Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-07-28
GENERAL PERRY's LETTER.
He Formally Accepts the Democratic
Nomination for Governor Of Florida.

PENSACOLA. fla. July II. ISL.
To Hons. S. Pdsco, ". q. Barnes and J. T.
GENTLENES-I have the honor 10 acknOwl-
edge the receipt Of your communication ap-
prising me officially that the convention Of
the Conservative Democratic party Of Florida.
lately held in Pensacola, selected me as its
candidate for Governor.
Profoundly sensible Of the responsibilities OF
the position, and with grateful appreciation
Of the confidence repOsed In me, l accept the
ThaSe cherished in the past, and shall en-
deavor 70 maintain in the future, the funda-
mental doctrines Of the Democratic party,
which teach that Offices are public trusts; that
the purposes Of government are the good Of
the people; that taxation, TO be just must be
equal and measured by the necessities OF gov
eminent and the best interests Of the whole
state, and should, by rigid economy, a pru-
dent expenditure and faithful accounting OF
the public moneys, be reduced to
the lowest possible limit consistent with
such necessities and a liberal provision for
the maintenance and development OF educa-
tional facilities and the progress and advance
meut OF the material Interests Of the State
bv every legitimate inducement and encOur-
aEement 10 immlg grafton and the actual set
tiement Of our vacant lands; that the State
should never relinquish or hesitate TO eNer-
else when necessary It's power to enforce cor
p0rate as well as individual obligations, to
prevent mOnOpOlies, to protect against any
encrOachments the interests Of labor and the
rights Of the people.
/ cordially indOrse the principles enunciated
in the platform. / shall heartily co operate
with the people OF the state in their efforts to
50 revise our organic law as 70 make it con-
fOrmaDle 70 the great principles which under
lie truly Democratic government. and nv
confidence IN the patriotism OF our people
assures me that In framing and adopting a
new constitution the interests Of every sec
ti0H Of the state will be regarded.
The resolution Of the convention in regard
10 lmmi grafton has my most hearty approval.
The growth OF our country, and especially Of
nh 4.
ment Is unprecedented in the annals Of ciyili-
eaton, has been largely due TO the influx Of
new citizens and the infusion of new blood.
am sure that i express the sentiments Of the
Conservative Democracy Of Florida when
say 10 that large and enterprising class OF
new citizens who have come from other cOun-
tries and from other sections of our own
country 10 cast their lot with us that we
cordially extend 10 them the right hand OF
fellowship and welcome. BY own experience
IN this my adopted and beloved State assures
me that the resolution Is no barren formula
that those words are sincere which extend TO
worthy and industrious citizens from all
quarters friendly welcome and an equal OPP
pOTtunlty.
The terrible conflict between some OF the
states and the United states ended almost
twenty years ago; no trace Of dlslOvaIty TO a
restored lniOn can be found throughout the
broad land; the soldiers OF both armies have
long since buried every feeling Of luminosity
and shaken hands in all honesty and good
faith; and though We may probably cherish
IN our memories and perpetuate in history
the herOism and fidelity to duty DISPLAYED on
both sides, and hand them down as rich leg
acy 10 future generatiOns-though we may
perhaps wisely regard that trying time as a
crucibie in which was tested the characters
OF men, yet the war and its issues are
things Of the past, and should have no part in
the present or future politics OF Florida.
The great, the vital question TO be deter
mined by our sunrages Is, To which of the
two distinct elements, as they exist in Florida
and are 10 be politically arFaVed against
each other, can we most safely entrust the
capitol OF the state and the property, rights
and interests Of the peOpleg To this every in
telligent citizen who has the honesty and pa
triotism to regard the public welfare above
any mere personal or party consideration is
forced TO subordinate every other issue.
The common purpose Of the people of FlOri-
da should be to advance the material inter-
ests Of our State. While our principles and
policy are eminently conservative, based upon
the belief that IL is safer 10 conserve than
destroy, wiser TO reform than reVOiutiOniZe,
they are broad and liberal enough TO merit
the support Of every good citizen; and we in
wife the cooperation of every conservative
element in the state to unite with US in secur-
ing TO Florida q government which, honestly
and economically administered, shall alike
protect the rights and foster the interests Of
the adopted and the native born, the rich
and the poor, the white and the black, with
equal and exact justice. Let us endeavOr at
this crisis in her destiny, when the attention
Of the world Is directed to her genial climate
and varied resources, TO rise above personal
considerations and political prejudices, and
50 cooperate together for her advancement
and progress that the near future may see
Florida the foremost among the States OF the
South.
/ beg, gentlemen. that you will accept my
thanks for the congratulations so kindly ex-
tended, as well as for the graceful courtesy
with which you have executed your commits
f. A. PERRY.