Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-05-11
Senator woodfu's Speech.

oGu8lOB " VOOh0 . 0ksNC(ss
Senator woodin. one of the New York del
ega,es to Chicago who will support Blaine,
made speech in the assembly the other day,
noticing a ne newspaper report that he had writ
ten to some person of purpose or pledge
made With other delegates $50 break the unit
rule and vote against Grant" He continued
a. follows:
| 1t seems incumbent upon me % contradict
this statement in the most unreserved man
ner possible. And can do 50 in no way
better than by repeating the substance Of
| letter which wrote 70 a friend and delegate
TO the Chicago Convention, who had ques-
| toned me in regard to this statement. nave
neither written nor spoken Of such pledge
| or purpose to any human being, nor has any
pledge promise or understanding been en-
tered into 10 nv knowledge. ] might with
propriety stop at this point but the subject Is
one of such vital importance to the country
and to the party with which ! have actea
s'without variableness or shadow Of turning
since its birth, that feel justified in declar-
ing without reserve the course which 1 shaii
pur.nc a. a delegate to the Chicago Conven-
| ton.
| I shall go there to represent and give voice
| To the wishes and sentiments of a constituent
" 20. ;~,aii;s,, o. a,,nest and natriotic as
a. 49,. - ,ha Conmonwealtb
.rha $500, S,.,s Convention held at Utica
,,a1 orr, ,,;..;oneJ me N represent that dis
| trict. Nv selection as a delegate was the act
| of the delegates representing my congress
sional District, and the Convention has ratl-
| fed and certified that act to the National
Convention The common law regulating
the rights, privileges and powers Of delegates
s.,,i.d and cannot become the subject of
cop,roversv ar discussion without challenging
on, 81 Tho Jeares, RIGHTS Of the American cit
;-en Orr commission. secure the right and
nn~.r m ar, and our conventions guarantee
fraodom ~ cbo;ce w;,bout restraint or letters.
I'M, rules and resolutions of instruction are
nnwerless IN control and sbould always be in
ternreted as simply and purely advisory. To
concede more would do violence to the prin-
CHILE OF REPRESENTATIONS Delegates represent
northumberland necessarily Conventions
and if bound by any instructions it must be
,uch IA they NAV derive from the constituent
cy. Their first duty is to ascertain the will
Of the constituency, and when learned, to re-
spect il and give it voice without doubt or
fear. ANY other rule of action exalts the
machinery of politics and the Vaccinations of
artful and ambitious politicians above princi-
ple.
Governed by this rule it is as easy to re-
fleet the popular will as under any other, it
is certain to disappoint it. What, then, is in
dicated as the sentiment of the republicans
of New York in regard to our nominee for
President: My own convictions are clear,
strong and unmixed without doubt. While
have the greatest admiration for the charac-
ter of General Grant, and cheerfully award
him all praise for his private virtues and pub
lie life, I view the possibility Of his nomina-
ton with no little concern. Not willing to
predict failure in the event of his nomina-