"Let that party set up a broomstick, and call it a true son of liberty,--a democrat,--or give it any other epithet that will suit their purpose, and it will command their votes _in toto_![1] Will not the Federalists meet, or rather defend, their cause on the opposite ground? Surely they must, or they will discover a want of policy, indicative of weakness and pregnant of mischief, which cannot be admitted. Wherein, then, would lie the difference between the present gentleman in office and myself? [Footnote 1: "As an analysis of this position, look to the pending election of governor in Pennsylvania."] "It would be matter of grave regret to me if I could believe that a serious thought was turned toward me as his successor, not only as it respects my ardent wishes to pass through the vale of life in retirement, undisturbed in the remnant of the days I have to sojourn here, unless called upon to defend my country (which every citizen is bound to do); but on public grounds also; for although I have abundant cause to be thankful for the good health with which I am blessed, yet I am not insensible to my declination in other respects. It would be criminal, therefore, in me, although it should be the wish of my countrymen and I could be elected, to accept an office under this conviction which another would discharge with more ability; and this, too, at a time when I am thoroughly convinced I should not draw a _single_ vote from the anti-Federal side, and of course should stand upon no other ground _than any other Federal character_[1] well supported; and when I should become a mark for the shafts of envenomed malice and the basest calumny to fire at,--when I should be charged not only with irresolution but with concealed ambition, which waits only an occasion to blaze out, and, in short, with dotage and imbecility. [Footnote 1: These italics are mine.] "All this, I grant, ought to be like dust in the balance, when put in competition with a _great_ public good, when the accomplishment of it is apparent. But, as no problem is better defined in my mind than that principle, not men, is now, and will be, the object of contention; and that I could not obtain a _solitary_ vote from that party; _that any other respectable Federal character could receive the same suffrages that I should_;[1] that at my time of life (verging towards threescore and ten) I should expose myself without rendering any essential service to my country, or answering the end contemplated; prudence on my part must avert any attempt of the well-meant but mistaken views of my friends to introduce me again into the chair of government." [Footnote 1: These italics are mine.]