The Republican journal., 1874-08-27
Hon. Bion Bradbury's Letter Of Ac-
ceptance,
PORTLAND. Aug. II. 1874.

PORTLAND. Aug. Il, 1874.
Gentlemen-I have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt Of your commune
cation advising me of my nomination as a
candidate for Congress for the First Con-
gressional District of Maine.
1t would be atl'ectation in me to say that
this mark ofconlidencc is not grateful to
me; and, in the present condition Of pub
lie affairs, do not feel at liberty to dc
cline the part assigned to me
as have not sought or desired this
nomination, so the support may receive
must proceed from the free and unbiased
suffrage of my fellow citizens. The de-
moralizing and degrading practice Of the
corrupt use Of money in the popular cleo
lions, is one OF the serious evils Of the
times, and should be discomtenanccd by
all parties Upon the education Of the
people, and the freedom and purity of the
ballot, depends the perpetuity of Ameri
can liberty. Defeat is more honorable
than success achieved by votes coerced or
bought The time was, when to offer or
receive money for a vote, consigned the
parties TO public scorn May that period
soon return when it can with truth, be
said, corruption wins not more than
honesty" Let the example Of one pure
election be set, here and now ann con-
tident | express the sentiments of those
who have placed me in nomination, when
| declared that they have no other appeals
TO make to the voters of the district than
those addressed to their reason and patri
otism. The first step towards reform is
to purify the fountain head Of all political
power.
accept this nomination ut period OF
unusual interest in public affairs and in an
extraordinary condition of political par
ties. The course Of public events has re-
Nived questions rs to the practical admin
istration of the government OF vital consc-
quence to the people and reaching to the
fundamental principles of our free instl-
tutions. The war for the national life. re-
curing the resort to unusual methods of
Legislative and executive action, disturb
ing all the national industries, dcranging
the currency, accommodating an immense
debt, requiring vast expenditures, carried
disorder into every branch Of the public
service. Nine Years have elapsed since
the close Of that terrible struggle, and the
work OF restoring the government TO its
true constitutional relations and TO wise
principles OF administration is incomplete
The management OF the public debt, tho
resumption OF specie payments, the meth
DDS of taxation, the adjustment OF the
national industries are delicate matters,
still requiring the exercise Of the highest
wisdom. The habit OF lavish cXprndi-
turc generated by the war. still exists
The corruption which coniesscdly has
permcated nearly every branch OF the
government, still holds high carnival
a rancorous partisanship still maintains
lis aScendancy and the public treasure and
the public officers arc held in the interest
OF faction.
five look towards the capitol Of the
nation for light and guidance, we find the
President and Congress at issue upon the
question OF the currency The dominant
party in Congress, abandoning its nation
al platform. has ceased TO he 4 unit in its
measures and policy and is hopelessly di-
idcd The Democratic minority is in
the same disunitcd condition. When the
''Crcdit Nobilier" frauds came to the
light, men holding positions in the Demo
cratic party were implicated. Democrat
ir members Of Congress voted for the
salary grab Imitation found advocates
in the Democratic ranks.
What. them is to be done There is
hnt one course to be pursued. The peo-
pie in their primary meetings and in their
conventions. describing al false guides,
must revert to the fundamental principles
of the government. declare those prnci-
pies to be the basis of their future action.
and stand hy them until they prevail
1t gives me great satisfaction to know
Al.
sonal District have determined upon this
line of action, haze made their declaration
cf principles and "avOw themselves ready
10 cooperate with all citizens in 4 COM
mon movement tor government reform.
In this movement for reform il must be
kept fresh in memory. that we live under
Il written constitution defining and limit
ing the powers of the national govern
ment, while all other political power is re-
served to the people of the States. The
strict and faithful observance of the pro-
visions Of the constitution is essential to
the peace ami harmony olthe States and
the people 1t must not be regarded as
wax to be made to assume the form which
successful partiZanship may desire to give
it. but rs adamant to remain unchanged
except by the free viii of the people, cX-
pressed under the forms Of law Every
measure proposed should be brought TO
the test OF the constitution. No doubtful
power should be exercised.
With sacred adherence to the consti-
tuition, the government must be conduct
ed in 4 patriotic, liberal and generous
spirit-a spirit Of Cancellation, of modcr
alton, of candor, of charity and Of equal
and exact justice to all-not for party.
but tor the people, so that local discon-
tents and sectional jealousies may not
arise, and thus the bond of national union
be made so strong as to be understandable
The interests of all must be consulted, re-
conciled and provided for, as far as posi-
bic, that all may perceive the benefits Of
an united government.
In this spirit the resolutions adopted by
the convention demand the exercise of a
rigid economy i'll the place Of the present
reckless and wasteful extravaganza hon
esty instead of fraud and corruption local
self government to counterfeit the mani
fest tendency OF the times to central con-
soldation, and to check the usUrpations of
the national government; freedom Of
trade, unencumbered by unnecessary and
oppressive burdens, that our commerce
the globe, and the consequent demand for
ships restore to prosperity the great ship
building interests of the country which
had broken down under protective tariff ;
a revenue tariff that all the great industri-
al interests may equally share the bur
thens of taxation, and that agriculture
manufactures and commerce, left to their
free and natural development, each in its
proper sphere may contribute to the
country's wealth and greatness; q sound
currency, coin, and paper convertible into
coin, on demand, that the values of pro
perty and the earnings of labor may be
steady and sure, that purchases ard sales
at home and abroad may be made by the
| same standard and at Just and equal
prices and the business of the people be
relieved from these ruinous fluctuations
which benefit only the class Of specula-
tors; the adopting OF measures tending
to the carly resumption of specie pay
mcnts, that on standard of value may