Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-09-21

for form and deliberatlon rs to see
their way clear to abandon their party
simply because its lawfully. fairly and
honorablv nominated candidate receiv-
ell his nomination ON the first ballot
by the unsolicited votes Of eighty-six
of the one hundred and seventeen del
egates who came TO the convention I'M
instructed and unpledged, instead OF
getting it after pretended competi-
ton extending through several ballots
gone through for the simple purpose
of practicing deceit that would not
have deceived and was not intended To
deceive anybody.
Receiy wing my nomination in this
way, upon the first ballot, from un-
pledged and uninstructed delegates
without personal solicitation on my
part, it would naturally be expected to
carry with it an absolute freedom from
entanglements and obligations, and for
this reason be entitled TO the support
of all members of our party who desire
their candidate to occupy such an at.
titude of manly independence. Such
a position standing here looking you,
my tellow-citizens. squarely in the
face. | declare to you to occupy.
WOULD sCoHN THE OFFICE.
The office of Governor of Maryland
is high and dignified office, well
worthy Of the ambition of any honora-
BILE man, but as high ms hold it to be,
| would scorn to reach il by the sur
render of one jot or title of the price
less possession of NV independence of
thought or action and. although | feel
almost sense of personal degradation
in being constrained to make this pub
lie declaration, in order to repel the
ungenerous assaults that have been
made upon me, wish the people OF
Maryland to know that if they shall
see tit TO make me Governor of the
State, they may rely upon it that no
man shall rule or govern or dictate To
me, but that up TO the full measure OF
the faculties which | possess, | shall
execute all its functions with the most
absolute independence.
had hoped that the language OF
my letter of acceptance would have
put at rest all unworthy suspicious
upon this aspect of my candidacy.
had hoped that lifetime of laborious
toll aud selt-reliance passed under the
eyes of my fellow-citizens would, with
out such language, have been regarded
as Il sufficient guarantee that in new.
even though far more exalted sphere
Of action, | could he expected To ex-
hibit the same qualities that had earned
for me the good will and respect Of
those who know me.
had hoped that my career as a
merchant would have secured me
against the offensive imputation that
in any position Of responsibility or
trust TO which might be called, |
would allow any man to think and act
for me or submit to the guidance, con.
troll or dictation Of any man.
1t seems. however. that when a man
quits the walks of private life and be-
comes candidate, he NAV Justly be
charged with having lost his ind,vid-
ualiiy and, however contrary the
character he may have secured for
energy, self.reliance and independ.
ence-however. clearly he may have
earned II reputation for qualities in
which servility and subservience have
no place, he may yet be properly
branded as fgure-head-his public
assurance of his entire freedom from
pledges aud committals of every kind
he ridiculed rs untrue and his election
opposed because of the insolent and
gratuiious assumption that, it elected,
he will prove plant superserviceable
tool in the hands Of others.
Against such assaults upon me and
my candidacy. | enter my solemn pro-
test and il, IN face of these personal
assurances that, in the event of my
election shall be wholly free to ac,
without obligation or sense Of obliga-
ton to any man or set Of men. such
assaults shall he continued, I shall
leave them to the contempt that they
deserve.
ISSUES OF THE CAMPAIGN
Having thus made nv personal
position so clear that nobady can fail
to understand it, / turn to a brief
allusion of the political issues of the
campaign.
Upon the national questions Of the
currency and the tariff, | subscribe
heartily TO the declarations of our
platform.
We cannot ignore these questions i'll
this contest. and although the Repub.
licans are trying TO shut them out
from view, they cannot blind the eyes
of our people to the fact that their
consideration necessarily enters into
the campaign.
Already Republican leaders in other
States have made them paramount
and overshadowing issues. and are
fighting their battles for State control
upon them. In proof of this / need
only refer to the utterances of Senator
Sherman and Others in their respective
State campaigns.
We cannot forget that il we lose
Maryland in 1895. there will be great
danger that we will lose her in 1896,
and our duty to our party supremacy
throughout the Union demands that
we should not expose her to such a
peril.
Upon the question Of assessment |
stand squarely upon the letter and
spirit of our platform, and renew in
all sincerity and solemnity the assur.
ance of my letter OF acceptance. As
the Republican platform and ours
agree upon this question. and is, in
fact, only an adoption of ours, there is
no occasion for further statement from
me upon the subject. The people
need have nc fear that shall be
lukewarm or Indifferent in my adj
vo,acy Of this great measure of relief.
have pledged my word that, il
elected. shall aid to the very utmost