Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-10-03
SECRETARY nOLGERss
Letter Acceptins the Nomination Tor
Governor Of New York.


NEW YORK. Oct =.
Secretary Folger's letter accepting the re-
publican nomination for Governor - made
public. After referring to the composition
of the state convention at which the nomina-
lions were made and to the proceedings before
it, he expresses the conviction that the nom.
nations made BY the convention were entirely
regular and entitled to the support OF the
party. He continues: 'sYet il would be idle
TO affect not to know that the public mind IL
stirred by reports Of doings in which the con-
vention, as a body, had not part; doings OF
. quality which honest and high minded men
cannot approve and will not tansely tolerate.
No one claims no one believes that had lot
or part therein. or previous hint or suspicion
thereof. l scorn ii and do not go BY such
means. ! will not undertake to measure the
truth of all these reports, that Of one Is be-
yond dispute Nor will argue further on
the results reached by the convention. or that
any of the processes toward them were shap-
ed or affected thereby. The facts are public
and everyone may form his own Judgment,
but there is growing thereout a practical
question, and it is deferred to me for an
answer Persons. some holding official rela-
tons with the republican party, and all OF
good standing in the community. have asked
me to decline the nomination made at Sara
toga. They express confidence in me and
fully acquit me of any participation in or
know ledge of that which they hold will justify
the action they desire. The acts conceded,
or alleged to have been done, upon which
they base their request. they also concede
were wholly the acts of others than ME. L
have deliberately and anxiously considered
the matter. weighed the reasons they present
and forecast the consequences. The matter
has two aspects. personal and public. As
sought not the nomination: as l was not glad
it came to me, as l could always have seen
and could now see it go to another without
one twinge of regret, have not a personal
reason why should not refuse it with alacri-
ty. But the matter is not solely or chiefly
personal. Ii has wider and vastly more
important scope In my judgment for anyone
placed As | am al this time to decline the
nomination would produce the utter collapse
of the republican party would be to leave
the party on the late eve of a highly impor-
tant election without a candidate for the
chief state officer" 1t is SO far impracticable
as to be almost an impOssibility to name
another person for the Office who would be
likely to be acceptable. 1t is physically imprac-
ticable to put up another candidate. Folger
argues in the event of his resignation the
only course for the republicans would be to
call another convention. for which time is
too short, and continues For me to de-
cline, then, is too leave the republican party
without candidate, and the practical end
of that is not only certain election of the
democratic governor, but q complete disOr-
ganization and disintegration of the republi-
can party with all the adverse consequences,
State and national, to follow therefrom. The
responsibility for such result is too great to
put upon one man. l have naught to say
for myself. If l am defeated, and it be a
disappointment, it will not be the first that
has come to me. The result be what it may
to me, will not take the responsibility OF
breaking up the organization and destroy the
republican party of the State of New York.
If it is to be defeated at the coming election
it must be by an act Or mission of the re-
publican voters. 1t would be my aim, if
elected, to be the representative of the whole
party, subservient to my duty as the chief
magistrate of the whole people, unmOved by
the appeals of faction. unswerved by appli-
ances of private interests, acknowledging
no claim OF mere partnership, and looking su-
premely for the good of the commonwealth
Thus far have assumed that the predictions
of my interlOcutOrs of disaster are well
founded. do not concede that. There is
no need of doleful apprehensions. Issues of
too grave consequences. too serious for
present disappointments, and even righteous
indignation, to lead persistence in an ILL
advised and fatal action. I. therefore, &C.
cept the nomination and await the result Of
the canvass without perturbation