The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-28
THE .Nov OF MIR. RUSSELL.

AT the first reading of Ex-Governor
William E. Russell's communication to
the New York World, saying that he is
surprised that the action of the Massa-
chusetts convention in expressing a
preference for him as tho Democratic
candidate for president had attracted
any especial attention outside of his
own state, ETC., one is inclined to be
convinced that it is the declaration of
candid man simply declining a great
honor. But a second reading of it.
when one comes to note that in addi-
ton to the expression of his surprise
that the mention of his name attracts
attention outside of old Massachusetts.
ne proceeds to say that he is not seek
ing the nomination; that he is not de-
sirous of being the candidate; nor does
he wish any movement made in his be-
half outside of his state; that he does
not know that any movement personal
to himself is contemplated, but If it is
he requests and insists that it should
not be made-when his declining thus
grows vehement enc instinctively finds
himself saying, "Methinks the gentle
man doth protest too much.'' Espec-
tally when that same gentleman in
proceeding to tell what the Democratic
party in its national convention should
say on the money issue, one finds
that to be a statement Of what the
gentleman himself subscribes to-what
he would probably want as the plat
form-then with some Impotence one
may find himself saying: "Pshaw! the
gentleman's hard NO means yes, and
here's his PLATFORM
And that impression grows on one
when he finds the ex-governor's signed
statement to the World is supplement-
ed by lengthy interview sent as a
special dispatch to the same paper, in
which he is represented as saying:
The position of president is one of
tremendous responsibility. It involves
so many things, requires so much of
the man who would fill it. 1 doubt
yes, L doubt very much-if I would
care TO take up the load were it thrust
upon me-
Now If Mr.. Russell can only find
some friend at Chicago who will plead
as well for the goldite wing of the
party as the gentleman from Massa-
chusetts can now say may" to the
party, if it be not brought to a happy
issue, Mr.. Russell will at least be put
in nomination at the Chicago conven-
tfon.
But the end of the protest is not yet;
he says:
& believe that a president should go
into Office unfettered. Therefore,
hold firmly that 1 could never even be
a candidate on a platform that was
not in accordance with my own prin-
ciples. 1 would never consent to strad-
die on finance or any other public
question. 1 should not go into Office
bound by hampering declarations, re-
stricted in the power of veto, helpless
in authority"
Would you accept a nomination
upon a platform of your own beliefs?''
Il don't know. I should hesitate very
seriously. But this is too far ahead. 1
tell you in ell earnestness again, that
first the Democratic party must settle
these financial questions that are dis
other men may be doing about seeking
a nomination, but of this one thing l
am positive. no one shall go to the
pledged to me and unmind-
full of what is best for the party and
the country"
Come, come, Mr.. Russell, we believe
you to be a reasonably good sort of a
fellow, but this is simply too much.
We can stand a little protestation
with very good grace, but when you
first throw it on with trowel, and
then discard even the trowel and pile
it on with shovel, we must say you
simply overpewer US and we must
think you little insincere in this
matter. and that it does not strengthen
our admiration for you.
1t may be taken for granted that
William E. Russell is in the field for
the Democratic nomination for the
presidency despite his protests to the
contrary, and this is his position on
the money issue and his bid for the
honor:
81 am firmly of the opinion, as 1 have
recently said, that our national plat
form ought explicitly and emphatically
to oppose the free coinage of silver or
it's compulsory purchase, or any COM
promise legislation in tina: direction,
and that it ought to endorse and COM !
mend the administration of President
Cleveland for its resolute work in main
tanning our present gold standard and
in preserving the credit of the nation |
Il think it would be neither right nor
wise to attempt to avoid or straddle
thdis question by any ambiguous or
declaration. The time has
passed for that. The issue must be
made and fought out"