The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-07-27
WINSL0W DECLINES TO RUN
CANNOT ACCEPT GUBERNATORIIL NOMINATION OF MAINE DEMOCRACY

State Platform Is For Gold, National
 Platform Is For Silver-Cannot Harmo- nize the Two PIanks-He Could Not Sub scribe to One and Accept the Other
 Without Gross Qualification Maine Democrats Left in Sorry Plight-Party
 Said to Be Badly Divided.
 Portland, Me, July 26.--A letter of withdrawal was given out tonight by Hon. Edward B. Winslow of this city, who last month was nominated as democratic candidate for governor It reads as follows:
 Hon. c. r. Johnson, Hon. S. c. Cor don and Hon. John w. Deering:
 Gentlemen:
 Your letter of June 24 informing me of the action of the state convention held In Portland on June 17 which mademe the choice of the convention as candidate for governor, to be voted for at the approaching election, was duly received, and in reply would say:
 While I deeply feel the honor con-
 
 grateful to the democrats of Maine for the confidence they placed in me, in placing me in nomination as their standard bearer, deferred answering this letter until after the national con- vention, held at Chicago July IT,, re- gret very much the complications which have arisen, which will make it impossible for me to see my way clearto accept this nomination, so kind ly extended to me.
 The platform adopted by the state convention which has declared for a single gold standard is plain, and it was upon that platform that I was nominated, and could not even had I so desired, have accepted this nomi- nation under any other circumstances than to stand firmly upon the platform made by the democratic party of Maine.
 "The democratic national convention adopted platform declaring for the free and unlimited coinage of silver, and there was strong pressure brought to bear to have me announce myself in favor of the national conven- tion, which I did not consider was right to do in accepting the nomination as it was rendered to mo by the state convention.
 There have been many expressions on the part of the democrats of Maine in regard to my duty, but tt has been plain to me at all times that there was but one thing for me to do, and that was to stand firmly by the Maine plat form. Since the democratic national convention it has been thousnt advis- able to hold some meetings of confer ence with members of the state com mittee and the leading members of the democratic party that full and free ex pressions might be obtained and it was plainly shown that wide difference of opinion existed and many of the said democrats of Maine thought it my duty to come forward and endorse the demo- cratic national platform.
 T have given no expressions up to the present time as to what I should do, but have given the matter great deal of thought and study and see but one thing to do and stand as I wish to with the people of Maine, and that is to decline the nomination so kindly ten dered me
 T wish to return my thanks for the many congratulations from friends throughout the state, and had harmony existed in the party it would have been | a great pleasure to me to accept the nomination. It Is very evident. from the free expressions of opnion, that if I wish to secure the vote of the demo- cratic party I shall be obliged to har- monize with both gold and silver plat forms and that I cannot do under any circumstances. There is but one thing for me to do, and that is to thank you and through you the democrats of Maine for the high honor conferred upon me, and most respectfully de- cline the nomination"