The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-08-11
1ErrER on AooEpTANoH.
1SpRINaFrRI,n. O. Julv %. Is


"SpRNaF1ELD, O., July 25, 1881.
" To James B. Steedman, ESan 3. Williams and
Allen O'Mey,rs, Columbus, o.:
"SlRs-Your letter of the 14th inst. was duly
received, informing me of my nomination by
the Democratic Convention for the Office Of
Governor of Ohio. To say that am deeply
sensible of the honor your Convention has
conferred on me would be to express very lmper-
fectly the feeling with which regard your
1t is at once an honor and o
by which no man can fail to be
greatly impressed to be chosen as the standard
bearer of party which has been led, and
glorious1y led, in its past conflicts BY the wlsest
and Oldest statesmen of the time. can not
hope to bring to the task the same measure OF
wisdom, skill and eloquence which they have
displayed. But. happily the greatness OF the
party, and the cause which it represents,
must, In any ease, oyershadow the personal
attributes Of its candidate, whether they be OF
the highest or humblest order and on accept
ing, as do, this trust at yof1r hands, rely for
success, not any talent OF my own, but
upon the Inherent and persistent force OF
Democratic principles, and the zeal and fidelity
in their defense which the Democratic party OF.
Ohio has manrfestiy displayed.
"The platform adopted by your Convention
has received my attentive consideration, and In
the, spirit and substance Of its utteranees I
most heartily concur. It embodies, In my
opinion, reforms for which there is an imper-
atiye demand in the character and scope Of our
Legislative policy, and the objects and purposes
for which the Government 10 administered.
Unless these reforms are accomplished, We
must drift further and further from the true
"Legislation, which should be directed solely
and strictly to the interests of the many, tends
more and more in these times toward subser-
vience to the few. No doubt this VIII exist In
all communities, and has its source indie
own State, and under the auspices of the party
in power, it has become more dangerously prev
alent than ever before. 1t is belief to which
have ever adhered, and have often given ex-
preston, that functions of government should
In no case be exercised on behalf Of any section
or class to the detriment of any other still less
it is justified in yielding them to the service OF
corporations andpowerful monopolies intrench-
ed in their own wealth and abundantly ca
pable Of self protectection, as against the mass
Of the people, and particularly the agricultural
and mechanical classes They have no concen-
tration or organization, and none but numerl-
cal power, and their sole defence and safe
guard against aggression and wrong lies In the
fidelity Of their representatives.
"Among many cases in pointt the management
of the convict labor of the State, to which your
platform alludes, is notew worthy one, and here
as elsewhere q reform is plainly called for, to
the end that the Government OF the State, Il
It cannot directly aid the laboring classes, shall
not present itself in the character Of their en-
1.-THE fifth resolution Of your platform re-
letes to q question of vital interest, and ex-
presses in brief and plain terms opposition to
legislation of q merely sumptpary character.
This, if understand it rightly, does not imply
hostility to rational and practical measures for.
the abatement of any Of the evils with which
society is afflicted. 1t may be well, however, to
remember that in free country the object Of
all law is the maintenance and not the abridge-
ment of the rights of. the citizens. The at
tempt to govern too much or too minutely in
these particulars must inevitably defeat its own
end. Sis y ~. tllz
"The preservation Of social order and the
wholesome restraint and control of the ele-
ments of danger to q community which can
not be wholly removed, are objects eminently
desirable in themselves, possible of attainment
and properly within the scope of constitutional
legislation It is much to be deplored that all
well-disposed citizens, including those at OPP
posite extremes on this question, can not be
brought upon q common ground for the ac-
complishment of what is or ought to be q
common object
"The proper adjustment of thetarif system
of the country is q matter which grayely Affects
the welfare of our own and every other State.
Viewed only in an economic Light, civilization
Is but the development and organization of
varied industrial pursuits, and it has come to
be regarded as almost an axiom in political
economy that the prosperity and maintenance
of any special industry is dependent upon the
eerfect coordination and harmonious adjust
ment of all Legislation, therefore, upon this
subject should be of such . character as wiz
ever keep In view this well balanced relation of
the many parts which go to make up the vast
economic scheme Of the Nation, to the end
that our home industries may attain to the
highest degree of prosperity and success, thus
guaranteeing the employment OF the largest
amount Of useful and profitable labor in each
branch of industry, and at the highest rate OF
compensation, consistent with the permanence
and prosperity of ALL It is no doubt true that
i ID .v.I N1r1tfr r1laQ
sound in principle, are always to be deprecated,
especially in this case where interests SO vast
and complicated are involved.
"The declaration of your platform upon
this subject not only embodies the recognized
| and long-established doctrine of the Demo-
,ratic party, but is in full accord with my in
| iiyidual views as frequently expressed. 1t Is
| however, q subject which requires to be ap
preached with careful deliberation, and ths
turther suggestion in your platform OF tn
appointment of . Commission of tariff revision
points out judicious method OF attaining
| that end.
"The publications of the civil service, the
abolition Of the spoils system, and especially q
reform in the method OF bestowing appoint
| ments in our punitive and charitable tnstitu.
tions SO that they shall no longer be perverted
to party uses, are objects which, in common
with all good citizens, warmly approve.
ST desire to give them, whether in public O
private capacity, not only my emphatic In
dorsement, but my active cooperation when
ever and wherever it may be Of service in ths
| behalf.
"Hoping that. by new. departure in on
politics the government Of our State may b
redeemed from the abuses which menace it
well-being and placed upon some foundation
of justice, rectitude and equal rights, an
pledging myself, if elected, to administer tn
high trust conided to me with an eye single :
the interests of the whole people, and tn
preservation Of the welfare and good nam
Of our noble Commonwealth.
"I have the honor to be, gentleman, very re
spectfully, You. obedient servant
"JAMEs W. BooKwALTER.n