The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-09-02
! g. GENERAL m RosE0RAss LETTER.
Declining the Democratic Nomination for
ss Governor of Ohio.

city, returning from Mexico, Mayor |
MeCoppins, Hon. Sam1 Butterworth |
and Judge McCorkle, presented me
your letter and very friendly notes |
from Senators Thurman and Casserly, |
announcing my. unanimous nomina- |
ton by the Democracy of Ohio as
their candidate for Governor in the
pending electoral canvass for State
officers, and l have carefully read and
considered them. l have likewise con-
Yersed with Governor Haight, who
takes great interest in the consolida-
ton of the Democratic organization
in Ohio on that basis of constitution
al freedom and progress which, in the
past, gave unity to, a. party that has
governed the, country for more than
two-thifds Of the period of our ma
tional existence, and originated, or
carried into successful execution, near
ly all the great measures which form
epocbs in our history. ...- f.sf ,c =. -s1
Grateful for the honor of this nomf-
nation by the Democracy Of my ma
tive State, Imuch regret that iinperi-
Gus, duties compel me tor decline the
canvass, as ! teiegraphed you yester-
| day. ---..,.-....-.-... ...:s,...,f.,,...
~ llOuC WV
ton toodeh oefatic representative gov
! the best model the world has yet sc ell,
at nearly fifty, with some knowledge
of men and some experience iii gov
erning them, Il amt still Democrat
from, study, convictions and senti-
ment of brotherhood with my fellow
men.ufI,. y. therefore, deem it Il duty,
under the, circumstances of this nomi-
hatien, to make, a few suggestions as
to the fundamental principles which,
I think, ought to, upderlie every local
Dem ocratie platform ftiH ..elaaJuH
What, of, old gave the Democratic
party in the United States its prestige
and spirit was its profound faith in
the capacity of man for rself-gevern-.
ment and progress under institutions
based on the great principles of librr-
ty, fraternity, and equality before the
law, and its courage in carrying the
logic of its, faith into, action. o Hence
hia4rpse that discipline, and order and
progressive oori ginalityo1 which, have
marked its history, and made its victo-
rious banner the symbol of hope to
lovers of freedom at home and abroad,
while i'll the nature of things it be-
icame the rallying point of office-seek-
ers and political adventurers, whose
timfd;and' timeaserving counsels some
!. timessimpaired the energy of it's ac-
ttiop and prevented the vigorous de-
Evelopment of its principles, ~, s-,,s
II But after a great civil. war, which
has changed the face of politics, the
IinstinctiVe- Democracy of the iAmeri-
! can people remains, and the events OF
: 1.-THE war have. increased its confidence
: in free Institutions and in the eapaci-
TIitE of the people to adapt them, to the
exigencies of national life. In spite
of fdteamei;siaftergImperialisnl or con.
solidation, b in spite of othose0 Whose
only political principles are the ,appa.
rent eXpediencies, of the hour, who
knowing that civilized man must have
} government, care always dcontriVine
tricks and schemes tomake themselves
the favoredt few. ordained to govern
and be paid for it; in spite of those
! whose who consider it a weak and
falling 'e&periInens, the heart of the
, great body of our people beats warm.
, lYs and its judgment moves instinc
with its old Democratic feelings an6
convictions. h''l'''' :
y Appeal should, therefore, be. made
to these Instincts and Convictions BY
assertingiW iW fundamental principle
which IougAt to- govern the future de
velopments Of this great and fire.,
country, and at the proper times ant
places ANNOUNCING such measures o
policy based on them as the exigen
&. ciese of the nations life and action
: may require. E,a5i,tf.g..sgf -yia.
The country requires, and the Dem
ocfatic party Ought to be a party 0
principley az party Of life, of action
:, and /. off pFogressono 8" Fossils u ant
} fault flinders, do, not properly belon.
to the party, and, if found in it, ough
to go on the retired list.
Leaving to its opponents of. Z al
shades and grades all narrow and sec
tional grounds, all monopolies and ia
D voritism based on class, creed. race
color, Or national origin, the Demo
3. cratic party of the, United. State
ID Ought to hold high the banner. of uni
I'd versal freedom, Impartial justice. an
"a equality before the, law Of all VIII
live beteath the flag of our country.
u A fact Of our history expressed. o
49, our coat of arms by the words, e PHI
= ,16@s Unas1s--nannil ope+1is that W
have grown "many distinct substar
Id tally self-governing communities III
eighty t Tq cease TO be %manyge e
N to be I" one," would interrupt thi
lazy iofo our historic life. The sci
D. goyernment of the people by State
b and the unity of the nation are esseI
il tlaf laws Of our past growth and lif
'GG OF which our written Constitution
er but the formed expression, and mu;
F. be fundamenta with the National D.
!" moqracY hose policy must be broa
~ enough, and wise enou to maintai
Ni9 the onesWit hegtt Weakening the othe
Ti] 1T is the combined action of the
i, a tWn principles which gives our dem
cratIe rep res tatiEe system Its pow
Of expansion, and makes it work
q the wonder and admiration of Eur
* peang gqstatesine ald philosophers.
l5e Leaving tie rights of seH=gnyernmel
esl to the people, and removing from tt
nd Statesa all tho burdens. of armies, n
,,t' vies, lines of. Notifications, diplomat
ra- representatives. coinage, postal sy
e9i sPi TENS, and that host Of officials whit
subtraotJfrpm productive industry al
devour its products in the States
Europe, it frees commerce and trav
son from varying standards, of weigh
T measures and values, from State ia
ifs, passports and spying officialisl
and provides that tie eitizens of O
,rt- State may obtain redress or payne
All of claims from those of another wit
ore ore out the. .;interminable operations al
e3at delays of diplomacy by the interVe
hon,o Courts of law. IT.
,,,. Based on these laws of our life a
are growth, and repudiating the doctri
at that Hmight makes right" Americ
Democracy holds that liberty ooHsi
ssIa sna in the obedience, Of all to just laws
mt, That these laws should be the few
Gan Hnn and simplest possible, leaving the
leat ea most individual freedom of thous
de and action consistent with equal rig
;ao3ds and Impartial Justice, and where iii
vidual action lntist be regulated
+ law, seeking always a"tle great
good togthe greatest number. tn
sThisis the DemoeraeyI believe
oc a" and to which | am proud to belong
en-, Permit me-. therefore, to iHdid
,tbe among the measures called for by.
II /. & ms, =