Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-08
l;ill ACCEPTS,
sut Says He Is Making a Grca, Sacrifice The
Mock Heroic.

New YoRK. Oct. 6.-Seuator Hill was
formally notfed. to-day, of his nomination
as Governor, and accepted in the following
speech:
"Nr. Chairman and gentlemen of the
committe For the courteous manner in
which you have formally notified me of the
action of the recent Democratic conven-
ton. | can express my sincere thanks.
at is unnecessary for me 10 reiterate To
you who were present at the gathering, that
the nomination was rs unexpected by me as
it was unsought and undesired. Several of
the best wears of my life were devoted to
the service of the state in the discharge of
the duties of the high and responsible office
of its Chief Executive, ard | have never
expected nor intended to resume its tre-
mendous burdens again.
"While keenly approaching the high
honor conferred i'll being nominated Tor
third time by ones party for SO important
position, yet | cannot but feel that person
ally | have everything TO lose and nothing
to gain by the contest to which you summon
me. The gubernatorial office has no longer
any attractions for me, and personally |
preferred 20 remain in the senate, where
the duties were gradually becoming more
congenial to my tastes, and where | believe
could most acceptably serve the interests
of this great State.
"But personal interests must have no
weight where public duty is concerned. The
Democratic party, espe cially in this State,
is confronted with great crisis which
substantially involves its existence as
political organization. Our opponents,
taking advantage of their temporary and
accidental supremacy in the constitutional
Convention, are seeking to fasten upon the
people of the state n system of apportion-
ment, or representation, which would virtu-
ally give the Republicans control Of the
legislative department of the state for 20
years to come. The very life of our party
is at stake.
"Besides. the control of the next House
of Represe natives may depend upon the
election here. The Democratic conveu-
ton having, against my protest, selected
me to lead ia such crisis,
although exceedingly regret its
action, has especially TO regret that my
advice was not adopted in regard to repre-
sentstion in the convention itself. VIII |
have sought during the past week, as per
sonal and Intimate political friends well
know, not only to heal and harmonic po-
litical and facional differences, but to Sc
cure some other candidate wholly aeceptab o
to everyone to assume my place in tins
great struggle, in whose favor | would
gladly retire, but which has not proved
feasible; and reCOlleCting that the Demo-
cratic party of this state has hOnored me in
the past, when ] solicited its favors in the
days of its sunshine and prosperity, | can
not desert il noe in the hour of its danger
and in tlis great emergency.
ait is time when personal sacrifices are
demanded, when individual preferences
subordinated to the general good. II we
win this contest it viii be the party's victory,
not mine; if we lose, il will be the party's
defeat. which will be involved in mine.
Personally, anu largely Indifferent TO the
conss quences of the struggle. A duty con-
fronts me and ! shall perform it as God
gives me light let the consequences be what
they may.
81 shall confidently appeal to the plain
people Of the state who have always sus-
tsined me in the past when have espoused
their cause. present to them
the issue of Democracy versus
plutocracy the issue Of No public taxa
tian, except for public purposes; the issue
Of opposition to the Capitalization of all
powers in the general government; the
issue of personal liberty, and against re-
lgious intolerance; the issue Of good gov
ernment; liberal and just excise laws; re-
form in public expenditures; the promotion
of the dignity of labor and protection of its
rights; municipal home rule; and the up
roofing of corruption; and the correction of
abuses everywhere, whether in Democratic
or Republican localities.
"GeDtlemen, | accept the nomination
which you, in behalf of the Democratic
party of New York, have rendered me, and
rely ing upon the undaunted courage of the
Democratic masses, their fortitude under
adverse circumstances, their loyalty to their
principles, which truly represent the peo-
Pies cause, enter upon this contest
with the determination that no honorable
effort on my part shall be spared to achieve
success, and with that confidence which is
an assurance Of victory"