The Wilmington daily Republican., 1902-03-24
CHURCHMAN
TO AbLEE.

| mIILee reply 10 lnc harmony propOSl
tion OF the Union Republican State
Committee was sent to j. Frank
Alice, chairman OF the latter commit
tee today.
| The answer was decided on at a
meeting of the regular Republican
State Committee on Saturday last
1t is as follows:
j. Frank Alice. Esq, Chairmen OF
the Union Republican State Commit.
tee of Delaware. Sir.-YOur com.
munication of Jan. 25tl. was duly
received and ,submittcd to the mem-
bers of this committee, who after
mature deliberation direct me to sub.
nit the following reply.
/. We join you in expression OF the
wish that the efforts ofall the Repub.
llcans of the State may be bent to
securing Republican victory at the
coming election. We believe that
the success of our party is necessary
to secure the government for tho
State and the several counties, and
to this end we counsel the use Of all
honorable means and the putting
aside for the time of all personal
ambitions which are likely to defeat
this object.
We assure you and the electors you
represent that the opposition to Demo.
cratic methods and Democratic poli-
ces which has characterized our par.
ty since the time of Lincoln, yet re.
mains a prime feature Of our organic
cation.
But while entertaining these sen.
timents, we deem 1t the part of wis.
dom before entering into any new
arrangement to weigh Ithe reasons for
the merger of the two organizations,
as proposed in your communica ion.
We are led to ask whether it lis
practicable, whether it would be per- :
manent and to the advantage Of the
party at large. In your letter you
suggest method whereby the Re-
publican parties MAY become merged
into one organization, under single
State Committee, under which you
propose that all the Republicans and
Union Republicans Shall loyalty fight
the battle Of the next campaign.
We regret that though our wish
to sec an end OF Republican strife
is no less than yours, and that al.
though the hops OF united party
10 fight the common enemy is at.
tractivc. yet we are compelled 10
conclude that the ends desired can
not be attained in the manner YOU
propose; but we are constrained to
say that in our Judgment VIC snould
by its acceptance imperil Repub-
lican success or render it lmpossi-
bic.
Leaving out Of consideration tho
matter Of the appointment Of dele
gates as suggested by you, to which
we might find serious objection did
we deem that matter at issue, we
must recognize that the reasons for
the formation of the two organiza.
tions continue, and that further dlf-
ferences have been seen in the last
few years which make complete rec
onclIation extremely difficult.
In thus adjusting the party ma.
chinery We should leave untouched
The principals an adherence TO which
has caused tht present affiliations
and the massI Of sRcpublican voters
would deem our action mere po.
litical jugglery without reference to
the motives acthating their conduct
in assuming The position they now
lold.
This committee has no such
powers and could act in the prem.
ses only when authorized by a
'egulariy constituted convention OF
he voters OF the voters Of our party
:alled for that purpose.
A state convention such as your
proposes would result in
| ma ority OF the delegates for
ither the Republicans or the
Jnion Republicans. This would
Increase rather than alIav the Bit
erness which at present exists.
Should such convention assemble
would proceed to establish rules
or the government OF the party at
arge. In the nature Of thinge these
would favor the contentious Of one
,arly and meet with tn. bitter op-
position OF the other.
A new state committee would be
ormed. composed oi representatives
+ the two organizations as now
onstituted. Que party would have
majority and would proceed to
lect hairnan ot ito own faith
nd to conduct the aiTairs Of the
IN accordance with Its
wn policy. The members Of such
committee could not possibly
rork together harmoniously and
he results would be disastrous 10
he party at large.
AS at present constituted tho
wo parties hold the allegiance OF
heir respective following. aud this
ombined conslituteth full Repub.
ican strength. Tuder the system
VII ch has been followed in the last
wo campaigns there has been an
grcement on candidates and this
as resulted in the poll OF the full
otes which meant victory.
In our opinion until the fundamen-,
al differences between the organlza-
ions are removed, this represents the
MY feasible plan of securing the
lpport OF all Republican Electors,
nd in our opiaion it should be con.
inued. .-...-- 49,
Under these conditions, looking to
49,
eX! fall, and with the hope tnat
crsonal ambitions may be subordI-
ated TO that end we cannot but re.
lse to comply with your request,
lille indulging in the hope that the
.al causes Of party strife may dis
ppear when harmonious and fratcr.
al action may again ne possible.
Yours very truly
(Signed) Philip =. Churchman,
uirn1