The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-08-26
GROVER CLEVELAND
ACCEPTS THE NOMINATION FOR
PRESIDENT.

i hLClUENls
An Able, Clear and Statesman-like
Document Devoid of Dema-
gOgy and Bluster.
ALBANY, August 19.-G ,vernor Cleve
lands letter o! acceptance is as follows !:
GENrLEMEN-I have rece.v d your con :.
munication dated July %, 1884, inform.
ing me OF nv nomination to the office
of President of the United States by the
National Democratic Convention lately
assembled at Chicago. accept the
nomination with grateful appreciation of
the supreme honor conferred, and a
solemn sense of the responsibility which,
in its acceptance, assume. l have
carefully considered the platform adopted
by the convention, and cordially approve
the same. So plain a statement of Demo-
cratic faith. .and the principles upon which
that party appeals to the suffrages Of the
people, needs no supplement or explat
nation. 1t should be remembered tba.
the office of President is essentially ex
equity. in its nature. The laws enacted
by the legislative branch of the Govern
ment the chief executive is bound to
ia thfully enforce, and when the wisdom
of political party which selects one OF
its members as its nominee for that of.
fee, has outlined its policy AMI declared
its principles, it seems TO me that moth
ing in the character OF the :e, or the
necessities of the case, requires more
from the candidate accepting such
nomination, than the suggestion OF GER
tain we'll known truths so absolutely tai
to the safety and welfare of the nation
thakthev cannot be too often recalled or
too seriously enforced.
We proudly call ours a government by
the people 1t is not such when class
lis tolerated which arrogates to itself the
management OF public aff,irs, seeking to
control the people instead of represent
ing them Parties are the necessary out
growth OF our insttu ions. but a gov
ernment is not by the people when one
party fastens its control upon the country,
and perpetuates its power, bY cabling
and betraying the people, instead OF
serving them. A government is not by
the people when result which should
represent the intelligent will of free azd
thinking men is or can he determined by
shameless perversion Of their suffrages.
When an election to Office shall be se-
lection by the voters of one OF their
number to assume for a time a public
trust instead OF his dedication to the
profession of politics; when the holders
Of the ballot, quickened by sense Of duty,
shall avenge truth BETRAYED. and pledges
broken, and when suffrage shall be alto-
gethet free and uncorrupted, full real "a
ton OF government by the people will be
at hand. And OF the means to this end
no one would, in INV judgment, be more
effective than an amendment to the Con.
stitntion dlsqualifying the Presideat for
reelection. When we consider the pa
ronage of this office, the alluremen,s OF
power, the temptation to retain public
place once gained, aud more than all the
availability party finds in an incumbent
whom holde OF officeholders, with zeal
born Of benefits received and fostered
by the hope Of powers yet to come,
stand ready to 81 | with money and train
ed political service, we recognize in the
eligibility of the President for re.elect-
ion most serious danger 10 that calm,
deliberate and intelligent political action
which must characterize government
by the people.
A true American sentiment recognizes
the dignity of labor. and the fact tina,
honor lies in honest toll. Contented
labor is a sign Of national prosperity.
Ability to work constitutes capital. and
the wages OF labor the income Of vast
number of our population, aud this in-
terest should be jaalously protected. Oar
workingm.n are not asking unrea .onable
indulgence; but as intelligent and manly
citizens they seek the same consiilera i)r
which those demand who have other in
terrsts at stake. They should receive
their full share Of the care and attention
of those who make and execute the laws.
to the end that the wants and needs OF
employers and employed shall alike be
suhserved and the prosperity of the
country, the common heritage Of both,
be advanced. As related to this subject,
| we should not discourage the immgra.
ton of those who come to ackno wledge
allegiance to our government and add
to our citizen population, vet, as q means
of protection to our workingmen, dif.
ferent rule should prevail concerning
those who, If they come. or are brought
to our land, do not intend to bccom
Americans, hut will injuriously compete
with those justly entitled to our field oi
labor.
In sletter accepting the nomina ion
to the office of Governor, nearly two
years ago, I made the following state
ment, to which have steadily adhered
The labo,ing classes constitute the
main part OF our population They
should be protected in their effort peace.
fully to assert their rights when endan-
gered by aggravated capital, and all stat
utes on this subject should rec'gniz, the
care of the state for honest toll, aud be
framed with a view to improving the
condition Of the workingman." Proper
regard for the welfare OF the working.
MN being inseparably connected with
the integrity OF our instit ,tions, non oi
our citizens are more interested than
they 10 guarding against any cnrruptne
Influences which seek to prevent the
benlfcent purposes Of our government,
and none should be more waichful OF the
artiul Vaccinations of those who allure
them to self-inaicted injury.
| In free country the cur,ailment o.
the absolute right OF the Individual
should only he such as is essential to the
PEACE and good order Of the community.
The limit between proper subjects Of
governmental control and those which
can be more tii,in sly lett to the moral
sense and sell imposed restraint of the
citizen should be carefully kept in view.