Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-15

Belfast, July l4.--Folowing is the let
ter of Mayor Hanson of Belfast. = TO
e. b. Winslow of Portland the Demo-
cratic candidate for Gvernor. asking
him on which platfrm he proposes to
stand:
Belfast, Me, July IA, 1896.
Edward +. WinSloW Portland, Maine:
Hon. and Dear Sir:-The Democratic
party in national convention assembled
has formulated a national platform
in harmony with the basic principles
Of Democracy. a platform that | be
lieve Il very large majority OF. Maine
voters endorse in every particular
The Democrats of Maine are now
placed in the exact position | predicted
at the State convention; /. G.. the Port
land platform declares: We oppose
the free coinage of silver and favor the
single gold standard" The national
platform says: We demand the free
and unlimited coinage of both gold and
silver at the present legal ratio of 16
to L.
/ am a Democrat And ! heartily
endorse every plank in the national
platform A platform that was not die
tatcd by I,otschlds, Morgans, trusts
corporations or other slave owners, but
by the people. In it is embodied the
demands of the sore depressed, a cry
for the emancipation of the white
slaves on our farms, in our workshops,
factories and marts of trade; and on
this plate under the leadership of Will
liam J. Bryan--a true American whose
4, N
rights for the toiling Masses and
whose matchless clouuence has never
been debased in the interests of British
and American shylocks-I believe the
great Democratic party, chainpion of
the peoples rights viii achieve a vic
tory that shall mark a new era lin our
nations hiStory-an era of prosperity,
happiness and plenty for our great
army of toilers. An era of equal rights
to all, special privileges to nones - ~
believe the British gold and politiAs
cal demaGogsm will not be able do,
thwart the Will of the now throughh,
aroused people in the coming cam
paign The nation must go out of the
business Of making miIlionaires and
tramps. *
At the time of your nomination the
platform had not been adopted. |, as
a member of the committee on reSo-
lutions, had Offered in committee a
financial plank which was modihca-
ton of the plank in the platform of 80.
1t was defeated in the committee by
one majority, and the declaration for
a single gold standard adopted as the
majority report. The minority believed
that the convention would not accept
a Republican plank in preference to
the sound Democratic declaration of
'92. we therefore made minority re-
port. but to my surprise and chagrin,
saw not only the Republican bastard
Incorporated in our platform, but a dis
position on the part of those who We're
controlling the convention to apply
gag law and prevent the friends Of
the minority report discussing the
merits of the two respective planks
and only by the most strenuous efforts
were we allowed a limited hearing.
| endorsed you. Mr.. Winslow, not the
platform afterward accepted, and the
time has now come when 1T becomes
not only desirable, but necessary for
me to know on which platform you
propose to stand-the Portland or the
national. Principles are of more i'm
portance than individuals. Patriotism
should be placed above party.
Inasmuch as | believe in the declara-
tions of the national, | cannot support
YOU on the Portland platform. ! am
no ..straddler'' and ] would not if |
could. stand on both platforms. If you
stand upon the. national platform. l
will give you as loyal support as lies
in my power. I will take the stump
for YOU. and by every legitimate effort
possible. assist in your election. | be-
lieve in your honesty, and concede the