Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-27
Letter of Acceptance.
Or LUTHER c. BATEMAN, GREESBACK CAN
DIDATE FOR CONGRESS OF THE THIRD Dis
TRICT.
ALBANY, n. Y. August ed, 1884

Hon. T. C. SMART, Swanville Me-.
Wy dear Sir-Your telegram apprising me
of the selection made at our congressional
convention in Belfast this day, has this
moment been received. While l appreciate
most highly the great honor which our
friends have seen fit to bestow upon me,
can only repeat bv letter that which have so
often told you in person, that this nomination
is entirely undesired by me, and not in con-
tormity with my tastes. As il is now too late
to call another convention, and not wishing
to create discord in the ranks of our party, |
can see no wav but to accept a nomination so
unanimously given, with whatever response
biities it may imply. | deeply regret that
professional engagements which | have no
power TO cancel. will prevent my returning to
Maine in season to participate in the agrees
sive campaign which our friends will soon in.
augurate.
1t has been repeatedly stated that the
mission of the greenback party is ended, and
that it has ceased to live In reply, permit
me TO say that no political party ever dies
until it has thoroughly performed the work
it was born to do; and when that labor il
accomplished no earthly power can prevent
its disintegration and decay. Political par
ties are not created in secret session by
individuals. They are born of noble ideas
deep down in the hearts of men, forcing their
way upward through false and opposing
opinions, as the tendrils of plants are forced
through the decaying vegetation of former
years. In surveying the political records of
our country we discover the confirming
evidence of this assertion. The democratic
party grew and crystalized around one of the
prandest ideas of the past. The baleful in
fiuence of Hamilton was spreading its dark
pail over the country, and threatening to
suhvert the liberties of our people. But
the patriotism and love of freedom which
prompted our British ancestors to wiring the
magma chHrtd from Ming John, had not
spent its force by being transplanted
10 Columbia's shores. 1t was then that the
party of Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson,
Thomas II. Benton, and Silas Wright, sprang
into existance to uphold the banner of free
dom. | would not pluck one laurel from the
maiden brow of party rendered immortal
by such illustrious names, and around
which some of the grandest memories of our
country will ever cluster. With the success
of thess men the mission of the democratic
party was accomplished The fatal victory
of Polk in 1874, forever separated democrat
CIV and liberty. The doctrines of Calhoun
gained the ascendency. and under the guild
ance of slave holding leaders the old party of
LOYALTY BETRAYED its historic principle and
continuing its downward path it finally reach
ed for its sub-struclure and foundation the
lowest slums of American society. and TODAY
stands for all which tends 10 the degradation
of manhood. In ike manner and for SINH
lar purpose was the republican party born in
the conscience of man. The clanking chains
OF four millions of human beings were ap-
pealing from a degenerate democracy to the
III
are always born for great occasions. The
names Of Lincoln, Sumner, Phillips, and
Garrison, will forever illuminate the pages of
history, The party which they founded will
live in the hearts OF men when its traducers
shall have disappeared beneath the dark
waves of oblivion. Far be it from nv pur-
pose to cast one word of reproach upon that
party which turned a race of chattels into a
race of men. The party with which my youth
full svmrathes and services were enlisted will
ever have q tender spot upon memory's page.
But the republican party of to-day is not the
republican party of 1861. While 1t still pos
sesses great names and splendid states men il
/ il lacking in that conscience which ever
marks the career of party whose purpose
/ has been accomplished. Possessed of higher
I morality than its ancient rival. il also yields
a greater power for evil. The democratic
/ party in its dccadence sought to rivet the
chains of four millions of negroes by statute
law; the republican party in its decadence
/ is endeavOring to enslave forty millions OF
white men b. financial legislation and the
creation of an aristocracy of wealth. At this
critical period in our national history the
greenback party has appeared. With the
instinct of self preservation il is assailed by
its enemies ere its work has fairly begun.
Betrayed and disgraced by political dema-