The National tribune., 1884-08-28
GOV. CLEVELAND.
His Letter Accepting the Democratic
3. Nomination for President.
ALnANY. n. ~. Aug. IS. 1ssl.

fsa-&kia
ALBANY, N. Y, Aug. Is, 1884.
GENTLEMEN: have received your eomlnunica-
ton dated July 2S 1894, informing me of my nom
lnationto the Office OF President OF the United States
by the National Democratic Convention lately as
senibled at Chicago.
aeeept the nomination with grateful appre
citation of the supreme honor conferred and solemn
serse of the responsibility which, in its acceptance
assume.
( / have carefully considered the platform adopted
by the convention and cordially approve the same.
So plain statement of Democratic faith, and the
principles upon which the party appeals to the
sutffases OF the people, needs no supplement- or
II should be remembered that the office of Presi-
dent Is essentially executive In Its nature. The
laws enacted by the legislative branch of the
Government the Chief Executive is bound faithfully
to enforce. And when the wisdom OF the political
party which selects of its members nomi-
for that Office has outlined its policy and de-
clared its principles it seems to me that nothing in
the character of the Office the necessities of the
case requires more from the candidate accepting
such nomination than the suggestion OF certain
wellt>nown truths absolutely vital TO the safety
and welfare of the Nation that they cannot be too
often recalled or too seriously enforced.
We proudly call ours government by the
people. 1t is not such when class is tolerated
which arrogates to itself the management of public
affairs seeking to control the people instead OF rep
reSentlng them.
Parties are the necessary outgrowth of in
St1tutions but a government Is not by the people
when one party fasten its control upon the country
aud perpetuates its power by cajoling and betray-
ing the people instead of serving them.
government is not by the people when a re-
suit which should represent the intelligent will of
free and thinking men Is, or can be, determined by
the shameless corruption of their sJTffragcS.
When an election to Office shall be the selection
by the voters of one of their number to assume for
a time publictrust instead of his dedication 10 the
profession of politics. when the holders OF the bal
lot, quickened by sense of duty, shall ayenge
truth betrayed and pledges broken and when the
suffrage shall be altogether free and uncorrupted,
the full realization of government by the people
viii be al hand. And of the means to this end not
one would, in my Judgment, be more ehectiyethan
amendment to the Constitution disquaiifyinS
the President from reelection. When we consider
the patronage of this great Office, the allurements
OF power the temptation to retain public place once
gained and, more than all the availability party
finds in an incumbent whom horde of office
holders with zeal born OF benefits received ana
fostered by the hope of favors yet TO come. stand
ready to aid with money and trained political serv-
ice recognize in the eligibility of the President
for reelection most serious danger TO that calm,
deliberate and intelligent action which must char
acteriZe government by the people.
A true American sentiment recognizes the dignity
of labor and the fact that honor lies IN honest toll
Contentediabor is an element OF national prosperity
Ability to work constitutes the capital and the
wage of labor the income, of vast number OF our
population and should be jealousy pro-
tected. Our workiugmen not asking unreason-
able indulgence but intelligent and manly eitI-
zens they seek the same consideration which those
demand who have other interests at stake. They
should receive their full share of the and at
tertion of those who make and execute the laws.
to the end That the wants ana needs OF the en-
ployers and the employed shall alike be subseryed
and the prosperity of the country, the common
heritage of both be advanced. AS related to this
subject while we should not discourage the in1ni-
grafton of those who come to acknowledge allegi-
ance to Government and add to our citizen
population. yet rs means OF protection to our
workingmen, o different rule should prevail con-
cerning those who if they come. are brought to
our land, do not intend to become Americans, but
will injriously compete with those justly entitled
to field of labor.
In a letter accepting the nomination to the Office
of Governor, nearly Two years ago, made the
following statement to which L have steadily
adhered:
THE labcrng classes constitute the main part
of our population They should be protected IN
their efforts peaceaby to assert their rights when
endangered by aggregated capitai and all statutes
on this subject should recognize the care of the
State for honest toll and be framed with view o
improving the condition of the workingman."
A proper regard for the welfare OF the working
man being inseparably connected with the inte2-
rity of our institutions, none Of citizens are
more interested than they IN guarding against any
eorrupiing influences which seek to pervert the
| beneficent purposes OF our Government, and none
should be more gatchful of the artful machnaton;
| of those who allure them to self-nfcted injury.
In free country the eurtailment of the absolute
rights of the individual should only be such j:
essential TO the peace and good order of the com
| munity. The limit between the proper subjects o
governmental control and those which can be more
| fttingly left to the moral and sef-imposed
restraint of the citizen should be carefully kept il
! view. Thus, laws unnecessarily interfering with
! the habits and customs of any of people which
not offensive to the moral sentiments OF the
| civilized world, and which are consistent with
good citizenship and the public welfare are unwlse
| and vexatious
! The commerce of a nation to great extent de-
/ termines it supremacy. Cheap and easy trans
portation should therefore be literally fostered
/ Within the limits of the Constitution the Genera
| Government should so improve and protect its
natural waterways as will enable the producers o.
| the country to reach profitable market.
The people pay the wages of the public employees
and they entitled to the fair and honest work
/ which the money thus paid should command. Il
| is the duty of those lntrusted with the manage
ment of their affairs to see that such public service
/ is forthcoming. The selection and retention O
! subordnates in Government employment shoult
| depend upon their ascertained fitness and ths
value of their work, and they should be neither
| expected nor allowed to do questionable party
service The interests OF the people viii be better
protected; the estimate of public labor and duty
| will be immensely improved; public employment
will be open to all who demonstrate their fit
ness TO enter it: the unSeemly scramble for piaes
| under the Government. with the consequent i'm
portunity which embters official life will cease
and the public Departments viii not be filled witt
those who conceive IT to be their first duty 10 ale
the party to which they their places instead o
rendering patient and honest return to the people
believe that the public temper is such that the
voters of the land prepared to support the party
which gives the best promise of administering the
! Governmentin the honest simple and plain man
ner which is consistent with its character and pur
/ poses. They have learned that mystery and con
! cealment in the management of their affairs cove
/ tricks and betrayal The craftsmanship they re
/ qulre consists III honesty and iruSallty, pfonp
response 10 the needs OF the people as they arise
and the vigilant protection of all their varied in
| terests.
! I'll should be called to the Chief Magistracy O
the Nation by the suffrages of my fellow citizens
! will assume the duties of that high office with
solemn determination TO dedicate every effor
/ to the countrys good, and with an humble reli
anee upon the favor and support of the Supreme
| Being, who, believe will always bless human en-
! deavor III the conscientious discharge OF pubic
/ duty. GROVER CLEVELAND.
! To Col. VIM f. Villas Chairman, and ID. p. Bestor
and others, members of the Notification Commit
tee of the Democratic National Convention.