The Evening critic., 1884-08-20
oLEvsLAND,s ACCEPTANCE
OF the Democratic Nomination for
the Presidency The Letter Notable
for what It Omits 20 Say ON Some
Very Important Questions.

lands letter accepting tho Democratic NOM
ination to the Presidency. 1t is addressed
10 Colonel William L. Villas and the other
members of the Notification Committee:
GENTLENEN: I have received your communi.
cation, dated July %, 1884, Informing me OF
my nomination TO the ONCE OF President OF the
United States by the National Democratic Con-
vention lately assembled at Chicago.
accept the nomination with grateful ap-
probation of the supreme honor conferred
and solemn sense OF tho responsibility
which, in It's acceptance, assume.
/ have carefully considered the platform
adopted by the convention, and cordially sp-
prove tho Same. 30 plain statement OF Dem.
ocratic faith and the principles upon which
that party appeals TO the sufrrages OF the
people needs no supplement or explanation.
The President Hut AN Executive.
1t should be remembered that tho ONCE OF
President is essentially executive In It's ma.
ture, The laws enacted by tho legislative
branch OF the Government the Chief Executive
10 bound faithfully to enforce, and when tho
wisdom OF the political party which selects
one OF Its members MS n nominee for that of1ice
has outlined its policy aud declared It's .prin.
ciples, IL seems TO mo that nothing In the
character OF the ONCE or the necessities OF the
case requires more from tho candidate ac-
cepting such nomination than the suggestion
OF certain weil-known truths so absolutely
vital TO the safety and welfare OF the Nation
that they cannot be TOO often recalled or too
seriously enforced.
people. 1t is not such when class is toler-
ated which arrogates to Itself the manage.
ment ofpublic AFFAIRS, seeking to control tho
people Instead Of representing them.
Parties are tho necessary outgrowth OF our
institutions: but government Is not by the
people when one party fastens Its control
upon the country, and perpetuates It's power
by caiolng and betraying tho people instead
OF serving them.
A government is not by tho people when.a
result which should represent the intelligent
will OF free and thinking men Is, or can be,
determined by the shameless corruption OF
their SURFACES.
ton by the voters OF one OF their own number
70 assume for time public trust Instead OF
his dedication TO the profession OF politics,
when tho holders of the ballot, quickened by u
sense OF duty, shall avenge truth betrayed
and pledges broken, aud when the suffrage
shall be altogether free and interrupted, tho
full realization OF government by the people
Will be at hand.
And OF the means TO this end not one would,
In my judgment, be more effective than an
amendment 10 tho Constitution disqualltying
the President from reelection. Whom we con.
slider the patronage OF this great ONCE, the
allurements OF power, the temptatfap to retain
public place onco gained, and, more ethan ~,
the availability party finds IN an incumbent
whom horde OF oflicehoiders, with a zeal
born Of benefits received and fostered by the
hope OF favOrs yet 10 come, stand ready to aid
with money and trained political service, wo
recognize In the eligibility OF the President
for reelection most serious danger to that
calm, deliberate and Intelligent political &C.
| tion which must characterize government
by the people.
A true American sentiment recognizes tho
dignity of labor, and tho fact that honor lies
In honest toll. COntented labor Is an element
| OF National prosperity. Ability to work con
etitutes tho capital aud the wage OF labor the
income Of q vast number OF our population,
| and this interest should be Zealously pro-
| tected. Our workingmen are not asking UNI
reasonable indulgence, but as Intelligent aud
| tion which those demand who have other In
| forests at stake.
| They should receive their full share OF tho
| care and attention OF those who make and ex-
| ecute the laws, to the end that tho wants anu
| needs OF the employers and the employed
shall alike be subserved and the prosperity OF
| tho country, the common heritage OF both, be
| advanced.
| AS related to this subject, while We should
como 10 acknowledge allegiance to our gov
| eminent and add TO our citizen population
| yet as means OF protection to our working.
| men a different rule should prevail concern.
ing those who, II they come or are brought 10
| our land, do not intend TO become Americans,
but Will injuriously compete with those Justly
entitled 10 our field OF labor.
In a letter accepting tho nomination to the
| ofllcc OF Governor, nearly two years ago,
| made the Following statement, to which have
| steadily adhered:
| "The laboiing classes constitute the MAR
part Of our population. They should be pro.
| tected In their efforts peaceably TO assert theli
| rights when endangered by aggregated CAPT.
| tai, and all statutes on this subject should re-
| cognize the care of the state for honest toll
and be framed with view Of improving the
! condition OF tho workingman."
| proper regard for the welfare OF the work
| lngman being inseparably connected with the
| integrity OF our institutions, none OF our citl
Zens are moro Interested than they in guard
| Ing against any corrupting influences which
seek 10 pervert the benellcent purposes OF our
Government and none should,be more watch
| full OF the artful Vaccinations OF those who al
| lure them TO self-lnfllcted injury,
In free country tho curtailment OF tho
absolute rights OF the individual should only
"a = "a ha nd Nj
| order OF the community. Tho limit between
| tho proper subjects of governmental control
and those which can BIO most nttingly left e
| The moral sense and Imposed restraint OF thu
| citizen should be carefully kept In view. Thu:
| laws unnecessarily interfering with the habiti
and customs OF any our people which are no
| offensive TO the moral sentiments OF the civil
| lied world, and which are consistent witt
good citizenship and the public welfare, ar,
| unwise and veXatlOus.
| The commerce Of nation to great eXten
| determines los supremacy. Cheap and easy
transportation should therefore be liperallJ
fostered. Within the limits OF the Constitu
| ton the General Government should so i'm
prove and protect Its natural waterways as
VIII enable the producers Of the country &c
reach profitable market.
Tho people pay the wages OF the public en-
ployes, and they are entitled TO the fair and
honest work which the money thus paid should
command. 1t is the duty OF those intrustet
atsuch public service Ia forthcoming. Tn
selection and retention OF subordlnates In Gov
| tIuUeuI employment buOulu ubpbuu uDOl
their ascertained fitness and the value OF thei
work, and they should be neither expected no
allowed TO do questionable party service. Tn
interests OF the people will be better protected
the estimate OF public labor and duty Will bt
immensely improved; public employment will
be open TO all who can demonstrate their nt
ness TO enter It; the upseemly scramble 10
places under tho Government with the con
sequent Importantly which embitters ofllcia
life, will cease, and the public Department
VIII not be filled with those who conceive II L
be their first duty to aid the party to which
they owe their places, instead of rendering
patient and honest return to the people.
| believe that the public temper Is sucl
that the voters OF the land arc prepared L
support the party which gives the best promls
OF administering the Government In the hon
est, simple and plain manner which is con
sisient with its character and purposes. The
have learned that mystery and concealmen
and betrayal. The craftsmanship they requir
consists IN honesty and frugality, a promr
response 10 the needs OF the people as the!
arise, and the vigilant protection OF oil thei
varied interests.
If ehould be called to the Chief Magistrac,
OF the Nation by the euffrages of my fellow
citizens, Will assume tho duties OF that hig
ofilce with solemn determination TO dedicat
every effort to the country's good and With al
humble reliance upon the favor ard supper
OF the supreme Being, who 1 believe win a
ways bless honest human endeavor In the con
sclentious discharge OF public duty.
GROVER CLEVELAND.