The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-24
such reprehensible violation of the clear
and rightful intent and spirit of the law.
DICT1~-- r.r30-F pAUL- I1nApD


fairs 1 attempted. some six mopths ago.
to resign from the Park Board, but at
your personal request and the united re-
quest of my feilow-members OF the board,
officially expressed, withdrew that resig-
nation, but with the accompanying an
nouncement that the withdrawal was but
temporary and would be renewed at a
later period. However, in my action at
this immediate time 1 am especially gov
erned by the political. considerations just
mentioned, and l therefore now officially
and formally tender you my resignation
as president of the indianapolis Board of
Park Commissioners and member thereon
for the term expiring Jan. l. 19O3 and IN
doing so desire TO express to you my sin
cere appreciation OF the continued KIND
ness and courtesy received at your hands
while connected with your official family,
as well as of the pleasant personal rela-
tions which have always existed between
US during our long acquaintance and
friendship.
The great interest that 1 have felt In the
creation and development of the park sys-
tenn of Indianapolis, with which have so
long been associated result of the two
appointments upon the city's park COM
missions with which you have honored me,
i assure you will not be lessened Dy my
withdrawal from official connection with
1t, and L congratulate our city and our
mayor that we now have IN active opera
ton a splendid system or parks that In
brief period will not be surpassed py any
city of its size in the United States, ana
which, after the few years of further nec-
essary cultivation and development Will
be the pride and glory of all our people L
am glad to have had some part IN the crea-
tion of this great public utility, and in this
labor of love TO have served my yellow
citizens to the best of my humble ability,
without salary and without reward In
severing my connection with the present
-s.l. hnN
organization, L desire especially to bear
testimony to the zeal, worth and ability of
my colleagues upon that board, all Oh
whom are your own personal appointees.
/ congratulate you upon the wisdom us
played in their selection, for their unselflSn
devotion TO the interests of the city, strict
integrity, high character and eminent Mt
ness especially qualify them for the impor-
tant duties which they are called upon TO
discharge. and / shall ever carry with me
the most pleasant remembrances OF my
personal and official association with them.
UNSAFE POPULISM.
Having announced my purpose to oppose
the election of Bryan and Stevenson as the
nominees of the party organization with
which 1 have so long been associated, II
will not be inappropriate for me to here
state some of the reasons that have infiu-
enced me in arriving at that political con-
clusion, as it at least has never been
charged against me that 1 lacked the cour-
age Of my convictions or failed in the will
ingness TO stand by and defend my political
opinions. Being radically and earnestly op-
posed to the principles of the Populist
party now in practical control of the pres
ent Democratic organization, l cannot sup
port any man or set of men who stand up
on the Kansas City platform of 1900 and the
reiterated Chicago platform of 1896. The
til atnA1 n
declarations of political faith are, in my
opinion, unsafe, unwise and unpatriotc.
hurtful in their present effect and danger
Gus TO the future welfare and prosperity OF
the country. / may be wrong in my con-
clusions, and many of my old political
friends who do not now agree with me may
be right in theirs-and / concede to every
man that honesty of purpose which claim
for myself-but, holding the opinions which
do, 1 cannot, as an honest man, now pur-
sue any other course. Familiar as you are
with my past political career, no man can
comprehend hetter than yourself the pain
it has caused me TO be compelled to sever
the party associations with which / have
been so actively and intimately affiliated
for the past quarter of a century. 1 assure
you the step has not been taken without
many hours of anxious thought and earnest
consideration. but my conscience will not
longer permit me to place party above
patriotism.
As in 1892, 1 again in 1896 had the honor
to be a delegate to the Democratic ma
tionai convention at Chicago from the
Seventh congressional district of Indiana,
unanimously elected as such by conven-
tion that split in twain over the election of
.he second delegate. AS is we'll known,
wholly disapproved of the revolutionary
and undemocratic platform adopted by the
Chicago convention, and, therefore, took no
active part in the national campaign that
followed. /, however. like many others who
"sulked in their tents during that con-
test. remainded quietly inside the Demo-
hnnd n6 hl1f ha
the passing wave of Populism and anarchy
that had for the time being engulfed the
Democracy would be shaken off after the
election was over and that it WAS hut n
spasmodic triumph of evil from which the
cid party would again return to the honest
faith of the fathers who created it. The
repeated evidence during the last four years
that that hope was not we'll founded have
been lastingly confirmed by the fact that
the recent Kansas City convention reiter-
ated its Endorsement of the evils set forth
in the lawless Chicago platform, and added
thereto, in my opinion, the most indefensi-
bic and unpatriotic demands looking TO
the dishonOr of the American flag and the
glorious achievements of the gallant SOL
diers and sailors who have given up their
lives in its defense in Porto Rico Cuba and
the Philippine islands.
PARTY SERVICES.
However much / may now differ with
them i'm their departure from the princi-
pies Of true Democracy, / am glad in this
connection to be able to say that I sever
my late political affiliations with none but
the most cordial personal feelings for my
former party associates. from whom have
ever received the most kindly and consider
ate treatment at all times and under all
circumstances. / recall now with especial
qualification that L not only never sought
nomination at the hands of my Demo-
cratic friends that Ii was not unanimously
given me, but that never aspired to any
position, high or low. within the party or
ganization that 1t was not as freely ac-
corded me, which / may say with justifi-
able pride is a highly gratifying record
after twenty-five years of most active par
ticipation in all the conventions and coun-
ellis of my party, during which time | may
| truthfully say that | have not been a
chronic seeker for Office or reward. but
have persistently and repeatedly refused
all offers of party nomination for election
to Office from the time of my refusal TO
| be a candidate for reelection to Congress
| In 1854. over the officially expressed regrets
o. the convention, down to the present
time.
However. / may be pardoned, while thus
expressing my appreciation of the uniform
| hands of my fellow Democrats if / here
say that I feel that they were in some
sense thus ever faithful and considerate
| TO me because I'm all the past / was ever
equally true and devoted in my service to
them. No man has had better opportunity
| than yourself TO know that have not been
| a drone in the Indiana party hive: that
have served IL over twenty-five years con-
| tinuously in the working position of COM
s.ff4 s,aU ~ ne