The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-02-17
MR.. HARTER DECLINES.

Mr.. M. D. Harter, Of Mansfield declines to be
candidate for Governor, as will be seen by the
following letter to Hon. #. Fl. Hurd:
Mansfield, o, February Q, 1881,
"DEAR FBIEND-Your letter has had careful
consideration. can account for Your preference
for me and your faith In my being elected Gov.
ernor by the warm personal feelings you enter.
tain toward me; and l am greatly hattered to
know that your confidence Is shared by so many
Of our party friends at Washington.
"Our minority Is more apparent than real.
trust and the opportunity you suggest is Just,
such an one Rs would embrace II l were so
placed as to be able to do 80. would rather be
the Democratic candidate for Governor under
existing CifcumbtanCeR when o vigorous, open
and abOve-bORrd campaign may wrest success
from the arm Of defeat, than to make a canvass
when our purity is in positive and overwhelming
majority; but, and say 1t with genuine and sin
cere regret, my situation 10 such that must de-
cline seeking nomination which you think
might be mine without much contes'.
entertaining only reasonable regard for
those who are directly dependent on me, the sac.
rihce Of making such canvass as the interest Of
the party demands, or Of serving as Governor, II
elected, is greater one than dare make at the
present time, nor can do II with Justice to the
interests OF others associated with me In various
business operations To be the candidste Of the
narty In the struggle for the principles in which
believe as firmly as do in existence itself; and
above all, to be the leader in the initial fight
against tariff robbery and the party's champion
OF the rights OF the people against monopoly In
its worst f)rm, would be great honor; and the
more 80 becsuse have been consistent, though
humble, supporter Of this principle through evil
and through good report can not, therefore,
overstate my regret at being obliged to forego the
opportunity Of serving my party and my coun.
try, which $50 kindly and so fatteringly sug
getted to me.
"Our platform this fall should be very brief
very clear, and should call for Hard Money,
Home Rule and Tariff for revenue only Il
should denOunce the levyiDg Oftaxes upon one
class OF citizens for the benefit OF another class
and should lay down fearlessly the doctrine that
all taxes should be levied simply for the benefit
Of the Treasury, and that all other kinds are un.
Just, immoral, and crime against the rights OF
citizenship II we do this we shall deserve to
win, and we will win unless I greatly oVeresu
mate the intelligence OF the people Of Ohio, and
exaggerate their sense Of Justice. But II we lose,
have simply to say that would rather lcse
dozen elections In making an honest manly,
open fight for what we believe than to win by
lodging or double.dealing. Let us refuse to bid
for the Proteeu0nist vote, and devote our time
and efforts to convincing our opponents that lib.
eTty for trade and freedom for labor is the essence
OF liberty and the only American system" Re.
member, that most ProtectiOnists are honest men,
and are ProteotiOnists only because they have
never closely examined the question.
"Can any man doubt the result Of such fight Z
We must win with 1t In the end. and believe
the final victory will come earlier than most
men expect. It 10 certainly not too much to say
that every consistent Democrat myself among
that number will cheeFfulIy make every reason.
able sacrifice OF time and money to secure the
election Of candidate and the glorious triumph
Of Democratic principles In thanking you for
your kindness and good will In urging me for q
position Of such honor, permit me 10 express to
you the warm appreciation feel, In common
with all other Democrats, foe the gallant stand
you have maintained on all the vital doctriBes
Of our political faith. hope you will not con.
slider 1t troublesome II also ask you to convey
my thanks 10 those friends at Washington who
have 80 cordially rendered me their support Be-
lieve me TO be, what have been for many years,
sincerely your friend m. D. HARTER
"HoN. FRANK H. HURD, Washington, D. c."