Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-08-30
Letter Of Acceptance Of the Dsmoerat-
&c Candidate for Governor.

AUGUSTA. August 20, is17s.
Geutiemen.-I have received the oommuni-
cation addressed 10 me by you. IN bchaf Of the
DcmoArAtic Convention held in Portland GU
the fourteenth dAy OF August. instant, inform
in2 me Of their sction In securing me 10 BE- their
candidate Tor Governor nj the Approschiax
election Of state officers. and Transmitting 10
me copy OF the resolutions adopted BY that
convention.
For several yesrs past it ha. appeared 70 me
10 be eminently true that the post Of honor Is
private station, and have not NJ any time In
lie courted OF coveted = conspicuous po&iuSo
in which TO attempt the performance Of public
service bui readily AcknoWsedge the daily Of
sscrincing the somewhat selfish pleasures OF
private life 81 = call like this which you have
now made upon me, and with much dididence
and self-distrust have decided 10 accep: the
nomination rendered.
The first resolution in the serie. you have
submitted for my consideration. has my ready
concurrence. By its comprehensive inclusion
of the platform adopted al the Democratic Nat
ional Convention held at 81. Louis In June,
! 1916, II furnishes complete chart OF funda-
mental principles as well As most stirring in
/ centiyes 10 the performance Of the highest po-
lItieal duties. 1t was this authentic and solemn
affirmation OF political faith aud this earnest in-
vocation TO the country 10 begin the herculesn
task OF correcting, abuses, purify ing the govern
ment, restoring sound currency and REFORM
ing the civil seryice-measures the need of
which Republicans themselves admitted, but
which they had long neglected their opportuni-
I ties 10 undertake, that led me to renew my CO.
operation with the Democratic party from
which bad been separated for twenty years.
On such foundation Of principles for the &C.
complshment of sach important ends, the Dem
ocratic party may be proud 10 stand, until
through their own efforts, aided by the cooper
alton Of all who can unite with them. the bene-
tcent reforms they have at heart shall be fully
established.
In cSnsideratfng the second resolution you
have presented TO me. nowhere ind in IL any
impeachment Of the Presidents title 10 the high
| ONCE which he occupies. and have no difficult
" in according to II my full concurrence. That
! title, though stoutly contested, was recognized
and became valid by the decision Of a tribunal
which acted under tbs authority Of q law TO
which all parties and all the States through
their Senators and Representatives in Congress
had gwen their deliberate assent. The fraud
charged by that resolution referred. as UNDER
stand the language used, TO transactions which
took place in the discharge Of the functions OF
the Returning Boards OF Louisiana and other
s,ates-iiegal and fraudulent acts within the
competency Of those States, respectively, to
deaf with, but which, in the view taken BY the
electoral commission might nave occurred as
Illegal and yet be beyond the range OF their ju-
Induction 70 judicially determine.
The thlrGresolution confirms my understand
ing OF the scope and intent oftbe End. Us above
expressed, containing Is IL does . recognition
OF the wisdom OF the Presidents southern poll
ey, which 10 turn Is an admission on his part
Of the soundness Of the doctrines Of the Demo
cratic party upon that subject. The entire Sc
ries OF RESOLUTIONS therefore, has my unqualified
approval.
have thus responded to the resolutions of
the Convention, aud signifed my acceptance of
their nomination. Should q majority Of the
electors call upon me 70 ssrye them. shall be
most happy to study and promote lths welfare
and prosperity OF whole State happy, too, If |
might be instrumental in aiding the Democrat
lc party TO recover the prestige Of former DAYS,
and revive the memory Of its ancient renown.
have the honor 10 remain,
Your obedient servant,
- JOSEPH II. WILLIAMS.
Messrs. Richard ID. Rich, Edmund Wilson, Ar.
thur Sewal, Committee.
The above letter of acceptance of Judge
Williams is most remarkable production
and shows that Its author is far above the
Average Democrat, who generally is prone
to swallow platforms and nominations with
out scruple or hesitation.
The reasons assigned for bis abandon
ment Of the Republican party are doub tless
satisfactory to himself and will also be to
the party whom he addresses. Republicans
however, will be likely to ask how It was
in entering on this very ''herculean task
OF correcting abuses and purifying the gov.
ernment." they should be deserted by him,
aud If his worthy sims could not have been
more directly accomplished by working
with them. than by allying himself to their
enemies.
The admission. that the Presidents title
to his high Office is undoubted. Is credlta-
BILE 10 Judge Williams and 10 another proof