The New York herald., 1876-09-20
ROBINSON ACCEPTS.

ROBINSON ACCEPTS.
DEFINES HIS OWN POSITION AND THAT OF HIS
PARTY
ALBANY, Sept 10. 1870
Pursuant to the action OF the Democratic State Con-
vention nominating Hon. Lucius Robinson for Gov.
ernor tho following correspondence has taken place.
ALBANY, Sept IL. 1876.
Hon LucIus ROBINSON
DEAR SiR--rhe undersigned committee, appointed
by the Democratic state Convention at Saratoga, We'd
ncsday September l3, To notify you oi your unanimous
nomination by that body for the olcc OF Governor and
request your acceptance thereof herewith discharge
that duty and respectfully await your response Re-
specttully yours, &c.
THOMAS KINsELLA, s b. HALLIDAY,
CALVIN FROST, WILLIAM PURCELL,
d. MAGoNE, JR., Il. W. CHAMBERLAIN,
K. W. PECkHAM JAMES McQUADE
MR. RoBIssoS's REPLY.
ALBANY, Sept l6, 1876.
GESrLRMEN:-I have the honor TO acknowledge tho
receipt OF your favor OF the 14th instant informing
OF my nomination for the oico OF Governor by the
Democratic state Convention, and requesting my
No one could regret moro sincerely than l did the
circumstances which compelled the distinguished
statesman who was the. first choice OF the Convention
to decline the nomination. For myself | neither
sought nor desired 1t. But l have always held lhat
under our form OF government, II citizen Is sum-
moned by the people to tho public SERVICE 1t Is his
duly to obey unless prevented by obstacles which
not be overcome l. therefore, accept the nomn alton
with grateful appreciation Of the honor conferred
upon me by the Convention.
Every year OF my lie has been spent within tho
State OF New York. have at one time another Wis
tied every county in II; have known much OF It's va
rious business interests and have passed many years
IN us puolic service | am not, therefore, unac-
quainted with the duties and responsibilities which
rest upon its chef magistrate.
If all branches OF business prosperous and
people happy and contented. with steady employment
Office in the State might well be received with some
degree Of exutation But in view OF the widespread
distress which actually exists, the uncertainty TO
tho uture, The thousands OF Industrious men seeking
employment and nndng none, It IS impossible to con-
template the prospect without the deepest anxiety.
War and an inflated aud deprecated paper currency
two OF the worst evils which afct any nation.
Fifteen years ago both OF these evils fell upon this coun
try at the same time. The waste and destruction OF
impoverished the country, wpIe the inflated cur
rency concealed the truth and gave fae appearance
Of prosperity and wealth Prices, but not values,
enormously. Tho wages OF labor weae nominaly IN
creased, while In purchasing power they wero actually
reduced Dcluded by false appearances both the people
and the governments rushed into cxravagant expendi-
tures wild speculatons loose and luxurious habits Of
living, followed naturally by the frauds and cOrrup-
tions recently revealed throughout the country, and
especially at the seat OF the general government
The result Is what thoughtful men foresaw and pro-
dicted from tho beginning II has brought total ruin
to thousands loss OF employment TO hundreds OF thou
sands has nlled our aims houses, prisons and in
sane asyums with the victims OF vicious financial
policy. This policy was excused at tho outset as War
necessity without stopping 10 discuss that question,
closed lhero apology le Tor tho continuance OF
tho evil Yet, through eleven years of undisturbed
peace the system has been carried undor the foster
ing care of the government, with effort
change 1t or modify its disastrous consequences Now
that those consequences arc falling heavily upon US all
admit the necessity Of change and reform
How can this be Accomplishment Can anything DO
hoped from tho party III powery After pursuing this
false system through four years of eleven
years OF peace. will they now reform hY Was It
heard that any political party, after enjoying unim
ted power Tor fifteen years, with all its patronage,
abusa m med tspi
and corrected its own bad habtsY II seems to me
that intelligent men can have no hope In that direc
ton. And this raiscs the issue TO bo submitted TO tho
people their decision at the approaching election
The democratic party say. Stop now, reduce expenses
and tho burdens Of TAXATION reform and begin better
lie. The party IN power ask for to enable
them TO run ON Tor tour years more In the Same road
to rum.
The friends OF reform have chosen for their leader
of ability and moral courage, who has proved
his fitness Tor tho service, who's. vigorous blows have
broken in pieces the pundering combinations IN New
York city and upon the State canals, reducing very
largely expenses and taxation, and enforcing honest
administration, and whose hopes for honorable
place history OF his country all stakcd upon
his carrying out with fidelity and energy, tho samo
reforms in the general Mt which nave been of
such beneny 10 our own State AL who know him
know the work which he has done will need
that he will not alter in tho discharge OF his
great duty
This Will not bo an easy task for any one For the
party power IL will DO impossible. They cannot
como down from their bad emincnce to learn that,
however they may disregard other laws. they must
submit the laws OF nature and tho laws OF trade;
that must produce more than VIC consume; that wo
must pay Obligations In real aud not fictitious
values; mat VIC must live within our means; that We
export more than we import: that statutes Will
pay debts: that an army OF useless officials must
be dismisscd; tnat extravagant expenditures,
both pubic ana private, must give place
to frugalty and rigid economy. Tho road
will 6c too rough and unpleasant They
will travel in And yet IL Is the way. and the
only way, out OF the difficulties which surround us.
BY following IL with patience aud perseverance, wo
shall due time receive our reward IN The resumption
specie payments not by act of Congress alone, but
in obedience to the laws OF trade; IN the rcesablish
mcnt Of steady and substantial prosperity with ac-
tivty In all branches OF industry with full employ
ment for laDoring men, with revived and prosperous
trade, both at homo and abroad
Which road shall takeY Every person In the
country Interested the decision OF this quest
II Is tho people to apply their sober judgment TO IT,
and decide 1t As they believe to be right.
From what have already said 1t Will DO understood
that fully approve the resolutions adopted by tho
national affairs. With reference to the resolutions
concerning Tho canals 1t may be proper that should
be specific. IL was never intended that the
canals should DO source OF revenue to the State.
Neither was intended that they should be supported
by direct taxation. The provisions Of tho constitu-
ton requiring them TO pay Tor themselves arc very
stringent and explicit So long they
able comply with them always insisted that they
should do But recent Is have changed their
condition that they cannot do It. In discussing tins
subject in the Constitutional Commission in 1873
the ground that what remained OF the canal debt
must from necessity be ultimately paid by taxation. All
be reasonably hoped tor Is that they shall
pay their own running expensca With the exlraordi-
nary increase OF railroad facilities and the moro extra
ordinary composition between the railroads for tho
carrying trade, II is evident that there be in
OF tolls BY carrying out ully the reforms
and rigid economy naugurated by Governor Tlden,
believe that the expenses may be reduced below
ST. O00 0CO per year. and that the tolls may then be
still further reduced and long the present state
OF things continues am In favor OF the lowest OF
tolls which VIII meet the current expenses without
taxation
Thanking you, gentlemen, for tho courteous manner
In which you have performed your duty, am, with
great respect, your obedicnt servant,
LUCfUS ROBINSON
To Messrs JouN KELLY. THOMAS KrSsELLA, CALVIN
FRosT, ID. MAGoNE, Jr., X. W. PEcKnAM. T. j. CAMP
BELL, s. u. HALLIDAY, WILLIAM PURCELr. 4. W.
CHAMBERLAIN and JAMES McQUADE, committee, &c.
NEW HAMPSHIRE DEMOCRATS.