The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-08-24
Letter OF Acceptance Of the Democratic
Candidate for Governor.
AUGUSTA, Aug,

AUGUSTA, aug, 1851.
Gentlemen IL have received the communi-
Democratic Convention hold in Portland on
the fourteenth day of August, instant, inform
ing me of their action in selecting me to be
their candidate for Governor at the approach
ing election Of State officers, and transmitting
to me copy of the resolutions adopted by that
Convention.
For several years past it has appeared to me
TO be eminently true that the post of honor is q
private sta ton, and 1 have not at any time in
life courted or coveted a conspicuous position
10 which to attempt the performance of pub
JIG service; but readily acknowledge the duty
OF sacrinclng the somewhat selfish pleasures of
private life at call like this which you have
now made upon me, and with much diffidence
and self dIstrust. have decided to accept the
nomination rendered.
The first resolution in the series you have
submitted for my consideration has my ready
concurrence. By its comprehensive inclusion
of the platform adopted at the Democratic Ma
tiopal Convention held at st. Louis in June,
1876, it furnishes complete chart of funda-
mental principles as we'll as most stirring in
centives to the performance of the highest DO.
]ltical duties. 1t was this authentic and SOL
emn affirmation of political faith and this earn
est invocation to the country to begin the her.
culean task OF correcting abuses, purifying the
government restoring sound currency and re-
forming the civil service-measures the need of
which the Republicans themselves admitted,
but which they bad long neglected their oppor
tunitles to undertake, that led me to renew my
cooperation with the Democratic party from
which had been separated for twenty years.
On such a foundation OF principles for the ac-
complshment OF such important ends the
Democratic party may be proud to stand, until
through their own efforts, aided by the CO.
operation of all who can unite with them, the
fully established.
ln considering the secoud resolution you
have presented to me, nowhere find in it any
impeachment of the Presidents title to the
high office which he occupies, and have no
difficulty in according to it my full concurrence.
That title, though stoutly contested, was recog-
nized and became valid by the decision of a
tribunal which acted under the authority of q
law to which all parties and all the states
through their senators and representatives
assent. The fraud charged by that reso-
luton referred, as / understand the lam
guage used, to transactions which took place
10 the discharge of the functions of the
returning Boards OF Louisiana and other
ptates,-illegal and fraudulent acts within the
competency of those states, respectively, to
deal with, but which, in the view taken by the
electoral commission might have occurred as
illegal ard yet be beyond the range of their
jurisdiction to judicially determine.
The third resolution confirms nv under
standing of the scope and intent of the second,
as above expressed, containing as it does a
recognition of the wisdom of the President
southern policy, Which in turn is an admission
on his part of the soundness of the doctrine of
the Democratic party upon that subject. The
entire series of resolutions therefore, has my
unqualified approval.
have thus responded to the resolutions of
the Convention, and SIGHTED my acceptance
OF their nomination. Should a majority of
the electors call upon me to serve them, / shall
be most happy to study and promote the
welfare and prosperity of the whole State;
happy, too, If l might be instrumental in
aiding the. Democratic party to recover the
prestige OF former days, and revive the
memory of its ancient renown,
have the honor to remain,
Your Obedent Servant,
JOSEPH FL. WILLIAMS,