Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-05-24
MARSHALL REFUSES.


THE LETTER IN WHICH He DECLINES.
What He Thinks of Cameron and His Meth
ods-Some Inside History Of the Conven-
ti0n-MarshaIrs Future Course.
Thomas NJ. Marshall has declined the
nomination of the Cameron state conven
ton for congressman. at-large. He wrote
his letter of declination on Tuesday in re-
sponse to letter of Mr.. Lear, who presid-
ed over the convention. 1t is as fol-
lows:
PITTSBURGH, Pa, May %, 1882.
Hon. George Lear:
MY DEAR SIR The kind and eulogistic
language of your letter conveying off,
cial notice of my " unanimous nomination
for congressman. at-largc" by the Re-
publican state convention can be appre
ciated as the exuberant warmth of per-
sonal friendship. 1t would have been a
man of stolid temperament who could be
insensible to the enthusiastic reception
accorded to the nomination. It was the
result of passionate excitement rather
than the calm judgment of dehberative
body. The tender of the position, which
would have enabled me to appear before
the people of the commonwealth and de-
mand literal observance and fulfilment
of the letter and spirit of the platform
adopted by the convention, was a
strong temptation toward an acceptance
of the trust. The profession Of faith
therein set forth, in my judgment, en-
bodies sound political doctrine and prac-
tice, and is in accord with the patriotic
wishes Of the people. 1t would have af-
forded me satisfaction to enforce and main-
tain the proposition that public trusts
should be administered with the same
scrupul0us fidelity as private trusts that
no diversion from the original purpose
should be permitted. 1t is a mockery of
common business sense to displace tried
and faithful public servants in order to
provide places for hungry applicants who
may prove as worthless as they are vora-
cious. No sane man so acts in his private
affairs. 1t is equally repugnant to sound
economy in the administration of public
interests.
The use OF public patronage to control
or direct tho people in their choice of can
didates for Office is grave political crime
1t subvcrts the principles of representative
government, and tends to make of the
servant master. to the common debase-
ment of the people. To have aided in some
degree in calling attention to these vital
questions of the hour would have been my
duty rs nominee. The great moral and
political ideas which called the Republican
party into existence have become imbedded
in the organic law Of the land. If it is the
mission of the present party organization
to 90 forward in the spirit of the plat
form. it would succeed if it fails to come
up to the full measure of its promise, it
should perish. Mere party obligations
sit very lightly on my shoulders.
The call upon me for party ser
vice was a genuine surprisc-one not
likely to be repeated in Il lifetime. 1t
can!c unsOught and and should not be de-
c!ined without adequate and commanding
reasons. Such exist in my case. Personal
and private duties, in which the public
take no interest, demand that all my ener.
gies be devoted to their fulfillment. There.
fore must decline the proflered position.
To say that do SO with great reluctance
but family expresses the fact. A lifetime
has been devoted to the advocacy of those
principles which constitute the grand era
That triumph was accomplished at price
less cost. May the inheritors of the name
and organization prove themselves worthy
Sincerely, your friend,
Tnos. NJ. MARsHALI.
Now the Letter Was Written.
Mr.. Marshall's letter of declination has
been in several forms. First Mr.. Marshall
wrote long letter to Mr.. A. X. Mcclure,
who has been his life long friend. lie ex-
planned his position in this letter, made a
scathing denunciation of the Camerons
and their policy, and altogether made a
most readable and piquant piece Of cor
respondence. His son copied the letter
and then Mr.. Marshall read it and con-
ciuded it was best not to send it, and the
letter was destroyed. Monday night he
wrote a lengthy letter in reply to that of
General Lear, and in it he cut right and
to adopt more conservative tone, and the
result was the letter given above.
After giving out his letter of declira-
ton Mr.. Marshall was asked what lie
meant by reference to removals. 81 mean
simply" said he, to express my views
regarding the removal of Sullivan and
Wylie."
As matters now stand and as the
nominations are shall probably vote for
General Beaver. l will not vote for
Rawle for supreme Judge and can't say
what will do about the others, except
that will vote for Davies. | certainly
shall not go into the campaign with any
intention of stumping the state for the
Republican ticket and shall mako no
speeches for it. That is how feel in re-
gard to matters as they now stand. If the
Democrats should nominate Judge Trun-
key for governor do not know exactly
what would do. 1t would be a tcmpta-
tion to me to 60 and talk for him in the
state, for he is one of the purest and most
capable men l know of, either in his Off
cial capacity or his private life. l cannot
under existing circumstances, accept any
nomination from the Independents this
year. 1t has been urged upon me to ac-
| cept the Independent nomination for
governor or congressman at-large. If I
had not been in the convention which
nominated Beaver, and had tacitly agreed
to his nomination by not objecting to it, l
would take it because know I could not
be elected, but it would allow mo to 60
| out into the state on the stump for three
months and say what think of the pre-
sent management of affairs in Pennsylva-
| Mia. If l should make an aggressive
campaign of that description l do not
| think there would be much chance for
Beaver if the Democrats made wise nomi-
nations.
"You nave heard talk about the open
manner in which Cameron runs his politi-
cal bossism? Let me give you some in
stances Of how he does things. When
Major Brown was candidate for supreme
judge, and before tho convention met, a
letter was written to the Clarion county
delegation, asking them as Western Re-