The Portland daily press., 1883-09-27

the contrary while do not pretend to know de-
tails, venture to think my distance is quite as
much an advantage as otherwise. am at least out
of The knowledge and reach of local passions,
which apt to dsqualify men from looking at
things just as they are. At any rate think
know enough to determine what my own attitude
would be- if were there on the spot; and the fact
that see Others such men as Curtis and Beccher,
advising Republicans to refuse support to Judge
tolger at this time, is the one reason which makes
me willing to put my name again at the mercy OF
all who may choose to criticse or censure my pres
ent action.
DO rot hesitate to say that 1 regard 1t as the
clear and high duty Of every Republican, on this
particular occaaion, to vote and work for Judge
Foleer. Why not? Mr.. Curtis says: "Because of
the method of his nomination. assume that
what Mr.. Curtis here refers to- was an unblushing
and patent fraud. For the authors of such fraud,
no denuneiation or punishment according to the
nature of the crime, can be too great. But the
question of practical duty remains and is not
sdered at ali by saying the nomination was secured
by fraud. do not understand that Judge Folger
nomination proper was in fact secured by fraud;
but that if all the fraud claimed were eliminated
from the proceedings of the convention, man
has warrant for SAYING and it is not at all probable
that Judge Folger would have been defeated. But
want to look at this question upon the concession
that the nomination Was accomplished by fraud
Did Judge Folger share in that fraud? Did he
know or suspect fraud before it was committed?
Is his character affected i'll any way by the frauds of
others with whom he had nothing whatever to do?
suppose no man can give other answer than that
Judge Folger is as pure a man, and perhaps the
very ablest man put in nomination for Governor By
his party in New York for twenty or thirty years.
Now, because for purposes of their own, unscru-
pulous men committed a fraud in the State Com
miitee, to which Judge Folger was not a party in
any manner, near remote is it wise, is it right is
it just, expedent i'll any re ation to re-
fuse support to him as a candidate? Judge Folger
could, had he chosen perssaal or selfish
course, have reasonably declined tie
nomination, but having properly ac-
cepted it, / say there is no reasonable ground
on which any Republican can refuse his cordial
tat least 10 ground arising out of the nan
Of his nomination. Mr.. Beecher mathematics
fraud and its authors. So do all, but whom would
he punish for this fraud? Not Its authors but
Judge Folger and the whole Republican party for
it is clear that owing to fault If Judge Foger or
the Republican party, no new convention will or
can now be convened Mr.. Bsecher's fame is not that
of great logeian, but at least lave been used to
regarding him as great ethical teacher and no d
in highest honor his great services in past pos
tical struggles; but his present advice, to speak
the TRUTH TO be really based on his disgust or
regret at the defeat of Governor Cornell. Well,
m1rer of Governor Cornell think he has
been most xcellent Governor worthy Of all the
praise Mr. Beecher gives him; but is the Republican
party not to have its choice if that choice is not
Gcv. Cornell? Will Mr.. Beecher say that there is
any reason to believe Mr.. Cornell has made
better Governor than Judge Folger will make if
elected? If any man believes Judge Folger will be
under the influence OF any man, or set of men.
whom Mr.. Beecher denounces,- s,-he has fair rea-
son TO oppose him, but notice Mr. Beecher ayows
no such belief
For Mr. Curtis. of course we all have respect and
admiration. On the civil service question agree
heartily, and always have with his views and aims
reioiced to see, as did when at Munich. that
the Providence Civil Service Convention resolved to
make civil service reform test of support for
members of Congress- but if anything is plain it is
that civil service will only be reached. if ever.