Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-02-20
NJ ADOO WILL NOT
PERMIT HIS NAME
ON STATE BALLOTS

t NEW YORK, Feb. 1S.-William
Gibbs McAdoo announced today he
would not permit his name to b.
used on presidential primary ballots
in the various states and that he ad
Nocated he sending of uninstructe
delegates to the Democratic nation
al convention. The former secretary
of the treasury said he believed til.
highest constructive leadership cal!
hest be Obtained if the national IL
terest lis not submerged t. a con-
test of individual candidates.
Mr.. McAdoo's views were express
cd in a letter sent to Miller S.
Bell, mayor of MilledgeviIle Ga.
III response to a telegram saying ,hl
citizens of his boyhood home had
placed his name on <he presidential
preferential ticket.
Text of Letter
The letter follows:
Your telegram informing me that
the citizens of MilledgevlIe have
entered my name in the Democra ic
primary of the state of Georgia for
president of the United States duly
received. I sn deeply moved by this,
manifestation of the confidence of
lay friends, who live in the civ of
NY boyhood and in the state of my
r&tivity. 1t is indeed an honor to BE-
considered by them worthy Of sucn
nigh station. | feel. however, that l
should candidly sta>e my positiD
l am NOT seeking the nomination and
DAlIint1nt tn h inc ~ .
would create the appearance of a
candidacy. I cannot help feeling that
his is peculiarly a time when we
should fight for principles and H.
Tor individuals.
"The momentous years through
which we have just. gone have
brought to- the fore great human
problems which so to the very roots
OF our social and economic life and
;nsistently demand settlement. The
destiny of the human race will be
profoundly affected by the things we
Go and by the wisdom we show dur
ms the next tour years. Patriotism
end constructive leadership of he
highest order are necessary and
am convinced that we a.e mos. like
ly TO secure them IF the supreme
consideration of the national inter
est is no. submered in a contest of
iHdiViduaI candidates. for the pres;-
Genital office. Therefore. ,hnnld
ike to"see the next Democratic ni
tlonaI convention composed. of I'm
tr2mmeled men and women bound to
no particular candidate and allowed
to express their preferences freely
through the abolition of the Unit
rule
Wants Freedom of Action
While 7 realize that I'm 7er the
primary laws instructed deieeates
from some states are manda tory,
nevertheless | think it highly de-
siIable that every effort should be
made to- send uninstructed delegates
from every state where possible.
personally, [ should be delighted II
the neXS national convention might
actually be great Democratic cor
terence where the utmost freedo y
OF action should prevail and where
The motive Of high service aIonA
should control. If in such a con.
vention platform is adopted ans
4 candidate is selected representing
the great constructive. progressive
,:rd spiritual forces of the Gay, the
favorable opinion of the country
would be enlisted at the very ouf-
set. The issue would .hen be sharp
IL drawn between us and the forces
oil stand-patisn and reaction which
are already oVer-reaching themselves
and claiming with presentations
confluence the victory in Novem-
Der, next.
Holding these views you can
readily understand why T prefer not
TO be entered in the Georgia primary
and why I must beg my good friends
10 Withdraw my name. I cannot con-
slstently enter the primary in any
state when it is my earnest convic-
ton that the delegates from every
state should go to the convention
without instructions save to use their
power and opportunity for the best
service of their country.
NO greater honor than nomina-
ton for the presidency can come
to any man short of election to the
presidency itself. In a democracy
like ours the ob1iga lions of good
are supreme and [ should,
regard it as the imperative
duty of any man to accept nomina-
ton if it should come to him I'M
solicited. I say this at the risk
of being charged with harboring a
candidacy notwithstanding the ex-
plicit statements in this letter but
am sure that. on the whole, I shall
not be misunderstood.
please accept my warm thanks
for your generous support and be