New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-03
JUDGE FoLGER's LETTER.
NEw-YoRK CITY. Oct,

NEW-1ORk ClT1s OCt. loo-.
To the Hon. EDWARD NJ MADDEN, Chairman, etc.
SIR: BY your letter dated September %, 1882,
you officially apprise that by the State Conven-
ton of the Republican party, held at Saratoga on
the 10th ult l was nominated a candidate for
Governor OF the State
The canvass in the party for the choice of dele
gates to that convention has seldom been equalled
in earnestness and activity, and In the fulness,
freedom and publicity of the preparatory discussion.
The attention OF Republicans everywhere was fully
aroused. Their primary meetings were held in ao-
cord with loDg-established usage. Save In an es-
ceptional locality two, where modes have for
some time existed which, Ii not acquiesced ia, have
never been resolutely rebeed against and changed,
those primaries were attended in unexampled num-
bers, ana justly expressed the sentiments OF the
participants In them. The delegates chosen to the
State Convention represented the views ana
opinions of their respective constituencies as fairly
and fully as those Of the conventions which have
preceded it. The methods of the convention when
assembled were in accordance with precedent. free
from violence and clamor sedate and deliberate.
There is naught on the face of them that will war
rant an assertion that all done In its meetings WA
not fair honest and board and that the re-
suits did not flow from the conscientious and duti-
ful convictions and actions of the members OF 1t.
THIS is plain from the fact that when decisive
vote was reached though there had been deep feel
ing and was great disappointment. there was no
hesitation in yielding unanimous acquiescence IN
1t and the motion to that end was made by one
and seconded by another of the prominent MEN,
bers who had hoped and labored for different emo.
Their party and public rank and their character
and qualities forbid the idea that they would have
submitted to. winked at vicious or even irregui
lar practices their opponents IL would seem, as
,,a.Ha fpaf reached
the convention were entitled to the sanction ana
support of the Republican party and the approba-
tiOn OF the public.
public mind stirred by reports of dongs IN which
the convention as body had no part, dongs OF
quality which honest and hIgi-minded men cannot
approve aud will lot taInely tolerate. NO one
claims believes that had lot or part therein
previous hint or suspicion thereof scorn an end
measure the truth of all of these reports that or
one is beyond dispute Nor will argue hether or
not tue results reached by the convention or any OK
the processes toward them were shaped OF anected
thereby. The facts arei public. and everyone may
form his own judgment
PRACTICAL QUESTION.
But there is growing thereout practical question.
and it is brought TO me for answer. Persons. some
holding official relations 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 participation in or knowledge Of
that which they hold will justify the action that
they desire. The acts conceded alleged to
have been done, upon which they base their re-.
quest, they also concede, were wholly tue acts Of
others than me. have deliberately and an xiously
considered the matter have weighed the reasons
which they present, and have forecast the conse-
auences The matter has two aspec Is, personal and
public. As to tRat personal; made 10 indication
of a willingness to be a candidate for Governor. un-
til long after l had been named in the press and
talked of by men in that connection, aud 1t was ap-
parent that should be brought beioge the conven-
tion | then said that if there fair degree Of
concurrence in my nomination would accept Dui
that ii another was named l sii0dd not Oe sorry,
and that II was named would not be glad. nave
ever Deen of tha mind. am OF that mind now.
There are those who members of that conyen-
tiou " ho know that N the week OF Its sitting
maize effort to have the nomination OF another
brought about As | sought no the n0minatiol, as
/ was not glad when II cane to me. Us could al
WAYS have seen, and could now sec, It 70 another
without one twiDge OF regret, / have no personal
| reason why should not refuse IL with alacIity.
But the matter ~ not solely or eneiiy personal.
| IL has wiaer and vastly more important scope.
In my Judgment, Tor any one, placed as am az "a
time, 10 decline the nomination would produce ths
utter cola pse of the Republic IN party. Those no
| urge have not conceive run out that act 70
its certain consequences IL wonld be 10 leavs ne
party on the late OF highly important election
without "A candidate for the chief oce IN the state
Ii is SO tar AL mpraetIeabity TO oallnost an i-
ibIlIty TO name another peri0n ior the once
| who would be likely 10 meet Wi party aceePts-
| ton What man of sufficient Stat repute 10 DC an
acceptable and strong candidate, and Of the ssnsi
bilites tnat 20 vita selfrespeet, would ne Wiling
| nation and take the hazard of the caDyassf And
| no man of othcr kind would nlees the demands =.
the party sa,,r or coatS the "S tesd With res
| sonabl. prospect of success. Moreover. s