The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-10-13

%so VIC uecduellce OF pOIlIlcs
ana me debauched condition of pup
Ilc service. Its own members being
aeegsers Of their own party, it would
DO pliy IN us to discredit the prose
cutQis and reject their testimony.
wren Democrats draw the portraits
Oh tnelr own leaders with EXPERT
hanns and glowing colors, the eyes OF
Repuolicans cannot be closed to the
accuracy Of the likenesses. And so it
mas eone to pass that many Demo.
crasseTlile> army of Martyrs who have
sultered, and the host of Puritans who
have aIled to apply effective reme-
dies within their own ranks-are
driven TO the adoption of one or the
other ofthe only alternatives left to
thep, either to bring forward fit can
nledatkfs for an independent contest as
~. ltlhrstS. or TO unite with Repub-
licahsin accomplishment the final overs
throw of those with whom they are
dissatisfied. To bring about con-
summation, too long delayed. but
now more than ever within their
reach and ours-persistent, inteIli-
gent and thoroughly systematic work
will be needed. Refiecting upon the
shameful history of the past ten years
and the ignominy of a citizenship
which Spiritually shorn Of its priv
ileges. have given to the nominal
ton of the Republican convention
the most candid and dispassionate
consideration.
But | would be recreant to my
sense of duty and unmlndful of the
gravity of public exigencies if | per-
mitted myself to occupy the attitude
of seeming to undertake prominent
share in great work which | am
incapable of fulfilling. A thorough
discussion of the evils of our public
affairs before full assemblages of the
people, from the mountains to the
sea; a reduction of the true issues in
voIved in such debates to domestic
grievances, wholly and absolutely
aienated from the less urgent ques-
tions of national policy; a straight.
forward, manly appeal to the con-
science and intelligence, as we'll as
the self interest, Of every voter, could
not and would not fail to result in the
defeat and humiliation Of those who
control the Democratic party. For
the performance of my due proper
tion OF such labors, if | We're to be-
come candidate, l am sorry to say
my health totally incapacitates me.
/ Elsaot speak III tic oRen air, and
am unable to undergo the other fa-
tigues OF canvass, l believe that Mr..
HoltOn can and ought to be elected
as the next Governor Of our com
monwealth. 1t will give me pleas.
ure to cooperate with him, and with
the Republican committee, in every
way within my power, in contribu-
ting toward the attainment of a
change which would be unspeakably
gratifying to me, and which | am as
sured would provide for the inhabi-
tants Of our State a boon to which
they have long been strangers-an
economical, impartial and progress
siye administration. 1t is impossible
for me to describe to you the embar-
rassment Of my present position. l
have always been an advocate of par
ty nominations, and, upon well con-
sidered principles, radically opposed
to all sorts of political fusions and
declination of a nomination may ap.
pear to be inconsistent with my pub
lie utterances. But | would prompt.
ly stand IN the place to which the
has called me, if [ were
Younger or more robust. If the same
duties could not be undertaken by
some other equally. and, in all prob
ability, far better suited to perform
them, 1 might be persuaded to incur
risks which would be sure to bring
sacrifices in their train. No such
emergency confronts me, however ;
and | must, therefore, ask you to ex-
press to the President of the conyen-
ton my sincere regret that l am
compelled to decline a
nomination for the Office of Attorney
General. and to request that the re-
quisite steps may be taken to substi-
tute another in my stead. Thanking
you for the kind words in which you
have conveyed to me the wishes of
the convention, l am, gentlemen,
very truly, your obedient servant.
r.. SToCKETp MATTHEW'S.