Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1892-08-25
MR.. aAMRRELL DECLINES.
R < 49,
He Cannot Accept the Peoples
Party Nomination for
Congress,
Because His Election, Which
He Thinks Assured, Would
Interfere With His
Pastoral Duties.
But He is I'm Full sympathy
With the Reform Move and
Will be Heard ON That
Side In the Campaign.
His Letter to the Committee of
Notification.

BRooKHAvEN, Miss, Aug. IS, 1892.
Mcssrs IF. BYRD, II. T. Hobbs and T. G..
Nlniny. Committee
GENTLEMEN Replying to your COM
munication of July 9th, informing me
that had been nominated by the Peo-
pies party and Prohibitionists of this,
the eth Congressional district, as their
candidate for Congress, beg to say:
/. At first, believing that the present
would only be a campaign of educa-
ton, was inclined to accept the nomi-
nation and canvass the district, with u
view to putting our cause before the
people, and, as far as could, inducing
them to vote on principle and for prin-
ciples, rather than according to the
dictum of bitter partizan and extreme
sectional leaders. very much desire
that our politics shall be exalted to a
higher. more honorable and moral
plane, and am entirely willing to con-
tribute whatever of ability l may
possess to bring about this result.
Professional politicians, Judging by
their records, will never contribute an
iota to clean politics. Their ambition
is to win position, and the things that
will most surely contribute to that sell
fish end, however disputable and cor
rupting, will be employed.
q am thoroughly convinced now
that the candidate Of the Peoples par
ty and Prohibitionists, in this district,
will be elected next November. Judg-
ing from the information that, unso-
licited, has reached me from various
parts of the district, nothing but mis-
management on our part, or fraud on
the part Of our opponents, will defeat
us in the present contest.
3. The question presented me by the
action of the convention, that did me
the honor to nominate me, is simply
one of duty. What my duty in the
premises is have diligently sought to
know. l have never had an aspiration
for political Office of any kind. Iwould
rather have quiet pastorate that gives
me bare living than hold the best
paying office within the gift of the peo-
pie, because that is my duty as con-
ceive it. l therefore respectfully de-
cline the nomination rendered me.
could with perfect consistency, with
conviction of duty, give two months to
a campaign of education, without neg
lecting my obligations to my churches,
but cannot feel that 1t is my duty to
give up my present work for two years
to serve my country in it's National
Legislature.
L. 1t must not be surmised even that
| am not i'm accord with the Peoples
party and Prohibitionists, because that
would belle the fact. stand unequivo-
cally on the platform adopted at Jack
son, June %, 1892, because believe it
is patriotic, righteous and proposes the
things that are just between man and
man. Neither would have it thought
for one moment that l subscribe to the
lAISChlCfOuo bhuO PAOoChCl .
must not have to do with politics the
notion that preachers ought to advise
and help the people in religious matters
on Sundays, but must not advise, coun-
sci and help them in their temporal
concerns, which very largely determine
their religious and moral status. II
any oua thinks am infected with s,,ch
an idea he will likely learn better be-
fore the present campaign closes, for 1
shall, as far as can, honor every draft
made on me by my party and friends
/ am with the people, and for the peo-
pie to establish justice In the land, and,
most of all, God is with US, "a 1 thor
oughly believe.
Yours very truly,
~