Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-25

ination said:
81 sincerely thank you for this cor
dial greeting. Such a welcome from
the delegates in our first great state
convention is an inspiration. l DO not
take IL e.s personal but as your recep-
ton TO one who is willing to give free
ly of time and energy, in support oil
those great principles for which we
struggle.
You have done me the great honor
of nominating me as the first candidate
for Governor of the Progressive party
of the State of Maine.
II accept your nomination, fully con-
scious of it's tremendous burden OF re-
sponsibillty. l accept it in the same
spirit in which it is rendered. not as
n favor but as call to serve the
common cause.
"Uppermost in my mind is the
thought of all the service and EFFORT
required, and | should shrink from
such demands did l not Know the 10y
atty of your support to all whom you
ask to serve.
Il know most of you men person
ally and have not forgotten the back
ing you gave few of us who led the
uphill fight in the fall of 1912.
"The liberty of a personal state
ment is taken at this time because of
the continued attempt by certain OPP
position newspapers to make it appear
that every nominee of the Progressive
party is a self-seeker.s
II have not sought this nomination.
/ have not asked support for it from
any man.
ii - tAnt
accept against personal desire and bus
mess interests. l had hoped 1t would
not seem my duty to accept any NOM
nation.
I'VE meet in this splendid conven-
ton with delegates fairly and proper
ly chosen by the Progressive voters OF
the cities and towns of the entire
state, duly authorized to adopt plat
form, elect the members of the State
organization and give the new party a
legal standing, which cannot be ques-
toned.
you represent that rapidly growing
number of voters in this State and IN
the nation, who repudiate the manage
ment and oppose the political philoso-
ply of both of the old parties,
You oppose the Democratic party
for its weak national policy; it's I'M
sound economic policy. and its I'M
wholesome management of State at
fairs.
You oppose the Republican party
for its opposition to popular govern
mef,t. for it's development of class rule,
for the betrayal of pledges by the last
administration. and above all for trad
ing on your loyalty to It's early rec
ord. peryerting all its original pur-
noses by a selfish. unpatriotic, unholy
alliance between privileged special in
terests and the trade of office holding.
1--WE point to that wonderful cove
nant with the people. adopted by the
first Progressive National convention
and defy any man or any party TO op-
emily oppose the principles therein con-
tanned.
1T is the Magma charta of Economic
Freedom.
TT is the Declaration of Rights OF
those who work.
I'VE are in the midst Of crisis OF
economic evolution.
"The Progressive party is protest
and an aspiration.
"The protest took organized form IN
August 1912, when at that great Pro-
gressiye convention, the people served
notice that endurance had ceased to be
virtue.
THE protest was effectual-how
much so was shown by the Repupl-
can electoral vote of 1912-lsl6 VIII
see the added protest against Demo-
cratic national inefficiency and hurtfni
economic policies.
"The Progressive party is an aspira-
ton.
1--WE aim to restore popular govern
ment in our country.
I'VE believe in government that
will assist the masses and protect the
individual from harmful conditions
against which the individual cannot
stand alone.
In the short time / should occupy
here today. no argument on specific
| matters is proper or feasible. The
/ important business of this convention
must go on.
I'VE are as a party in the formative
period. 1t is necessary TO keep always
before the voter what we stand for.
| The education of the people concern
| ing the great aims of the Progressive
party has just begun.
I'VE should repeat our creed on all
occasions.
"Politically-We believe that govern
ment belongs to the people and advo-
cate legislation, State and national
| giving the people most direct express
sion and control of government.
| "Socially-We believe that the we'll
being Of the people of this country de-
| mand that human rights be considered
always as superior to property rights
! and for this reason advocate legisla-
| ton which makes this idea directly In
force by law.
+ "Economically-We believe that
there are in America resources in pro-
cess of development and undeveioped
which If properly conserved and util-
ized would give every man, woman
and child in this country necessary
food, shelter, clothing, and the ordi-
nary comforts of life
Wheeler Withdraws for Gardner
The resolutions committee, not hav-
1