The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-01-22
sPEEcH OF
Hon. ALLEN G. THURMAN
Upon Receiving the Nomination
for Governor at the Democratic
State Convention, Held In Co
lumbus. January 8, 1867.
Mr.. President, and Gentlene,. of the Coz

Mr.. President, and Gentlemen of the Con
veatioa.
There is no one here, suppose, wht
does not know that I have neither sough
OF desired the nomination that yod hav,
] been pleased to confer upon me. In
deed I can truly say that although NOR,
than third of . century has elapsed
|since / began to take an interest in pub
lie affairs, yet have never willingly beer
la candidate for Office. To decline ofic,
when could honorably do so. has been
as many Of you know, rule Of my life
That this is no merit | am very vel
laware. 1t is rather a demerit; for ht
who devotes himself to the public ser,
lvice, with an honest purpose to discharge
official duties as they should be discharg
led, is more entitled to praise than is be
who gives the preference to his private
concerns. And there is, perhaps, no am.
bition more laudable than the desire to
fill public STATEN, not for its emolu-
Iments or the qualification of personal
vanity, but for the benefit of the State.
Itis not then to take credit to myself
that I mention my lack of ambition, OF, it
may be, of a proper public spirit, but to
account for my unfeigned and often ex-
pressed reluctance to be candidate
But, gentlemen. you have seen fit to de-
tcide for me; and, as a true Democrat, |
lam bound to acknowledge and respect
your authority. And, certainly, no one
could feel more strongly than | do, how
great is the debt of gratitude | owe you.
For, be the result what it may. the honor
iof your unanimous nomination is dis
Etinction that any man, however high,
might we'll coyet, and the possession of
your confidence and esteem. favor to
which grateful heart could not be in
sensible, Gentlemen. | accept your
nomination, and will strive to prove wor-
thy of it.
Gentlemen, usage requires that | should
say something more; but it is not my
purpose to make long speech. You
have much yet remaining to do, and l
would not willingly interrupt your pro-
ceedings or unnecessarily consume your
time. The campaign before US will last
many months, afording an ample oppor-
tunity for discussion, in which i hope to
be able 70 take proper part. But, at
the very outset, / wish to observe that
the return of the Democratic party to
power seems to me as inevitable as it is
desirable; and it is more desirable if we
wish to preserve and perpetuate free in
stitutions, and once more see happy,
prosperous and united country-united
not by material force alone, but by the
stronger ligaments of reciprocal affection,
mutual esteem, common interests, and a
cherished belief in a common and glori-
Gus destiny.
How long;is may be before the reins Of
Government win again De in our hands,
do not presume to say; but that, sooner
or later,and at no very distant day either,
we will hold them again, and again guide
the chariot of,State. as we did formerly
guide it, along the pathway marked cut
by the Constitution path of pleasant
ness and peace--I do not entertain a
doubt For the Democratic party is the
natural party of free institutions-the
party whose principles best harmonic
with our forms Of Government, in a word
the natural party of this country. Our
whole history proves this. 1t was. the
democratic sentiment that freed US from
Great Britain; il was this sentiment that
laid the foundations of our State and
| Federal Government; it was this senti-
ment that gave to our party so long rule
land made Its rule 80 benefcent and glo.
lrious; it was this sentiment that gave to
Jour country for more than seventy years
1.-THE profoundest domestic peace the world
ever saw, SO that Of that long period Of
time it can truly be observed, what can
not be said of any such period in any
other country, that in it no man in the
Republic lost his life for political of
|fense, no man ever perished in civil war
And it is not strange that il was So For
1 Democracy administered the Government
for the equal benefit of all, rejecting sell
lfishness, discouraging sectionalism, alb
staining from usurpation, and with wise
Jealousy Of power, requiring all Consti-
Itutions, State or Federal to be strictly
construed. ltknew the tendency Of pow
er to steal from the many to the few. the
proneness of Government to enlarge its
authority, and the imminent danger oi
eentrallzatioD; and it therefore cIung .c
our Constitutions es the great barriers
against the evils it apprehended, Il il
to-day what it ever has been, the great
Constitution and Union loving party Of
the country. 1t loves the Federal Con.
stitution for the glorious events that gave
it birth; for the glorious memories of its
mighty trainers, for the incalculable ben
e6ts it has conferred upon the country
and yet more than all these, for the limi
ted powers it contains and the reserved
lr lights it leaves to the States and the peo
pie.
And We love our State Constitution fol
the wise form Of government it institutes
the guarantees of liberty and property il
contains, its express recognition of th'
people sas the source of power, and it
care not to trench too deeply on the right
oftthe individual. And our late sad ex
perIence of Constitutions violated, anc
their most sacred guarantees tramplec
under foot, only makes US adhere th'
more strongly to the instruments design
ed for our protection.
And, believe me, gentlemen, that nj
party that habitually disregards our con