Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-08-22
Clcvcland's Letter OF Acceptance.


go. / accept tho nomination with grateful
appreciation Of the supreme honor conferred
aud SOLEMN sonso of the responsibility which,
in its acceptance, l assume
/ have carefully considered tho platform
adopted by the convention and cordially mp
prove tho same SO plain statement Of Dom
ooratic faith and the principles upon which
that party appeals 10 the sufTrages of the
people, needs no supplement or explanation
II should DO remembered that tho office Of
President Is essentially executive in it's ma
turo. The laws enacted by tho legislative
branch Of the government the chief exeou-
tive Is bound faithfully 10 enforce, and when
tho wisdom Of the political party which 60
lects one of its members rs nominee for
that Office has outlined its policy and de-
clared its principles, il seems to me that moth
ing in the character of the Office or of the
necessities of the case require moro from the
candidate accepting such nomination than
the suggestion of certain we'll known truths
so absolutely vital TO the safety and welfare
of tho nation that they cannot DO too often
recalled or seriously enforced.
We proudly call ours n government Of the
people. 1t is not such when class il tolor.
atod which delegates to itself the manage.
ment Of public affairs, seeking to control the
people instead Of representing them. Par
ties are the necessary outgrowth Of our insti-
tutiong, but q government Is not by tho PEG
pie when one party fastons it's control upon
the country and perpetuatos itg power by ca
ioling and betraying tho people, instead of
serving them. A government is not by the
people whom a result which should represent
the intelligent will Of free and thinking mon
is, or can be, determined by the shameless
corruption Of their sufirages. When an olec-
ton to office HhRll be the selection by the
~ ~ - L..
time a public trust instead of his dedication
to the profession of politics when tho hold
ers OF the ballot, quickoned by sense Of
duty, shall avonge truth betrayed and pledges
broken, and whom tho suffrage shall DO alto.
gothor free and uninterrupted. tho full roal-
ization Of government by tho people will
DO at hand And Of tho means to this end
not ono would, in my judgment, be moro ef.
foctive than an amendment 10 the constitu-
ton disqualifying the President from reelec.
ton. When we consider the patronage of
this great Office the alurements Of power
tho temptation to retain public place once
gained, and moro than all, the availability q
party finds in an incumbent when a horde OF
oilice-holders, with zeal born OF benefits
received and fostercd by the hopo of fayors
yet to come stand ready to aid with money
and trained political service, We recognize
in the eligibility'of the President for reGlec.
ton most serious danger TO that calm, de-
hberato and intelligent political action which
must characterize government by the poo.
pie.
A true American sentiment recognizes tho
dignity OF labor, and the fact that honor lies
in honest toll Confronted labor il an ele-
ment Of national prosperity. Ability 10 work
constitutes the capital, and tho wage of labor
the income Of vast number of our popuIa-
ton and this interest should DO jealously pro.
tected. Our workingmen are not asking un.
reasonable Indulgence but, az intelligent
and manly citizens, they sock the same con
sideration which those demand who have
other interests 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 the employ
ers and employed shall alike DO subsorved.
and the prosperity OF the country the com
mon heritage Of both, be advanced, az related
TO this subject While we should not dis
courage the immigration of those who wish
TO acknowledge allegiance to our government
and add to our citizen population, yet as a
means Of protection TO our wOrkingmen a
different rule should prevail concerning those
who. II they come, or arc brought, 10 our
land, do not intend to become Americans,
but will injuriously compete with those Justly
thAAAAoh W Jul ANAA Vi lhbbIs III u lUllGr AC-
cepting the nomination to the Office of Gov
ornor, nearly two years ago, made the fol.
lowing statement, to which have steadily
adhered The laboring classes constitute
tho main part OF our population. They
should be protected in their efforts peaceably
to assert their rights when endangered by ag-
gregated capital, and all statutes on this sub.
jet should recognize the care of the state for
honest toll, and be framed with Wow Of i'm.
proving the condition Of the workinpman. .
4 proper regard for the welfare of the work
ingman being insepsrably connected with the
integrity OF our constitution, none OF our
citizens are more interested than they in
guarding against any corrupting influences
which sock to pervert the benehcient pur-
poses of our government and none should be
more watchful of the artful Vaccinations of
those who allure them to self-inilicted injury.
In a free country, the curtailment of the ab.
soluto rights Of the individual should only be
such as is essential 10 the peace and good
order of the community. The limit between
the proper subjects OF governmental control
and those which can be more fittngly left TO
the moral sense and solf-imposed restraint OF
tho citizens should be- carefully kept in view.
Thus, laws unnecessarily interfering with tho
habits and customs OF any Of our people,
which are not offensive 70 the moral sentiments
Of the civilized world and which are consis.
tent with good citizenship and the public
welfare, arc unwisa aud yeXatious.
The commerce OF nation to Il great extent
determines its supremacy Cheap aud easy
transportation should therefore be literally
fosterod, within the limits Of the constitution.
The general government should so improve
and protoc; its natural waterways as will en-.
able the producers OF tho country to reach a
profitable market. The people pay the
wages of the public employees, and they are
entitled 10 tho fair and honest work which
the money thus paid should command 1t Is
the duty Of those entrusted with the manage.
ment of their affairs to see that such public
service IL forthcoming The selection and re.
tention of subordinates in government EN-.
| ployment should depend upon their ascer.
tanned fitness and the value OF their work,
and thoy should neither DO expected, nor al
lowed, to DO questionable party service. The
interests OF the people will be better pro.
tected, the estimate of public labor and duty
will DO immensely improved, public employ.
ment will be open to all who who can demon.
| stTaie their fitness to enter it, the unsoemly
| scramble for place under the government.
| with the consequent importantly which en-
bitters official life, will cease, and the public
| departments will not be filled with those who
conceive it their first duty to aid the party to
whlcn they owe their places, instead OF rem
dering patient and honest return to the people
believe that the public temper is such that
the voters of the land are prepared to support
the party which gives the best promise Of ad
ministering tho government in the honest,
simple and plain Kramer which is consistent
with its character and purposes. They have
learned that mystery and concealment in the
management Of their affairs cover tricks and
betrayal. The statesmanship they require
consists in honesty and frugality prompt
response to the needs Of the people as they
arise, and the vigilant protection OF all theii
varied interests.
II l should DO called to the chief magistra
cy of the nation by the SURFACES of my fel
low-citizens, will assume tho duties Of thai
| high oflioo with solemn determination tC
dedicate every effort to the country's good
and with an humble reliance upon the favor
and support Of the Supreme Being, who
believe, will always bless honest human en-
deayor in the conscientious discharge of pub
lie duty.
(Signed, GROVER CLEVELAND.
To Col. William F. Villas, chairman, and D.
p. Bestor and others, members of the mott
hcation committee of tho Democratic ma
tional convention.
| -s-
Tho annual meeting of the state temper
ance camp meeting association opened a
| Worthwhile Wednesday with large attendance