Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-08-07
NOW TO WIN.
A Letter From rrr. Fulton Upon ths
GubernAtOrfaI Question.


Der. In my opinion there is but one
way; but, fortunately, 1t is very plain
and straight one, and a very honest and
honorable one. shall attempt in this
communication to point it out and then
leave my fellow Democrats to Judge OF
The propriety and wisdom OF the sugges-
ions here submitted.
/. That the voters of the several hum
dreds and districts be allowed, unbiased
and Of their own free will, to select the
delegates that are to represent them ia
the state and county conventions. Ours
IL claimed to be "a government Of the
people, for the people, and by the peo-
pie" so that this course ia in perfect
harmony with our profeaHad principles.
The great mass of the people are also be-
lived to be honest, and, may, therefore,
DO trusted to do what is right and select
good men; but, even should they make a
mistake, they will have no one but them
selves to blame. But IL the delegates be
selected beforehand, by interested per-
sons, who are seeking their own ends,
the people will feel, and have right to
feel, that the ticket nominated is not one
OF their selection; and that they NAV
either support 1t or not as they see At.
The people at large are getting tired of
boss-rule, and propose to think and vote
hereafter for themselves.
2. Money must not be used in buying
votes. In the first place 1t is wicked. II
sets at defiance the laws OF both God and
man 1t detiles and debauches the fran
chlse; 1t corrupts and degrades the indi-
viduali 1t bellies and beliltles our profess
sion OF patriotism and, If not speedily
arrested and extenuated, it will Danish
liberty and destroy the republic. 1t is no
use saying both parties do il ; every
body does il and we can't succeed wi b.
out it." In the first place while both par
Ties, as such have bsen guilty, yet many
voters In both parties have never used
money oorruptly, while others have done
SO, or contributed for that purpose, re-
luctantly and against their consciences
and because they saw no better way, CON-
vince them that there is better wsv aud
they will be only too glad to follow il,
me hearts OF the people long to return
to honest methods.
Again, you cannot tell whether we can
succeed without it or not until after the
trial. After the battle, the victory. MANY
an almost hopeless contest has been won
by truth, faith and courage. II we make
the fight in the name Of honor, yirtue
an6 patriotism we have something to an
peal to, something 10 touch the heart and
clear the head and nerve the arm, but il
we go into the fight expecting to win
with money, we simply appeal to mems !
avarice, to one of the lowest passions OF
the lowest type Of our poor humanity
Tor who can be lower or meaner than the
wretch who sells his franchise for paltry |
dollars. But can you win with money ? |
This ls addressed to those who think il |
no harm, or at least to allow il to be iusti-
naDle to use money in buying votes. |
surely not. Lay no such hatterine unc- |
ton to your lips. II Is extreme folly; |
Tor In that case, you will not only lose
the election but your money and your
nonor also. Look at the situation. Your
opponents have vast resources and they
are veterans and adopts in the methods
OF their use. And they have the strongest
motives TO use their means ct hand. The
enilre State government and resources.
with Its numerous officers, depending
ucon executive appointment and espe.
cially Of the Judiciary, with it's life ten
ure. A splendid prize. But this is not
all. Another senator and the representa-
tiva in Congress. Surely the motive ia
strong. Then look OF their resouroeE.
First, the candidates will be selected be-
cAule they have money and are willing 10
spend it. No man in moderate circ1m.
stances is thought Of for moment. One
or two, whose character and prominence
seemed to give them soma claim to at
least respectful considerat on, were named
early in the canvass as possible candi-
dates for governor, but they lacked
financial means and were quickly and
summarily sent to the rear as altogether
unavailable, and have never been heard
VI aimee.
Then the Federal office holders will be
heavily taxed to swell the corruption
fund. Next the rich manufacturers. to
whom the people at large are paying tri-
butte in the shape of high tariff duties
VIII be called upon to give o small por-
ton OF what they hsvs been able to e1tort
from the many. And whatever more NAV
be needed the Republican national com.
mittee may reasonably be expected to
supply.
Are we able to meet the enemy and
overcome him with the same Instruments
OF warfare Surely not. We must choose
otheTE.
We must seek our strength and onr
safety in the hearts OF the people. We
must appeal to their manhood. Ia tbeir
intelligence, to their virtue, to their
honor, and TO their patriotism. We must
warn them Of the danger to liberty. wa
must place before them the Humiliation
and utter degradation of these corrupt
practices. II all these considerations
shall not bs able to win, then we are helm
less, hopeless and lost and as a people
we VIII have proven ourselves unworthy
the rich inheritance Of our fathers and of
the land OF Washington. But hope and
believe better things. hope and believe
that many, very many honest men and
thoughtful citizens in the Republican
party, are grieVed and scsndaiized by
the corrupt means used by their IeAders
to carry elections; and II we give them
plaini honest way Of ressnting aad reru-
dating them, they will avail themselves
OF 1t at once and emphatically. 1t is only
because one party was as bad ca the other
and they had no choice that thew have
not done so already. Give them this,
and put their patriotism and conscIenoe
to the test. II will be time enough 10
pass judgment upon both after trial. A
clean campaign is the road to Democratic
Fuccess end the salvation of the Demo.
cratic party.
8. But some other points are not to be
overlooked. We must have unity of pur-
pose and harmony of acting among our
selves. To have this let bygones be
bygonss, let heart ourninss and crirnina-
tion cease. Let us lay aside personal
animosisies and jealousies, and act ee
patriots. What difference does it make
to 80 ont of every 100 who fills this on
that office so that he is an honest capable
mani Then let US resolve firmly and
resolutely to support the people's choice
Of candidates, and il the nominations are
made In the way indicated the candidates
will be the peoples choice, but if the
trading politicians, who are seeking their
own selfish ends, force candidates upon
them they need not be guFprjHed IL hntb