Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1869-09-25
Gen. Rosecrans's Letter.
SAN Francisco CALIFORNIA,
Aug. Sth, 1869.

GENTLEMEN On my arrival in this
city, returning from Mexico, Mayor
McCoppin, Hon. Samuel Butterworth,
and Judge McCorkle, presented me your
letter and very friendly notes from Sena-
tors Thurman and Casserly, announcing
my unanimous nomination by the Demo
cracy of Ohio, as their candidate for
Governor in the pending electoral canvass
for State officers, and / have carfully
read and considered them.
] have likewise converted with Gov.
Haight, who takes great interest in the
consolidation of the Democratic organ
ization in Ohio, on that bassis of con-
stiutional freedom and progress which,
in the past, gave unity to party that
has governed the country for more than
two-thirds of the period of our national
existence, and originated, or carried into
successful execution nearly all the great
measures which form epochs in our his
tory.
Grateful for the honor of this nomina-
ton by the Democracy of my native
State, must regret that imperious
duties COMPEL me to decline the canvass,
as telegraphed you yesterday.
Yielding to none in sincere devotion
to the Democratic representative govern
ment, of which consider our own the
best model the world has yet seen, at
nearly fifty, with some knowledge OF
men, and some experience in governing
them, am still Democrat, from study,
conviction, and a sentiment of brother.
hood with my fellow men.
therefore deem it duty, under the
circumstances of this nomination, to
make few suggestions as to the funda.
mental principles which l think ought to
underlie every local Democratic plat
form.
What of old gave the Democratic
party in the United States its prestige
and spirit, was its profound faith in the
capacity of men tor selfgovernment and
progress, under institutions based on the
great principles of liberty, fraternity and
equality before the law, and its courage
in carrying the logic of its faith into ac.
tion. Thence arose that discipline
order and progressive originality which
have marked it's history, and made its
victorious banner the symbol of hope to
lovers OF freedom at home and abroad,
while, in the nature of things, it became
the rallying point of office-seekers and
political adventures, whose timid and
timeserving counsels sometimes impaired
the energy of it's action, and prevented
the vigorous development of its princi
Piles.
But after great civil war which has
changed the face of politics, the instinc'
tive Democracy of the American people
remains, and the events of the war have
increased its confidence in free institu.
tions and in capacity of the people to
adapt them to the exigencies of a ma
tional life. In spite of dreamers after
imperialism or consolidation, in spite oi
those whose only political principles are
the apparent expediencies of the hour
who, knowing that civilized man must
have government, are always contriving
tricks and schemes to make themselves
the favored few, ordained to govern and
be paid for it, in spite of those who con
slider it a weak and feeble experiment
the heart of the great body of our people
beats warmly, and its judgment moves
instinctively with its old Democratic feel
ings and convictions.
Appeals should therefore be made tC
these Instincts and convictions by assert
ing fundamental principles which ough,
to govern the future development of thi,
great and free country, and at the propel
times and places, announcing such meas
ures of policy based on them as the ex
igenciss OF the nations life and actor
may require.
The country requires, and the Demo
cratic party ought to be, party of prin
ciple, party of life, of action and O
progress. "Fossils" and fault-fnders dc
not properly belong to the party, and i
found in it, ought to go on the retired
list.
Leaving to its opponents of all shades
and grades, all narrow and sectiona
grounds, all monopolies and tavoritisn
based on class, creed, Race, color, or Ma
tional origin, the Democratic party o
the United States ought to hold high tn
banner Of universal freedom, impartica