The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-09-10
Uolitital.
GENERAL ROsECRANs' LETTER.
Declining the Democratic Nomination
FOR Governor OF Ohio,

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Corkle, presented me your letter and very
friendly notes from Senators Thurman and
Casserly, announcing my unanimous nomi-
nation by the Democracy of Ohio as their
candidate for Governor in the pending cleo.
toral canvass for State officers, and / have
carefully read and considered them. !
have likewise conversed with Gov. Haight,
who takes great interest in the consolida-
ton Of tho Democratic organization in Ohio
on that basis Of constitutional freedom and
progress which, in the past, gave unity to
q party. that has governed the country for
more than two-thirds of the period OF our
national existence, and originated, or car
ried into successful execution, nearly all the
great measures which form epochs in our
history. ..|
Grateful for the honor of this nomination
by the Democracy Of my native state, 7
much regret that imperious duties compel
me to decline the canvass, as | telegraphed
you yesterday.
Yielding to none in sincere devotion to
Democratic representative government, of
which / consider our own the best model
the world has yet seen, at nearly fifty, with
some knowledge OF men and some expert.
ence in governing them, ] am still n Demo
crat from study, conviction, and a senti-
ment Of brotherhood with my iellow-men.
], therefore, deem IL a duty, under the cir
cumstances of this nomination, to make a
few suggestions as to the fundamental priu-
ciples which, I think, ought TO underlie
every local democratic platform.
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 self-government and progress nm
der institutions based on the great princi-
pies of liberty, fraternity and equality be-
fore the law, and its courage in carrying
the logic of its faith into action. Hence
arose that discipline, order and progressive
originality which have marked its history
and made its victorious banner the symbol
Of hope 10 lovers Of freedom ut home and
abroad, while in the nature Of things IL
became the mllying point of ofice-seekers,
whose timid and time-serving counsels
sometimes impaired the energy Of its
action aud prevented tho vigorous devel-
opment Gifts principles.
Bat after u great civil war, which has
changed Ito face Of politics, the instructive
democracy of the American people remains,
and the events Of the war have increased
its confidence in free institutions, and in
the capacity of the people 10 adapt them
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Of dreamers after imperialism or consolida-
ton; in spite of those whose only political
principles are the apparent exigenoies OF
the hour, who, knowing that civilized man
must hRvo government, are always contriy-
ing tricks aud schemes to make themselves
the favored few ordained TO govern, and be
paid forit; in spite of those who consider
Il a weak aud failing experiment, the heart
of the great body Of our people beats
warmly, aud its Judgment moves instinct
with its old democratic feelings and conyic.
tons.
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 aud free country, and Mt the propeI
times and places announcing such meas
ures Of policy based on them rs the ext
gencies OF the nations life and action may
require.
The country requires, and the democratic
party ought TO be n party Of principle, q
party of life, of action and of progress.
fossils" and fault-duders do not properly
belong TO the party, and, If found in Il
ought 10 60 on the retired list.
Leaving TO |itsopponents of all shades and
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all monopolios and hvOritism based on
class, creed, race, color or national 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 country.
A fact Of ouy history, expressed on our
coat Of arms by the words H. PltriJuS
Umua-many in ole-is that we have
grown "many' distinct substantially self
governing communities under zone" coun-
try or general sovereignty. To cease to be
"many, or to be tone" would interrupt
this law Of our historic lite. The self-goy.
eminent of the people by States and the
unity of the nation are essential laws OF
our past growth Of life, Of which our writ
ten Constitution Is but the formed express
sion, and must DO fundamental with the
National Democracy, whose policy must be
broad enough and wide enough to maintain
the one without weakening tho other.
IL is the combined action of these two
principles which gives our democratic rep.
resentOtive system its power OF expansion,
and makes 1t work to the wonder and ad.
miration Of European statesmen and phi,
losophers. Leaving the rights of seli-gov.
eminent 10 the peop'e, and removing from
the States all the burdens Of armies, M,
vies, lines OF Notifications, diplomatic rep
resentatives, coinage, postal systems, anG
that host of officials which substract from
productive industry, and devour its pro
ducts in the States of Europe; il frees com
merce and travel from varying standards o
weights, measures and values, from Stat,
tariffs, passports and spying oficialism, ant
provides that the citizens Of one State MAJ
obtain redress or payment Of claims from
those of another, without the intermediate
operations and delays of diplomacy by tht
intervention OF courts of law.
Based on these laws of our life an(
growth, and repudiating the doctrine tina
might makes right American democrac!
holds that liberty consists in the obedi
ence of all Just laws. That these law.
should be the fewest and simplest possible
leaving the utmost individual freedom o
thought and action consistent with equR
rights and impartial justice, and where in
dividual action must be regulated by laws
seeking always 1.-the greatest good to th
greatest number"
This is the democracy / believe in, an
to which | am proud to belong.
Permit me, therefore, to include anon
the measures called for by the present eS
igencies, the following, in reference to, on
public debt; currency; revenue and proteC
ton class legislation office and tenuref
executive patronage; suffrage, and the cat
Gus system.
!. The enormous interest on our publ
debt is producing the most fearful inequa
tiles in the distribution of capital, bringin
the Government into the market as q DO.
rover nc an average Of ll4 per cent. pS
annum currency interest 1880 per cent
! premium on the coin 1850, exemption irol
taxation 2;i0-ll;5 go per cent. to compel
with private borrowers, and, moreover, 81
!, ing 10 bankers, holding its bonds, not on
: this interest, but the right to issue notes G
, their credit, and use them as money ind.