Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1873-10-04
Political Address.

FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY OF
| LAKE: fs zsz=s = s
My name having been frequently pre-
sented in Conventions for nomination to
| the Office of Representative in the Ohio
Legislature, during the last thirty ears,
and never, by my consent, TO the people,
by the urgent solicitations of men from
all political parties, 1 have been induced
| to allow it to be added in the list of cam
| didates for that office in the ensuing elec-
| ton. Without the prestige of party
| nomination, unaided by cIiques, clans,
classes, caucuses or rings. hereby offer
| my services in this capacity. with alively
sense of the obligations that will rest up
on me, in the event of. my election, faith
| fully and acceptably, to serve this intelli-
gent and patriotic constituency with due
regard for their local and general inter-
ests. The political status of candidate
| occupying this independent position, will
necessarily evoke criticism and inquiries
| which am ever ready and willing to an
| swer. Having differed with the Demo-
cratic party upon measures of State and
National policy, and not according with
| majority of Republicans in the last Presi-
Dental canvass, 1 appeal in good faith to
| men of every shade of political opinion,
and my only pledge is life of continuous
labor. My only promise is to follow my
| convictions of right.
| When, a ter many years of untiring eff
tort In the Anti-slavery and Republican
| parties, we had arrived at that glorious
era in which the equality of all men be-
| fore the law was proclaimed and acknowl-
! edged by all parties, 1t is not credible that
the faithful few Liberals who sought to in
troduce measures of reform by abandon
ing effete and worn out issues, burying To-
cal resentment with the fetters of the
slave, by the peaceful graves of our hero
ic soldiers, and attending to the real in
terests of the whole country, thereby de-
parted from Republican principles, or that
they were impelled by mercenary mo-
tives. Nor is there sufficient reason to
distrust the integrity of the mass of Re-
publican voters in this county with whom
they have labored so long. Let all othe.
men determine whether we have acted in
good faith. The future Will develop the
right or wrong of precOnceived opinions.
Other and important questions are before
us. Not the formers alone, but every in
dustrial pursuit demands that the thor
oughfares of intestate commerce be not
obstructed by the unreasonable exactions
of burthensome monopolies; that every
interest have its true weight in the scales
of justice; that the people be relieved
from the unreasonable and unnecessary
burthens of taxation; that labor be ell.
couraged and protected in the develop
ment of our vast resources; and, in few
words, that such measures of state and
national policy be adopted as will ulti-
mate In the greatest good to all. Without
appealing to the passions or prejudices OF
my ieliow-citizens, or indulging in crimi-
nation or recrimination, upon parties or
candidates; believing that measures of
Improvement III systems and reform in
practice are requisite in our own State,
and may be promoted by judicious legis-
lation, | hereby recognize the right Of our
citizens to demand of me, il elected, an
honest account and fair return for the
honor conferred and the responsibility
thereby imposed. Trusting there will be
a full expression of the people at the polls,
/ contide in their judgment aud will most
cheerfuily acquiesce in their decision.
Very respectfully,
REUBEN p. HARMON.
Kirkland, Lake Co., O., Sept. 20, 1873,