The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-10
NO RETIRING UNDER FIRE
OHIO REPUBLICANS REFUSE TO
ABANDON THE CAMPAIGN.
Democrats Had Asked Them to Dur
ing the Presidents Sickness-Chair-
man Dicks Strong Reply.

COLUMBUS. O.. Sept. 9. - Chairman
Dougherty, of the Democratic State COM
mittee, to-day addressed a letter TO Chair
man Dick. of the Republican committee.
asking that all political meetings be de-
clared off during the illness of President
Mckinley. and referring to the alleged fact
that 1.-The same arrangement was perfected
following the assassination of President
Garfield.
Chairman Dick. of the Republican State
executive committee tonight sent the fol-
lowing reply. declining to acquiesce in
Chairman Dougherty's suggestion:
THE Republican State executive COM
mittee agrees most heartily with every
preston of your committee in regard TO
President Mckinley, and joins with you in
denunciation of the dastardly crime which
may deprive the country of its chosen chief
magistrate and our State of its most dis
tinguished citizen. We share your sympa-
thy for all who suffer from the blow and
join i'm your prayer for the Presidents
speedy recovery.
However, it does not seem to appro-
pirate to acquiesce in your suggestion that
we abandon our public maintenance of the
principles that President Mckinley repre-
sents, and which he has so often and
ably presented to the people. We note your
remark that "A similar proposal was made
by the Democratic committee in Ohio in the
year CARRIED was aSSasSinated and that
the same was accepted by the then Repub
lican committee The record corrects your
misunderstanding in regard TO this matter,
showing that the suggestion to that effect
from the Hon. Clark Irvine, then chairman
of your State committee. was declined by
the Hon. George X. Nash. at that time
chairman of the Republican State executive
committee. Chairman Nash in his reply
stated that the Republican committee had
determined fair honest and candid pre-
sentation of the principles of the Repub-
lican party would be neither improper nor
unpatriotic. These principles President
Garfield loved and advocated with all his
great power. From his lifelong and mag
nificent record we know that their triumph
is most earnestly wished for by him.
Whether by the will of Providence. Pres
ident Garfield lives or dies, 1t is the sacred
duty of Republicans to use all proper means
to maintain those principles. President
Garfield. when a soldier for the Union,
never faltered because an eminent and use
full commander fell upon the field OF battle.
If Garfields voice could be heard he would
bid his old comrades, DO not abandon
principles because | suffer" In contending
for these principles and their principles the
Republicans will follow his example and
obey his command.
THE present case parallels this exactly
with the additional circumstance that in
the present campaign the Democratic
party of Ohio has again brought forward
as its most prominent issue the great ma
tional question with which President Nc
Kinley has been most conspicuously iden-
titled, and has demanded the abolition of
the so-called protective system, of which
he has been the most distinguished advo-
cate. seeking to substitute for it. as a ma
tional policy, the traditional Democratic
policy of a tariff for revenue only
IF it were not becoming fidelity to Gar
field and his principles TO leave the fight
for a time because the leader was strick-
en down, still less is it honorable for Nc
Kinley's friends in his own State to aban-
don the contest just at the time when his
most cherished principles are brought into
question as the foremost issue of this and
succeeding campaigns. 1t seems to this
committee, therefore, that we can best at
re- DIF n n IN q
our advocacy of the principles which he
has always supported If it may seem
best to your committee to withdraw from
antagonlZlng those principles and TO cease
from further advocacy of political doc
trines which the President has always be-
lieved TO be perilous to the prosperity Of
the entire country. we shall be very glad
indeed TO be advised to that effect, and
to have your hearty cooperation here
after in the maintenance of more whole
some public policies.
I'm any event, and in accordance with
the lifelong conduct of President McKin-
ley of courtesy i'm all political campaigns,
our committee and the entire Republican
party will be especially glad to unite with
you i'm whatever will soften the asperity
of the controversies. eliminate unwarranted
personalities and make the contest one
devoted exclusively TO the consideration of
the great principles that separate the two
opposing schools of political opinion.
president Mckinley may not survive
but the principles for which he stood will
live and triumph if we in the discharge Of
Jul huiS do NiNiItiiS meet every iriuiif-
ment with the same patriotism and de-
votion 10 principles that have characterized
the life of William Mckinley. We appre-
ciate your expression OF sympathy for the
President, and join I'm your hope for his
recovery; but should the country be called
upon 10 mourn his loss. this committee will
cooperate with all loyal citizens in all
things needful for honoring his memory.
Therefore. we believe IL to be our high
est duty 10 the country. and To the Pres
ident. and 10 the course which would COM
mend itself 10 his best judgment to go
forward in oCr maintenance and advocacy
of the doctrines dear 10 him and so i'm
Iortant TO the welfare OF the people and
the DrOgress of the country