Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-09-04
Senator ssisissiasfe..ar

oehatui hluH'ebe:Sef mas published!
long sddress TO "hi5 constituency In it,
among other things, he says:
On national questions voted
with the republicans on the prominent
measures introduced in Congress, and, as a
citizen, J. contributed all tho service could
render for the Success of the republican
party in the presidential campaign which
Came so soon alIer the new party organi2a-
tons in our State.
notwithstanding this, | WAS made tho
SUBJECT of very much illtempered criticism.
ant: narrowly escaped drum head court
martial and dishonorable dismissal for de-
Ginning an honor which, under ordinary cir.
cGmstancaa, | should have been proud to
recelve-thas OF delegate 10 the national
convention. Agreeing, as I knew I did,
with the republicans on principles: and dis
agreeing with tho majority 81 them III Eir-
ginla as to The man for the nomination,
thought 1t proper TO say SO, abide The will of
the majority, and not make myself Il disturb
ing element by procleiming opposition to
the man Of their choice
The year following, according to misrep.
reservations, refused to participate in the
canvass for the republican ticket. To this
| have also submitted with about as much
patience as is allotted 10 the average mortal.
II is we'll known That canvasseIs are Sc
Iected appointed and commissioned Ivy the
state executive committee" The parch-
ment which they put forth might be framed
to ornament the walls OF library. This
committee chose and commissioned such
gentlemen as they thought they wanted
| and go far as | could see or hear they work
ed faithfully and well. I could not COM
plain and did not. In fact, having onposed
the nomination Of & portion Of the ticket in
convention on grounds OF availability, /, in
| my own mind, conceded The wisdom Of the
| committees selection of canvassels. All the
service | could render through editorial col.
ums and communications to tho press bv
| local campaigning and organization was
| cheerfuly given without solicitation or even
| recognition. Two of the nominees, and
other gentlemen from different portions of
the Stnte,. kindly invited and urged me to
assist in their localities, and some accompa.
MED their solicitations with mild rabukes.
TO have answered these affrmatively would
have put me in very unpleasant position. |
| had canvassed the greater portion ofthe State
twice and a large part Of it the third time.
This had been done by request ofthe execu-
tive committee. Other and far ADLER speak.
ers had done the same. The committee
knew the value of each. and it would have
been !nexcusable prcsumption-etl rontery to
have intruded myself into campaign con.
Quoted by gentlemen who had accepted the
| entire responsibility ofits management. The
| statement which ! have frequently hesrti,
! that was written 10 personally, &c, may
be true. 1t is certainly true That | never
received letter or message, or anything
else from any member of the committee
from tho adint1rp Of tho
the day Of election. know Incurred the
dspeasure of some friends who wrote me
by not replying this much at least; but ]
preferred to let the responsibility of appar.
ent Indifference, ingratitude and neglect
rest upon mo, and | have done so till silence
is working, an in justice which feel that no
reasonable man would expect me to innict
upon myself
Last fall the party was Handicapped by the
most ridiculous platform ever thrown together
for adoption by convention.
Just such platform was served to, and swal-
lowed by tho Richmond convention The next
morning the document was published. and the
day after tho convention adjourned it appeared
with one entirely new ''plank"-tIe second para.
graph i'll the first column oa the fifth page This
was noticed generally. commented upon various
~, c'ISsed aud carcssed by turns till the zeal of
active men gavo place to fatal Indifference.
Before tho Presidential convention the canvass
was conducted so entirely and vigorously for ono
man and vehcmenty against all Others that the
wonder still remains in the minds of MANY pcopIo
that we came so ne:r to carrying the State for
the nominee.
That portions of this letter will not meet the
approval OF some republicans very VOL know,
aud shall be ready to accept whatcvor may be
said Of it. 1t is put forth for my own rcrsoual
vndication. and with the sincere hone and earn
est belief that candid discussion OF party affairs
and management will rebound to our good in the
future.