The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-07-20
Governor COnnOr's Letter of Accept
ance.

AUGUSTA, July 10th, 1876.
Hon, W. Dr. Rust, President Republican State
Convention Belfast:
DEAR SIR:-In reply to your official notifica-
ton of the oath ult. shat the Convention held
at Bangor on the 22nd of June unanimously
nominated me for reelection to the office OF
Governor, hereby signify my acceptance of
the nomination and tender you my sincere
thanks for the courteous terms in which you
inform me of the action of the Convention.
1t is source Of the highest qualification to
me that the people of the State who placed me
in the position of honor l now hold, have by
their representatives, not only indicated their
approval OF the manner in which have thus
far performed my official duties by re-nomn
alton of so flatteIng a character, but have ex-
pressly declared it in a formal resolution. l
hold their good words in grateful keeping as
high reward for conscientious aim and effort,
and as constant stimulus to faithful service,
and desire to make known to them, through
you, my appreciation of the estimate they have
been pleased to place upon my conduct of the
trust committed to me.
The principles announced by the Convention,
and those referred to and adopted by it have
my unqualified concurrence. 1 am fully Of the
opinion that the traditional state policy, re-
affirmed by the Convention, could not be de-
parted from without detriment to the material
interests of the state and the happiness of the
people. The articles of political belief pro-
claimed by the Republican National Conven-
ton and accepted by the State Convention as
a correct statement of the principles of the
Republican party, clearly set forth the many
questions of great moment now confronting
the people and imposing on them the grave
responsibility of decision. Among them the
declarations regarding the nature and functions
of the national government are alone sufficient
to give distinctive and national character to
that party. The supremacy of the nation is
not laid down as mere abstract proposition,
but the argument is straightly drawn from it
that all the citizens of the Union are entitled
to protection from the power to which their
allegiance is primarily due. Add to these
declarations the resolutions favoring the earli-
est practical resumption of specie payment
against the dictation by Senators and Repre-
sentatives of appointments to office, engaging
to prosecute and punish all betrayals of official
trust, recommending an amendment to the
constitution Of the United States forbidding
the application of public funds to sectarian
schools, demanding the dedication of the pub
lie domain to free homes for the people, de-
claring for an adjustment of the customs du-
ties favorable to American labor, and the opin-
ions pronounced by the Convention upon other
questions of public interest.-and the service
which the Republican party proposes to rem
der the country is made apparent.
The fresh informing spirit and determine
ton now animating the people and consolidat-
ing them as when they bore the Union through
peril to safety, give unmistakable assurance
that they will make these principles the living,
force of their government and thus enter upon
the new century of the nations existence with
confidence that tranquility, prosperity and hap
piness will prevail throughout the country.
Very respectfully yours,
SELDEN CoNNoR