The Portland daily press., 1898-08-27
ACCEPTS THE NOMINATION.
Gold Democrat viii Run fos Congress in
tho Second District.

inc second bEsbi'Sls
The nominee for Congress Of the Gold
Democrats in the Second Distrist hiss
written the following letter:
Hon. George II. Weeks,
Secretary OF the Second Maine Congress
sional District Convention Of the Ma
t1onal Democratic Party.
Lear olr:-four letter notifying me OF
my nomination as the Democratic oandi-
date for Congress in the Second Maine
District was duly received, and accept
the nomination, recognising the sacred
ness of the trust imposed upon me by
your convention.
This nomination comes, at the present
time, under peculiar circumstances. ]
am informed that have the honor of
the first nomination for Congress ever
given by your party in all New England.
This is distinction coming at moment
when all parties are in state of political
conyulsion. You have nominated me to
renresent the principles of your conven-
ton and to advocate the party platform
of vour national convention held in Indi-
annapolis in 1896. accept the trust, pro-
claim the faith, and will handle the truth
fearlessly throughout the campaign.
cate principles directly opposite to the
platform advocated by either party.
The principles of the Chicago platform
are contrary to the laws of the civilized
nations of the world, and their enforce
mont would bring misfortune and dis
grace upon the country. the 81. Louis
platform straddled the currency question,
and the inventors lacked Sne e, COURAGE 5 10
present any specific plan for the advance
ment of currency reform. The members
of the Chicago convention had the audac-
ity to announce platform Which as
founded the intelligence of the country
and at the present day are wondering
how SO large body OF men seemingly
devoid of all knowledge OF pohGioal econ1
omv ever assembI III convention under
the name of Democracy and endorsed
such platform.
The questions discussed during the last
campaign have not been settled, and still
confront the people with danger. The
present war has brought new responsible
tiles, and they will rest heavily upon our
shoulders. There never was time in the
history OF our country when steady
hand, and wise craftsmanship was more
needed at the helm of State than during
the present crises confronting the nation
We are following the teachings of the
disciples of Democracy. We are the
Democracy! We repudiate all Populiss
sentiments. They are no part OF the
Demooratic party. We enumerate Jour
principles. They were taught by the old
time Democrats who founded the party,
Madison, Jefferson, Jackson, and. the
modern apostles Tildsn and Cleveland.
First-Money,is the measure of labor.
Seoond-Gold only shall be the stand
ard of value for all lawful money OF the
United States
Third-We are opposed to the free and
unlimited coinage of silver, at any ratio,
and the compulsory purchase of silver
bullion by the government. Silver should
be used only for coins of denominations
less than one dollar, coined upon govern
ment account in such quantities as are
needed for change in the ordinary busl-
ness transactions OF the nation.
Fourth-We denounoe the present ma
tional paper currency system as source
of peril to the commercial and labor IN
terest of the country.
Fifth-We firmly oppose the present
banking system, and assert the necessity
of the government divorcing itself from
the banking business.
Sixth-The enactment OF a national
banking law under government sup 3rv1s-
ion, which will afford o uniform, sale
and elastic currency suitable for the
needs of business in all parts OF the coun-
try.
Seventh-Tariff for revenue only. and
the money raised by this system OF taxa
ton shall no be levied to benefit corpora
tiOns; for private gain or pollltcai pur.
poses.
Eighth-The maintenance OF public
order, the sacredness of private and pub
| lie contract, the personal rights OF all
citizens in their requirement. of property,
happiness and general welfare. ,I5s5
Ninth-We oppose the payment OF boun-
ties or subsidies by the government for
| the promotion of private or corporate bus
mess enterprises, either by imitation OF
the currency, tariff or legislative favor,
| as such laws tax the masses for the bene-
| fit of a few individuals. The government
becomes weak when the people lack conf
dence in their own ability to support
themselves in ordinary occupations.
| They must depend upon their own exer-
tions for success. The people constitute
the government. It will be strong and
healthy only when maintained through
their intelligent support and labor.
| Tenth-A graduated income tax should
be one of the means for raising money to
support the government.
| Currency and banking reforms are the
| most important questions to be settled in
American politics. They must be framed
upon the natural laws of finance and
upon the same basis as all the civilized
countries of the world. The tariff must
be SO regulated to allow the greatest free
dom Of trade with all nations, that the
product of American labor may be found
in all parts of the globe.
The industries Of the Second District
are extensive upon land and sea and OF
national reputation. Capital and skill-
| full labor, unhampsred by restrictive laws
are only required for permanent successsi
There are many matters pertaining to
the State, regarding the laws, and the
many executive departments wherein
great improvements could be made
and economies practiced with profit to
the people. These matters should be thor
oughly discussed from the political plat
form.
Municipal reform in our cities and
towns should receive the attention of eve
~ intelligent voter, without political dis,
| tinction. The highest order of Federal
and State government can only be OBJ.
tanned through the encouragement of To-
cal self government.
have the special honor of being the
only candidate, at the present time, NOM
mated for Congress in the State of Maine
on the Democratic platform as ordained
BY the old Democratic party. We stand
for principles alone.
| Sincerely yours,
FRED W. S. BLANCHARD.
Bath, Me-, August 20, 1893.
TT