Julia Sand – Letter 14
Context
Julia again makes reference to the Star Route scandal, a case involving bribery of the U.S. post office. She first mentioned this scandal in letter 7.
Letter 14
August 15, 1882
Hon. Chester A Arthur.
Well, have you not five minutes to spare for me – when I have spared so many hours for you, in this long, sad, exciting year? When I was an invalid & hardly ever went anywhere, or saw anyone, it seemed quite natural that I should not see you – you were as far from me in New York, as in Washington – but now it is different. And this, perhaps, is the last time that we will be near enough for there to be any chance of our meeting. Soon I will leave town, expecting to spend the fall & winter in Saratoga, as the fine air & quiet life there agreed with me so well, & when I come home the next time, my home, probably, will not be in New York. I would not on any account have you run the smallest risk, or subject yourself to the slightest annoyance for my sake, but, if it is possible, I do want to see you.
And if it is impossible, may I say again what I have said before? Be careful what you do in New York. Here lies your greatest temptation. If you have influence, I do not ask you to throw it away – I only beg of you to use it with conscience. If, as some people say, you can name our next governor, do not waste your efforts patching up a peace among a few contemptible politicians, but name a man who is worthy to be Governor, one of whom the State may be proud, one for whom the people will thank you. If we have a candidate who appeals to our patriotism, the Republican State Committee will not need to pick the pockets of post-officer & Custom House clerks for his support – the people at large will support him enthusiastically.
And may I say one thing more? Do not, at the last moment, do anything weak in the Star Route cases. I know it is one of the most painful things in life to turn away from a friend, & let the cold, hard hand of justice fall with full force, where it was expected that we would mitigate the blow. I am almost certain that this thought is troubling you now. But do not waver. Remember that your duty to the country stands above all else. If you must suffer, by all means suffer for the sake of truth & justice. What we suffer for wrong, degrades us – what we suffer for right, gives us strength. And I yet hope, before you leave public life, that patriotism & the love of justice may so become the habit of your mind, that the people may await, not with anxiety, but with perfect confidence all your actions & decisions.
Yours sincerely,
J. I. S.