"Doubtless the spontaneous and just appreciation of an intelligent people
is the best earthly reward for earnest and cheerful services rendered to
one's state and country; and while it is a matter of unfeigned regret
that my life has been so barren of usefulness, I shall ever hold this and
similar tributes among my most cherished recollections.
"To these, my sincere and grateful acknowledgments, I desire to add that
the same motives which induced me, several years ago, to retire from
public life, and which since that time controlled my judgment in this
respect, now impel me to say that the use of my name in any event, before
the democratic national convention at Baltimore, to which you are a
delegate, would be utterly repugnant to my taste and wishes."
The sentiments expressed in the above letter were genuine, and from his
heart. He had looked long and closely at the effects of high public
station on the character and happiness, and on what is the innermost and
dearest part of a man's possessions--his independence; and he had
satisfied himself that office, however elevated, should be avoided for
one's own sake, or accepted only as a good citizen would make any other
sacrifice, at the call and at the need of his country.
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