Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-07-08
Loyalty of Clarkson.

Loyalty OF CIarkSOu.
Hon 7 8. Garrison. late chairman of
the Republican national committee, FRI
day night made atement with refe'enc
to The selection of Sir. Campbell for the
ebairmanship snd his own relationship t.
the committee during the campaign soon
to open.
81 have been in pretty diflioult posi-
ton since the result at Minneapolis" said
Mr.. Clarkson, "and have tried to get
through it with personal good grace and
marty LOYALTY. | never wanted, ana
never intended to accept, rendered, the
Craftsmanship CT the national campaign
committee. l came to Washington fully
resolved upon this.
"Wben the members of the national
committee came on, and to my surprise
rendered me very generally their support
for chairman, and insisted that | should
accent. | told them that the wishes OF the
candidates for President and Vice Presl-
dent shold control, and that | could not
accent, as | did not want the place and
felt satisfied that the President wOnid
desire some one else. There was no dis
tinction as to faction in the members who
rendered me their support Blaine men
and Harrison men alike urged that it was
nv duty to accept When l refused they
asked if | was sore over tie defeat OF
Blaine and If / proposed to sulk. They
insisted that the party interests required
a non-factional organization, and pro
posed that the practice of the party pre-
gious TO 1883 should be followed by the
election of two chaIrmen, one of the ma.
tioual committee to serve four gears, ana
one of the campaign committee to serve
during the campaign.
at was suggested that the President
should be allowed to select the campaign
committee, inside or outside the mem0ei-
shin of the national committee itself, as
permitted and suggested by the rule OF
the national convention at Minneapolis
and that the national committees should
deleoate its entire power to this campaign
committee for the campaign. This would
give TO the candidates full control ana
mower of the committee for the wnole
campaign, and yet leave the national
committee to resume after the election IT'S
original functions and become representa-
tive of the party itself and Its future, not
of the past and merely its two recent can
dida.es for Office.
at least forty of the ffty-two mem
hers desired this plan, and it was TINS
that they proposed to the President. lie
was not willing to accept it, and he de-
sired the organization for four years, as IN
1879 and as soon as be told me this In
stantly agreed with him that his wishes
should be complied with and that l
shonld not be the man for the bead OF
either committee. There was no mlsun-
derstandiug OF even argument between
him aud me as to the plan, and our whole
conversation proceeded on the understood
fact that a strong majority OF the COM
mittee desired the plan of two chalrmeH
and nv election as chairman OF the ma
tional committee. He exercised his rlght
nnder party custom and his own ludg-
mept. and | agreed with him and Inform
ed the committee that | could not accept
If elected
"Ibe majority of the committee were
not as willing as | to accept the I1esl-
dent decision, and was sharply criticised
and ceusured by them for having toll
him | would follow his wishes ana NOT
the wishes of the committee Itself. /
ioned with other personal friends and
urged Mr.. Campbell to accept the chaIr,
manship. after be had declined IL several
times dnrinp the afternoon. Ito had been
nv personal friend for years ana my COL
league on the national COMMITTEE "here
had learned taat he was master IN
political details, therefore, l knew De was
comnetent. No man has ever assumed
tbe Craftsmanship of the Republican ma
tIonal committee with larger or better
qualifications than be possesses, ana lne
nartv can have implicit confidence IN ms
ability. his Judgment and discretion, his
fidelity. and his power to DO hls part
to command success. sc
"Mr. Carter, the secretary, IS qua'ineu
for either chairman or secretary lie Is d
discovery in politics. and the best pOii
trojan in the United States of his age. Inc
combination of Campbell and Carter Is as
strong as the party could provide ana
thev are worthy of the enthusiastic ana
constant snpport of all good Republicans
"Mr. Campbell has asked me 10 taHe
Mace on the executive committee IeI-
sonal inclination would lead me TO ue-
cline. Party duty requires should ac-
cent. Loyalty is due to party ana not
to mel.
81 have no apologies to make tor my
conrse at Minneapolis. | am proud OF Tue
four defeats and the one victory l have
had with Mr.. Blaine since 1876, and
would rather have the record OF having
supported him in five contests thah 10
have been in the Cabinets OF the hve
Presidents meantime. 1t IS Blame men
vho Lnow how TO take defeat and how to
be loyal. A..
"The ticket this year Is worthy the
support of every man who has trace OF
blood in his veins. Nr.
Blame was the first man to speak to the
country through the Associated IIess
ofter the ticket was nominated to urge all
to join in its support, Ihe
party in all its factions can do so with
honor and self respect, and shall cheer-
fully do my part IN whatever way can
bear hand"
TA1,.aAnfnfG