpleNed 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.
rejoice that the state of your con
Germs, external as well as internal. no
longer renders the pursuit Of inclina-
ton incompatible with the sentiment
or duty or prosperity; and am persuad-
~ Gsh llGiillS lid uS ltlliS
Tor my services, that in the present cir
cumstances of our country you will not
d1saprove my determination to retire.
The Impressions with which I first
undertook the arduous trust were eX-
planned on the proper occasion. In the
dlscharge OF this trust, | will only say
that l have. with good intentions, con-
tr1buted towards the organization and
administration Of the government the
pest eXert1ons of which a very faIlible
judgment was capable. Not uncon-
sclous, in the outset, Of the inferioritv
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 nee
essary to me as it will be welcome.
Satisfied that If any peculiar circum-
stances have given peculiar value to
my services. they We're temporary, I
nave he consolation to believe that
while choice n prudence invite me to
quit the political scene patriotism does
not forbid it.
In looking forward to the homer
which is intended to terminate the ca
reer of my public life. my feelings do
not permit me to suspend the deep ac-
knowledgement Of that debt Of graft
tude which l W to my beloved coun-
try for the many honors which 1t has
conferred upon me; still more for the
steadfast confidence with which it has
supported me; and for the opportuni-
ties l have thence>enjoyed Of manifest
ing my invoilable attachment by serv-
ices and ~persevering, though in useful
ness unequal to my zeal. If benefits
have resulted to our country from these
services, let it always be remembered
to your praise; n as an Instructive
example IN our annals that, under cir
cumstances in which the passions-agi-
tated IN every ~direction-were liable to
mlslead, amidst appearances sometimes
dubious, viciSSitudeS of fortune often
discouraging, in situations in which not
ln~frequently want Of success has coun-
tenanced the spirit Of criticism-the
constancy Of your support was the es-
sential prop Of he efforts, and a guar
antee Of the plans by which they were
effected.
Profoundly penetrated by this idea, I
shall carry it with me to the grave, as
a strong Indictment to unceasing vows
that heaven may continue to you the
choicest tokens Of it's beneficience; that
your union and %brotherly affection my
be perpetual; that the free constitution.
which is the work Of your hands. may
be sacrediy maintained: that its adj
m~lnlstration in every department NAV
be stamped with wisdom and virtue;
that, in time, the happiness Of the peo-
PIE OF IheSe states, under the auspices
OF liberty, may be made complete, by so
careful a preservation and so prudent a
use Of this blessing. as will acquire to
them the glory Of recommending it to
the applause, the affection and adop-
ton OF every nation which is yet a
stranger to it.
Here. perhaps, I ought to stop; but
solicitude for your welfare. which can-
not end but with my life. and the ap-
piehension Of danger natural to that
solicitude, urg me. on an occasion like
the present, to offer for your solemn
contemplation, and 10 recommend to
your frequent review. some sentiments
which are the result of much reflection,
OF no inconsiderable observation; and
which appear to me all important to the
permanency Of your felicity as a people.
These will be offered to you with the
more freedom, as you can only see in
them the disinterested warnings Of a
parting friend. who can possibly have
no personal motive to bias his counsels,
Nor can 1 forget an Encouragement to
it-your indulgent reception Of my SEN
timents on a former and not dissimilar
occasion.
interviewer as is the love OF liberty
with every ligament Of your hearts, no
l recommendation NJ r,;po &c. = -