The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-09-14
GENERAL ROsECRANs, LETTER
Declining the Dem Ocratic NOmi.
nation for Governor Of Ohio.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, August 8, 1869.
/ GENTLEMEN On my arrival in thi.
city, returning from Mexico, Mayor Nc
Coppins, Hon. Sam'l Butterworth ant
Judge McCorkle, presented me your let
ter and very friendly notes from Sena
tors Thurman and Casserly, announcing
my unanimous nomination by the De
inocracv of Ohio as their candidate fo
Governor in the pending electoral can
vass for State Officers, and have care
fully considered them. l have likewise
conversed with Gov. Haight, who take;
great interest in the consolidation of the
Democratic organization in Ohio on thai
basis of constitutional freedom and pro
gress which, in the past, gave unity to g
party that has governed the country fol
more than two-thirds of the period OF
our national existence, and originated
or carried into successful execution, near.
ly all the great measures which form
epochs in our history.
Grateful for the honor of this nomi-
nation by the Democracy Of my native
State, I much regret that imperious du,
ties compel me to decline the canvass, as
l telegraphed you yesterday.
Yielding to none i'll sincere devotion
to democratic representative government
of which l 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, convic-
ton, and sentiment of brotherhood
with my fellow-men. l, therefore, deem
it duty, under the circumstances of
this nomination, to make few sugges-
tons as to the fundamental principles
which, think, ought to underlie every
local Democratic platform.
What of old gave the Democratic par
ty in the United States its prestige and
spirit was its profound faith lin the ca
pacity of man for self-government 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,
ton. Hence arose that discipline, order
and progressive originality which have
marked its history and made its victori-
Gus banner the symbol Of hope to lovers
Of freedom at home and abroad, while in
the nature of things 1t become the rally
Ing point of office-seekers and political
adventures, whose timid and time-serv-
ing counsels sometimes impaired the en-
ergy of its action and prevented the Wig
orous development of its principles.
But after great civil war, which has
changed the face of politics, the instinct
i've Democracy of the American people
remains, and the events of the war have
increased its confidence in free institu-
tons and in the capacity of the people
to adapt them to the exigencies of ma
tional life. In spite Of dreamers after
Imperialism or consolidation; in spite of
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
consider it weak and failing expert
ment, the heart Of the great body Of our
people beats warmly, and it's judgment
moves instinct with its old Democratic
feelings and convictions.
Appeal should, therefore, be made to
these instincts and convictions by assert
ing fundamental principles which ought
to govern the future developments of
this great and free country, and at the
proper times and places announcing
such measures of policy based on them
as the exigencies of the nations life and
action may require.
The country requires, and the Demo
cratic party ought to be party of prin-
ciple, party of life,. of action, and of
progress. "Fossils" and fault finders do
not properly belong to the party, and, if
found in it, ought to go on the retired
list.
Leaving to its opponents of all shades
and grades all narrow and sectional
grounds, all monopolies and favoritism
based on class, creed, race, color, or ma
tional origin, the Democratic party of
the United States ought to hold high the
banner Of universal freedom, impartial
justice and equality before the law of all
who live beneath the flag of our eoun-
try. aa#
A fact of our history, expressed on