Year: 1878




AUGUSTA, August iG 1878.


Gentlemen-l have the honor to ac-
knowledge tie receipt OF your commuEica-
iion officially informing me that the State
Republican Convention held at Portland
on The thirtieth day of July. bad unanI-
mously renomnated me for the Office OF
Governor OF the State Of Maine


The declarations made by the Republi.
cans Of Maine in convention assembled, a.
an exposition of their political aims aud
principles. enuuciatiug as they do the con-
ceptions OF the nature and functions OF our
National Government. which gave the Re
publican party life and power, and have
maintained 1t In the confidence Of the pro-
pie 80 many years. have my hearty aproy-
al sud concurrence. A. the utteranc"- OF
faithful and influential constituents of the
party which restored the Union. destror ed
slavery. Incorporated In the Constitution
the implicit and emphatic prohibition OF
Infringement upon the rights aud privileges
OF citizens of the United States. aud whose
history i replcte with benefits To the whole
country, they demonstrate that the party
IL still the party OF the people, the deie oder
OF the national supremacy aud OF eQusl
rights, and the Jealous guardian aud pro-
moter OF every iuteres: that concerns the
general good.


The prominence given to the declaration
OF the inyiolabIty OF the faith of the nation
TO it. creditors. to the demand Tor honest
money and for the redemption OF the cur
rency In the manner aud at the time specl-
fled by law. is well deserved in view OF the
agitation which threatens the repudiaiion
of the public debt and the nsequent spoli-
alton OF thod,a of patriotic aud indus
trlous citizen repeal OF the act proyi'i-
ing Tor the r' on OF specie payments
and virtually -uting contract on the
iaith OF which the people have for three
years acted z-.d regul aied their affairs, aud
the iniiictiou upon the couhtry OF an IRE
deemable and iilicIitable currency. The
Resumption Act. a. the immediate object
OF attack. becomes the rallying point for
all friends of honest money and upholders
OF the honor OF the country. The act con-
templates the too long deferred execution
OF the purpose which attended the Issue Of
the currency. and was announced from
time 10 time until 1t eliminated la the pas
sage OF the act. The compulsion OF the
harsh necessities OF war, and the under
standing that il was 10 be but temporary
expedient aud not a measure 10 be contin-
ued beyond the emergency, alone prevailed
over the misgiyiugs OF the statesmen who
gave their assent 10 the issue OF promises
10 pay In place of the real money of the
constitution. By the act of ls69 the faith
of the | nited States was solemuly pledge Ell
ITO make provision, al the earliest practi-
cal period for the redemption OF the United
States notes in coin" The Resumption
Act bestowed ample powers upon the Sec
retary OF the Treasury To prepare for re-
demption. and that official declares his
readiness 10 resume specie payments al
the time fixed by the act. There Is, there
fore. no good reason why q cUnsummatlon
which the government and the people have
so long looked forward 10 as the virdica-
tiOn OF the faith OF the nation and the start
ing point Of a period of substantial pros
perity, should be longer delayed.


The opposition TO the resumption act
proceeds IRON those who object not only
to resumption at present, but 10 resump-
ton at any time; who PROFOUND and are
, enieavoring TO carry luto effect the novel
theory that money Is but a conventional


instrument of exchange and that the gov
ernment can, by a simple nomination OF
value. exalt intrinsically worthless mate
rial 10 a constant and perpetual equality
with the precious metals.


Whatever profitable discoveries may be
made in the search tor perfect medium OF
exchange combining stability and uDiver-
salty OF value with cony enience and ready
adaptation to the fluctuations Of demand,
sound reason, the opinions OF the most EN-
inent statesmen and political economists,
AND the bitter experience OF many states
and countries, our own country among
them. forbid utterly that they should be
looked for in any phase or qualification OF
an irredeemable currency.


Any prospect OF success which a cur
rency DERIVING its value solely from the
asserted pow er OF the government 10 ''cre-
ate" money might have, would be greatly
enhanced by fail redemption under the Re
sumption Act, and, ON the other hand.
would be ruined BY the repeal OF that act.
The scheme OF absolute money" proposes
some sort OF limitation of the volume oi the
currency and places reliance upon the
promise of the government that the limit
will be observed What sanction would
the new promise to limit the new currency
possess if the old promise TO redeem The
old currency had been repudiated!


Ii would seem TO be the consistent poi
icy of the advocates OF the new theory To
insist upon giving full effect to the Resump-
tion Act in order that they might refer 10
so signal An instance Of the fidelity OF the
government to its plighted word, as a
guaranty OF the saeredness of an estab-
lished limit and Of every other promised
safeguard relating to the proposed cur
rency by which they might seek to invite
confidence in the monetary system.


The question in regard to the Resump-
ton Act is a test Of the character OF the
American people. For one, do not doubt
that the test will be nobly borne, and that
they viii, assert their pride In the good
name and fame of their country, their hon
esty. intelligence and steadfas.ness. by ad-
herring to the act and thus honoring the
pledges and action Of the government. full
illing promises to pay. and effectualiy put
ing an end to an irredeemable currency
and the innumerable mischiefs and annoy
xnces caused by it. The danger lies In the
betrayal OF the sentiment Of the people.
The indications are multiplying on all sides
that the Republican Party stands alone as
the champion Of honest money. and alone
deserves the support Of all who would de-
fend that cause strenuously and with Q
whole heart.


The importance attached by the eenven-
| ton to secure Republican control OF the
next House Of Representatives Is fully just
ified BY the immineDce and magnitude Of
| the danger to which it calls attention. The
number and amount Of the claims from the