Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-03-03
Mr.. Harter Declines.

Mr.. M. d. Harter. of Mansfield, de-
clines to be candidate for Governor,
as will be seen by the following letter to
Hon. F. II. Hurd:
"MANsFIEI.D. Ohio, February 9, 1881.
Dear Friend: Your letter has had
careful consideration. | can account for
your preference for me and your faith
in my being elected Governor by the
warm personal feelings you entertain
toward me; and am greatly fattered
to know that your confidence is shared
by so many of our party friends ut Wash
ington.
"Our minority is more apparent than
real. trust, and the opportunity you
suggest is just, such an one as l would
embrace if were SO placed as to be able
to do so. would rather be the Demo-
cratic candidate for Governor under ex-
isting circumstances, when a vigorous,
open and above board campaign may
wrest success from the arm to defeat.
than to make a canvass when our party
is in positive and overwhelming majori-
ty: but and | say it with genuine and
sincere regret, my situation is such that
must decline seeking nomination which
you think might be mine without much
contest.
Entertaining only reasonable regard
for those who are directly dependent on
me, the sacrifice of making such can
vass as the interest of the party demands
or of serving as Governor, if elected, is a
greater one than dare make at the pres
ent time, nor can do it with justice to
the interests of others associated with
me in various business operations. To
be the candidate of the party in the
struggle for the principles in which l
believe as firmly as do in existence
itself and, above all, to be the leader in
!, initial right against tariff robbery and
the party's champion of the rights of the
people against monopoly in its worst
form, would be great honor; and the
more so because l have been a consistent,
though humble supporter of psinciple
through evil and through good report.
can not, therefore, overstate my regret
at be ing obliged to forego the opportu-
nifty of serving my party and my country
which is so kindly and so flatteringly sug-
gested to me.
''Our platform this fall should be very
brief, verS clear, and should call for
Hard Money, Home Rule and Tariff
lol iCNClluC IL uthouhSt
the levying of taxes upon one class OF
citizens for the benefit of another class
and should lay down fearlessly the doc
trine that all taxes should be levied sim
ply for the benfit of the Treasury, and
that all other kinds are unjust. i'm
moral, and crime against the rights OF
citizenship. If we do this we shall de
serve to win unless I greatly overesti
mate the intelligence of the people OF
Ohio, and eXaggerate their sense of jus
tice. But if we lose, have simply to say
that would rather lose q dozen elec
tions in making an honest, manly oper
fight for What we believe than to win by
dodging or double dealing Let us re
fuse to bid for the Protectionst vote
and devote our time and efforts to con
vincing our opponents that liberty fo
trade and freedom for labor is the es
sence of liberty and the only "Americal
system" Remember, that most Protec
tionists are honest men. and are Protec
tiopists only because they have neve
closely examined the question.
Can any man doubt the result OF sucl
a fight? We must win it in the end. ant
| believe the final victory will com
earlier than most men expect. 1t is Ger
tainly not to much to say that every con
sstent Democrat, myself among tina
number, will cheerfully make every rea
sonable sacrifice of time and money to sc
cure the election of candidate and tn
glorious triumph of Democratic princi
pies. In thanking you for your kindnes
and good will i'll urging me for positio
of such honor, permit me to express t
, you the warm appreciation | feel, /
common with all other Democrats. fo
the gallant stand you have maintaine
on all the vital doctrines OF our politics
faith. hope you will not codsider
troublesome if also ask you to conve
} my thanks to those friends at Washing
ton who have SO cordially rendered m
, their support. Believe me to be, what
} have been for many years, sincerel
your friend.
NJ ID. HARTER.
Hon. Frank Hurd, Washington, d. c
By the falling of tree he was choppin9