Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-09-13
SPEECH OF GOVERNOR RANDALL.

The following is the speech of Gov. RANDALL,
before the Convention, accepting the nomina-
tion for Governor 1t is pointed, and vigorous
in its style, and shows that he viii not be de-
tered by idle clamor from doing what is right
Gentlemen, Of tie Contention
/ cannot express to you in words the obliga-
tions | feel for this manifestation of the good
will of the Republicans of the State towards
me. | hardly know what to say on such an oc-
casion and under such circumstances as these.
As | am plain talking man you will permit
to talk plainly. | have been in great doubt
what my duty to the Republicans in regard
to this nomination. L tell you sincerely have
much greater desire for the success of the Re-
publican party this fall than to be reelected to
the Office of Governor. | must in view of what
has occurred, both before the meeting of this
Convention and since, express myself freely and
frankly concerning this nomination. i consider
1t general endorsement of the acts of my al
ministration. That | have committed many err
rors | have doubt. To in human. -
But wish to say here that when | give up the
keys of the office to my successor there will be
clear record So far as the integrity of my adj
miniStration is conce' ned. / shall fear in
vestigations. | shall ask a committee of my
enemies and not of my friends to examine it.
Since the Convention has been in session |
have been reviewing my course since entering
not of my official acts that / would not do
again If called upon to act with lhe same light
and under the same circumstances. There has
been some complaint of some of my appoint
ments. appointed Sam. Bugh, a name per-
hapS familiar 10 most of yOn, to appralse some
twenty sections of school lands, to sleep in the
marshes and to fight musquifoes for a short pc
riod, at twenty shlhngs per day Through the
agency of Mr. Bugh had been enabled to fer
ret out the frauds of the old Lunatic Asylum
IN .afn +t,rrs. x-al,,
than 81 $4,000. | did not think this petty ap-
pontment too much to give in return for such
services.
Again, have given military commissions to
Democrats ! had never heard that military
commissions were If u political nature Out of
the very large number of such appointments l
have given about forty to Democrats | doubt
very much whether there Is a State in the Tn
ION where political opponents have received SO
small number OF such appointments. Anoth
er subject of complaint IN some quarters has
been my cuUrse in the controversy over the Of
fee of State comptroller. L did what thought
my duty required me to do with regard to that
office. | deemed it my duty to sustain the
fourteen Republican Senators who voted to sus-
the Com ptroiler. l find no fault with the two
Republican Senators who voted with the DEM
ocrats on that occasion. They probably acted
according to their views of duty, and it was
proper they should do So l am, as / said a
plain talking man say Just what | mean :,
| have sUberfuges no lodges, conceal
merits; | have many imperfectons and weak-
nesses but while | hold the office of Governor
| shall do Just what my best judgment tells me
is my duty [Applause] No newspaper artI-
Gle shall deter me. 30 personal attack from any
source. What my Judgment dictates that
should do, that shall do though IT sink every
town in the State to a level with the bottom OF
Lake Michigan. Ii this be contrary to the sem
timents of this Convention, do not wish to be
your standard bearer in the canvass before us
Ii is always well, before condemnIng political
acts, to know the motives that prompt them :
So far my personal interest IS concerned ]
would be glad to have yot elect some other
person for this position. ] am spending In 1t
some of the best years of my life. 1t is an in
jury to me TO hold it. -Four years ago | came
to the Legislature to uproot what deemed
some great evils that exis ed in the body polite
| have labored since that time to effect some
radical reforms, and have used my best endeav
ors to be of some serv. :e 70 TIE people of the
State. Words canroC express to you my grati-
tcaton at this endorsement but tell you again
that | would rather that you would reconsider
the action you have taken, and nominate some
other man The matter of first Importance *
to secure the success of the party, and through
that of its principles. Jf any other man is
teemed more aFaIlable, if any other would be
met by less o. personal objection aud pref udIce
| will cheerfully stand aside. and yield him
cordial support. But If 1t be thought best, |
shall accept the nomination, ana snail meet
the gentleman who was nominated here the
other day. / shall 20 with him before the Gig
noriaRt people OF this State and endeayor to as
ssst him In enlIghtening them IN regard 90 what
are modern Democratic principles. TApplause.1
Whether a candidate not | will do this.
The speaker concluded by an allusion to the
ludicrous attempts of the various hostile and
Jealous factions OF the Democracy to unite du-
ring the coming fall for the sake of the spols,
and the billing and cooIng which attended the
effort Their aspirations for a union, and their
signing after each other reminded him of the
tender and touching lines of the widow Bedoti
wherein she bewailed the absence OF !" her
Shadrach >
20 for a sight Of Shadrsch's face,
To dissipa'e this gloom.
To mitigate this lonesome place
Aud shed 1 sweet perfUme.' (Cheers)