The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-04-22
HOYT & CO., Proprietors. ANDEt

right of the States to manage for themselves
their own internal affairs. Without this right
were fully protected and its maintenance guar
anteed, I wouldn't give cent for any victory
There is an alarming tendency just now to con-
solidate this government, to gather all the
power at Washington, to lessen more and more
the liberties of the States and make them de-
tendencies upon the great central power; Inns
must be checked, and that, too, promptly and
decisively, or the Republic is lost. have
letter from Mr.. William NJ. Evarts, of New
York. one of our purest and wisest men, in
which he ys:-"1 do not think there are 100
men in this country who realize how near we
are to complete change in the form of our
government" We are drifting toward des-
potism with rapidity and directness that can
not fail to alarm the people when it is made
plain to them. On this platform, then, with
its four cardinal points of honesty, concord,
the protection of all citizens in all their legal
rights and constitutional Republic, think
we should center the campaign"
A STRAIGHT DEMOCRAT CAN BE ELECTED.
REpoRTER-Do you think that a straight
democrat can be elected on this PLATFORM?
GEN. GoRDoN-I certainly do. 7 believe
that any man who has the confidence of the
people, standing upon this platform and
pledged to its support, would carry at least
two-thirds of the loyal voters Of this country:
T believe that two-thirds of the people of
America are opposed openly to the administra-
ton. There is hardly point in this platform
to which the radical party is not opposed. 1t
is opposed to honesty in the government, as
witness its shameless support of the carpet
bag rascals and its defended record of crime
and incompetency. 1t is opposed to reconcile
alton, because it lives on passion and prejudice
and because an inquiry into its policy, conduc-
ted quietly and peacefully, would overwhelm
it. 1t is opposed to constitutional liberty; its
ayowed purpose aud its ultimate object being
to ceutralize all power and rob the States of
their rights. Any good man in the North OF
West can be easily elected on this platform.
The republicans are hopelessly divided. do
not think I exaggerate the Importance OF this
division when say that fully half of the pres
ent republican party are to-day ready to follow
Schurz, Fenton, Bryant, Eyarts, Ferry, or who
soever is irrevocably opposed to third term
and to the administration wing of the party,
which is controlled by Butler, Morton, Conk-
ling, Logan and Edmunds.
THE FINANCIAL QUESTION.
REpoRrER-You have said nothing on the
financial question in your remarks. Do you
think that issue should be ignored
GEN. GoRDoN-I do. / do not think we
should let any collateral issue interfere with
the success of the four essential principles l
have laid down above. should favor treating
the financial question a. our national conven-
ton Just as the tariff issue was treated at Gin
cinnati Let it be left to the Congress to settle.
1t need not be made Presidential issue at all.
WILL NOT RUN FOR THE VICE Presidency.
REPoRrER-General Gordon, have seen
your name mentioned daily almost for the
past six months in connection with the Vice
Presidency. Will you allow the Use of your
name in that connection?
GEN GoRDoN-I will not, under any set of
circumstances. Even if l were nominated |
should withdraw my name. My reasons for
this statement, to-day made public for the first
time, are that believe that Southern man on
the ticket would weaken it. And as much as
personal ambition might tempt me to yield to
the partial suggestions of my friends, would
not for all the honors in the gift of the Ameri-
can people feel that had been the means of
diving one man from the support of that tick
ct on whose success depends the future peace
and prosperity of my country. 1 have but one
object-that is the re-establishment of harmo-
ny, of good will and of good government. To
this end all things also shall be secondary.