Willmar tribune., 1900-08-15
Mr. DIVINE DECLINES.
Writes Formal Letter Refusing to
Accept PopGllst Nomination for
Vice Presidency.

Vice Presidency.
Duluth, Mimi, Aug. 8.-Former Con-
gresham Charles a. Towne, who was
nominated for the vice presidency by
the populist national convention, held
at Sioux Falls in May, has sent the
following letter to the committee OF
notification:
"Hon. p. NJ. Ringdal. Chairman, and the
Members OF the Committee on Notification
Peoples Party National Convention. held
at Sioux Falls, 9. D., May 9 and 10, 1900
Gentlemen; When, a on the 5th Of July. at
from You the ocial notication OF Of t6eeave t6e ave
tton of your national convention in nom
mating Ina me for the of1ice of vice president OF
Anomalous and delicate circTmstances M nfew in G1
the presidential situation, that you permit
me to take the subject under careful ad-
either accepting or declining that nomina-
ton. This request you were pleased to
grant am an ana now. after mature consideration
welfare OF the cause of political reform In
this country, and my own duty thereto,
am constrained to inform you, in all re-
rendered me by the Sioux Falls convention
In announcing this conclusion, I cannot
forbear to express to you, and, through
mission you hold, as well as to that patriot
ic body Of advanced political thought thai
your convention represented, my deer
the unanimous choice Of such Convention
for the second highest Office in the service
OF the republic would be distinction to any
1.-TWO circumstances, however, add en-
Phasis to this consideration in the present
instance: First, that the nominate was
unsolicited by me; and, secondly, that the
convention, as in the case also Of it's nom
tnee for the president, went out of it's own
political organization to select a candidate
TO my mind this action of the Sioux Falls
convention, in nominating for president a
representative of the democratic party
and for vice president a representative OF
most encouraging and inspiring spectacles
| in recent politics. Its unselfshness and
magnanimity, its testimony to the prece-
dence of the cause of the people over any
merely partisan advantage, raised the pro-
cedure of that convention into the Serene
upper air of true civic heroism. From such
| spirit as this, what service, what secri-
public? - n.o 49, s.
vice presidency would prove acceptable tc
! the conventions of the democratic and sill
yer republican parties, called to meet in
! yer republicans, 1880 delegates, represent
| ing 2S states and territories, were indeed
eager to name the ticket chosen at Sioux
ton another course commended itself. The
name of your nominee was presented to
| that convention, and was received with re-
the enormous numberSf citizen % SPECTATORS M
and with the utmost respect by the dele.
gates: But geographical considerations,
| country itAwas deemed wise to defer to a
| sentiment demanding that the candida t.
should be man already identified with the
democratic organization, not only by hold
ing its nrinctnlpS and a6V0c9 ting tic
ter tHs ssleeton Of Hsn &dai o. E.
able character and Of ripe political expert
ence, who as member of congress more
than 20 years ago was close associate and
great leaders in the reform political move
from isss ISL ting Isl sacf himssf R1es1
assb1Sfp by ee Of
when Mr. Stevenson had been nom
mated. what was it my duty to do? Ny
name nam h9 had gene Dedo6s the along
ination had been made decisively, and with
absolute fairness. The candidate chosen
was personally unexceptionable; his 10y
| atty to our principles was beyond question
and his career had been a long exemplifi-
cation of them. Manifestly it was my duty
! to support that nomination. Acting upon
publican convention, and succeeded in per.
| suading 1t not to nominate me, and the
vice presidential matter was finally. re:
committee, with full powers. Later in the
night this committee placed the name OF
Mr. Stevenson on its ticket as candidate fo1
"This recital. clearly develops the sttua-
tion as it now Il: Everybody lnows tha,
either Mr.: Stevenson or Mr.. Roosevelt is
States. am expected to take a laborious
vocate the election Of Bryan and Steven.
which was candidate. nominated Bryan
and Stevenson. The silver republican
party. Of which organization was the off,
Saa aeaa Tor nearly earl 1our has
| light should / appear before the American
people If, while advocating the election OF
of 1unnn% sheud es sneSag s3Sg the
the United States would think had the
| slightest chance of being elected, and no.
self seriously as a candidate . Unless "a at tn the
same time he believed me to be absolutely
lacking in common sense. Whom could
such such phantom plnl, candidacy deceive? What
a matter should attempt to deceive any.
| body whatsoever? I know the peoples
party, part to be composed Of men most excep'
ment, So obvious sham could not elude
their vision. Either they would resent my
implied untomplimentary estimate of them
| of me whith could result only in injurine
the cause which it had been the professed
object OF ny mistaken folly to advance
| Consistency and candor in politics, therefore
| my own seSf-respect; proper Difference tC
| the peoples party and a sincere regard fol-
| the welfarl OF the cause of political reform
in the United States, all counsel that now
respectfully replace in your hands the hon.
| orable trutt which your great party com.
mitted to ne in contemplation of differ.
ent completion of affairs than that which
has result{d.
press the profound satisfaction which
| feel in contemplating the present attitude
| of the denpcratc party. In 1896 was one
Of those We ,keenly feeling the recreanc:y
doubt wheher the memorable democratic
convention at Chicago, in adopting its
splendid pAtform and nominating William
by an imptlse or by purpose. The mag.
| nihcent achievements at Kansas City have
settled allpossible doubt on that subject
g9nfa. ad99tS ID sS hot bot on> m
whose fore, dignity and beauty have never
been equaed In similar document, re.
| spends to he new issues presented in the
perialistic iolicy of the administration, by
| an appropriate enunciation of those sub
lime doctrhes OF human rights and ltber-
ties whose profession and observance have
mate haI aIpiness Of mankina: And And
again the dfty. of carrying the banner OF
%bose to as
weakened. which no fear can make to fall
ter and no burden can dismay. The leader
ship Of Brytn which could have redeemed q
| bad platfOlm, sanctifies a good one. 1t
1 made meH4rable All unsuccessful contest.
| with efry sentiment Of respect and
re%s9 caAR%Es RGiS s1nef5SE A T6%SS $RH's