Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-09-17
letter FROM P. ]. FORD
addressed 10 His Fellow Democrats Of
the State Of Delaware.
he STATES HIS POSITION PLAINLY
And Urges a United Support of
Ebe w. Tunnel.

To the Democratic Electors OF Della
Hare- Gentlemen: In view of the false
Impression that has been pat forth
throughout the State by individuals
hnd by some of the public press, deem
IL duty owe to myself and my fell
low citizens, both Protestant and Cath.
Bile, to eradicate any error or misappre-
bension that may prevail regarding my
Defeat for the nomination for Governor.
In advance / may say, in no sense
bffer this as an apology for any resent
nent, expressed or felt, ON the part OF
my co-religionists or my friends of
bther creeds, who / assume, honestly
Believed they had q just grievance;
neither do / mean to imply that
would not be animated bJ the same
bpirit of resentment, il the action OF
that or any convention in the future
bed me to believe was of a proscriptive
nature. Nor is this to be understood
NJ a surrender of one iota of principles
jkhich prize more than any office or
Iconsideration within tho gift Of the
people; for no office or promises that
could be made by any body, unuer any
circumstances, would induce me TO
write this communication, but do it,
being prompted solely by tho duty
feel owe our people and our party. l
will never stultify myself or my friends
to the extent of condoning any aifront
to my faith, now or hereafter; further
more, ,ahall always reserve to myself
The right to resent any aifront to our
people as a class, or to myself as AN
Iindividual. And while speaking on this
question, let re say that remarks, such
as have been used in our conventions,
q ilogistic or condemnatory of candi-
dates, creed or genealogy, shall meet at
least my strongest opposition. The
Democracy of Delaware have no inter
est in any mans creed. The only
Essential qualifications are honesty,
capability and genuine American ism |;
Tor l believe it il fundamental right,
BIS we'll as duty, every man owes to
himself his creed, and his conscience,
10 resent at the polls or otherwise any
aspersions OF any character on his faith.
As to the reason of my defeat, must
confess on my honor as a man and q
catholic, impelled only by sense Of
luty to our people, that do not
bscribe my defeat to my faith. Every
Instance in my candidacy. down to the
close of tho ballot, only confirms this
conclusion. In the first place, while
the impression was tried to be created,
that was in the position of seeking
the office, l desire to say, from the
tirst day the suggestion was made to
me by party of leading Democrats
from the different counties, all of
whom were Protestants, / never APP
proached man In this State, for the
purpose Of influencing him in my be.
half. In regard to the treatment of
,nyself by the people of Kent and Sus-
box, have. neither could have, other
THAN the kindest recollections On q
numbor Of occasions 1 had reason to
test their friendship. L have gone to
their representatives in the Legislature
ut different times, stranger and op-
posed by the strongest political and
paid Hobbies ever known in this State,
and while not always successful,
have never had reason to be ashamed of
the result of my endeavors. My
Btaunchest and most unyieldipg friends
III the Legislature, even to this day, 1
am proud to say, without exception,
were members of the Protestant faith,
Of the most pronounced type.
Again | had the assurance. verbally
and by letter, from most of the same
gentlemen who supported Mr.. Tunnel,
that should he not be a candidate /
would undoubtedly be their choice, a
fact that would have assured my nomi-
nation, had Mr.. Tunnel not been men
toned, as we'll ss demonstrating that
my faith did not influence their
actions. Therefore, my Catholic fell
low citizens, you whom particularly
address, / hope you will credit me
with the only desire that animates this
letter, that is to be just to people
among whom tho rays of intolerance
have not penetrated. The people oil
this State, particularly of Kent and
Sussex, have been maigned, not you.
You only judged of the facts as they
appeared ON the surface, but you say
religion was injected into this contest.
True, but not to an extent ttat would
Indicate any considerable sentiment OF
bigotry, and believe not sufficient to
defeat me.
You furthermore say: 1--WE (Catho-
lies, and our fathers have voted the
ticket for years, and at times, ten to
one when not solitary Catholic name
graced it, and never gave passing
thought as to tho faith of candidates. "
In answer to this. | will say that that
il true; nevertheless the first intima-
ti0n that my faith would be a bar ia
my nomination or election, was adj
ranced by man who Processes to be q
Roman Catholic and whose repeated
assertions that the Methodists of Kent
and Sussex would prescribe me owing
to my creed believed then, and believe
still, is q foul libel on tho manhood
and Americanism of our Protestant fel
low-citizens. In his efforts to spread
this report, no was ably seconded by
another character who claims to be {
catholic Il would not accuse him o.
being. anything.) These. with another
individual, regarding whom l shal
take liberty to inform the people o
delaware when the occasion justifies
are mainly responsible for the presen
condition of feeling in this State, bu
have sufficient faith in the manhood
OF Delaware to believe. when the tim,
arrives, they will put such a seal o
condemnation on these men and thei
methods that time will not eradicate
Fellow citizens. the party must not Ia
rent asunder for the acts or expression
OF these irresponsible people.
A few more words will show my exac
feelings. l shall, by all means in m.
power, advocate and support Mr.. Tun
nell's election, and earnestly beg M
friends to set aside all feeling of resent
mont and do what / believe Mr.. Tun
hell would have done, had beel
hohored with the nomination of GU
Phrty-which has been and always vii
pr' II | can accomplish it, inyincibl
anu undivided, so long as its acts ar