The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-09-29
The Central Truths.


The Central Truths.
] have considered all this and while
/ keenly feel the criticism of my
friends and sorely regret any necessity
for taking any step which would di-
rectly or indirectly inture the candi-
dacy OF any of them, yet I beg of all
OF them to remember that far above
all petty office, far above all personal
ambition, greater than any man or any
political party, stand the eternal truths
for which we contend. If il shall be
said that the course which / propose
involves any abandonment of our re-
spective organizations ! answer that
such is not either the necessary or log
ical result. My action simply contem-
plates the carrying out in their entire
perfection so far as we have control OF
the situation, all of the plans of our ma
tlonal leaders. | have an abiding faith
In the loyalty and patriotism of the
great mass Of the silver forces of the
state and am confident that however
keenly they may have felt the disap-
pointment incident upon the failure to
unite at Anaconda, or growing out of
TINS communication, they will remem-
Der their duty to principle and ulti-
mately endorse the proposal which I
make which contemplates the concen-
tration of all silver votes upon one sill
yer candidate. and at the same time
maintains the integrity and separate
existence Of the respective political or
ganizations. l realize that upon the
reading of this letter many will saw
that / lack in courage to continue the
contest. Against that argument | place
my public record. To that argument
l say that ] fear no political contest
with a political foe. But when | en-
gage In a battle for principle, and the
forces are marshalled in the form of
public opinion, and | find myself.
whether justly or unjustly. in the atti-
tude Of an opponent to one of the par
ticipants in that contest who is fight
ing to sustain the same great princi-
pie which Is dear to me, confess that
my heart fails me i'm the presence Of
a peril which thereby surrounds the
great central truth which has been the
inspiration of my public career In the
Of the United States. In short.
the personal equation has no place in |
this great problem. The sole question |
involved Is the success of the cause |
ana that success can best be assured |
by all silver forces uniting to elect ore
If IL be an evidence of Iacl; |
OF moral courage for me to decline T. |
divide !he silver forces, and thereby |
lmperil the success of the cause wne' /
Il hes in my power TO prevent such dl |
L
neither inclination nor courage to as
sumo so great responsibility.
Final and IrrevocabIe.
In coming to this decision. which is
final and irrevocable, have been com
PEELED to struggle with some reasons
which will be advanced in opposition
TO my course by my friends through
1ut the length and breadth of this com
nonwealth. That all Of them will not |
1t first concur in my decision there Is
10 doubt; that many will criticise and
'0me severely reprobate this action is
equally certain. For the criticism of
political enemies | care nothing-for
he approval OF personal and political
r.ends / am sincerely solicitous. But
Inless my course meets the approval |
4 myself there is no peace. Without
'eference then 10 what political organ
cation may be charged with the re-
possibility for the division Of our
0rces, without reference To personal
disappointment OF my friends and my
elf, ! cannot justify the retention of
ny name as a candidate for congress
L the bar OF my own conscience, when
Ich retention involves the division OF
ne silver forces.
In the quiet Of my own home. unin-
uenced by other arguments or con
4deTauons than the sincere desire 4
scertain my full duty. and then L
10 Il, / have determined upon thi.
curse, Whatever disapproval or cen
ure either friend or foe shall deea.
1erited must be directed solely al me
'Eere are no others to share il. t.
nose friends who are unable to agree
it'll me as TO the wisdom OF the de,
islNn, i can only say that | cOncedC |
a them the same sincerity OF PURPOSE |