Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-06-20
Rev. DIR. Armitage Again.
DIFFICULT STATEMENTS FOR INDEAENDENTs
TO CONSIDER. - THEIR INCONSISTENCY
SHARPLY EXPOSED ASp REPROvED.
From the New York Times. |

To the Editor Of the Nep York Times:
Your own infallibiity is suggested in sup
posing that think the late Chicago conven-
ton ,infalible," and that to dissent from its
DEGREES is to be guilty of heresy and schism
The point in hand has nothing to do with
either of these three questions, but relates
entirely to the honor able consistency of those
gentlemen who assisted so literally to shape
the decisions of the convention and now re-
puuiate their own acts. Only this. and moth
ing more. NV only source of information on
this subject is the general reports of the press,
and understand the following to be the facts
in the case, namely:
|. These gentlemen were sent directly from
republican primary elections to represent the
wishes of their constituents in the construc-
ton of platform, the nomination of Pres
dential ticket, and the management of the
party's future well-being, including the Pres
idential canvass.
> As honest and faithful representatives
they used all their rights of voice and vote in
serving their constituency on a parity with
their fellow members. They took their places
among the conventions officers and on its
committees. and did their duty without him
drance. and make no complaint that any man
infringed their rights in any respect.
}. They took part in framing the plat
form. and voted without debate for its adop-
ton. as did the other members of the con-
vention, for the vote was unanimous.
1. In voting for a presidential candidate
they followed their home instructions and
their own intelligent convictions, but found
themselves in a minority. and MIR. Blaine
was selected contrary to their wishes.
). After their earnest and manly resist
ance of this measure, and their failure to
nominate their own candidate. they did not
withdraw either from the convention or the
party, nor did they even ask to place their
protest on the minutes, bat on the contrary,
they assisted in making Mr.. Blaine's nomi-
nation unanimous. At any rate. it is report
ed to have been made unanimous. Whether
they actually cast their votes for unanimity
does not appear. but they well knew that the
parliamentary rules of the convention. which
they had agreed to adopt, counted their votes
in the affirmative, unless they were actually
cast in the negative, and we have no record of
q negative vote on the nomination of Mr..
Blaine.
g. They took an equal part with all the
other delegates in selecting the general COM
mittee for the conduct OF the canvass, and
committed to it the future well-being of the
the responsibility of maintaining and defend
ing their own platform. and of adopting all
necessary measures for the election of the
ticket
Z. They remained in the convention to its
close. and recorded their votes upon all other
questions, and among them the perfecting of
the ticket in the nomination of Gen. Logan.
No other name but his was put in nomination
for Vice President, but they voted for him on
a roll-cail of the States, and his nomination
was made unanimous by their vote. Thus
they have submitted platform with Gen.
Logan upon it for the adoption of the coun-
try, and created general committee which
they charged with the management of his
election. leaving the nomination of Mr..
Blaine entirely out of the question.
Now, Mr.. Editor, l have always honored
YOU for your frank outspokenness and love of
fair dealing, and you will excuse me for say
ing that the question of ''infallibility," or
"Catholic councils" or Luther. or baptism,
has nothing to do with this business. If Dr.
Dolinger and the Baptisss had unanimously
voted for the ssdecrees" of the Vatican Coun-
Gil, as members thereof, you NAV rest assured
that they would not have turned their backs
upon the council and its ''decrees" outside
And nov ask you to show those of US who
belong to the common people and are not
politicians. either. that the above series of
supposed facts are not real facts. but that we
are mistaken, that so we may be put in pos
session of the exact state of the case: or else
that you will show us the consistency of these
gentlemen in putting forth a platform with
Mr.. Blaine and Gen Logan upon il. for our
sstfrsges, while they reject them. They Ger
tainly are citizens of whom We have always
beea proud, As trustworthy leaders of public
action, and there must be some code of honor
BY which they can repudiafe their own acts
as responsible members Of the convention
which is not manifest to us obtuse folk at
glance. 4 THOMAS ARMITAGE.
New YORK, Monday, June Is. 1854