The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-08-30
GOVERNOR CLEVELAND.
His Letter Accepting the Democratic
Nomination for Pre- sident.

GENTLEMEN: l have received your com
muuIcation dated July %, 1884, informing
me OF nv nomination 10 the office Of presi-
) dent of the United States by the nationa
democratic convention late.y assembled al
Cnic go. | accept the nomination with a
grateful appreciation OF the supreme honor
con Inferred, and soemn sense OF the re-
sponsibility which, in its acceptance, as
sumo. l have carefully considered the
| platform adopted by the convention, and
Cordially approve the me. So plain a
statement OF democratic faith and the prin-
| ciples upon which that party appeals to the
SURFACES of the people needs no supplemt mt
or explanation. 1t should be remembered
thot the Office OF president is essentially ex-
Ccutive in its nature. The laws enacted by
the legislative branch of tbs government
ne chief executive is bound faithfully to
force, AMI when the wisdom of the po-
iiical party which selects one Of its mem
bers as lhe nominee for that office has out
lined its policy and declared Its principles,
IL seems to me that nothing in the chsracter
OF the off &c or tle lie ;essitiss OF The case
requires more from the candidate
accepting such nomination than the
sugs estion OF certain well-known
truths so absolutely vital TO the
safety and welfare OF the nation that they
cannot be tov often recalled or too serious
ly enforced. We proudly call ours gov
erment by the people. 1t is notsuch when
a class is tolerated which arrogates to itself
the mans sment OF public affairs. seeking
to contro. the people instead of representing
them. Parties are the necessary outgrowth
of our institutions; but government is not
by the people when one party fastens its
control upon the country, and perpetuates
its power by csjOling and betraying the peo-
Pile instead OF serving them. A government
not by the people when result which
should represent the Intelligent Will Of free
and thinking men is or can be determined
nv the shamelessness of their suffrages.
When an election TO office shall BE- the Sc
lection by The voters of one Of their number
to assume Tor time pub IL trust instead
OF his dedication to the profession of poll
TICS; when the holders Of the ballots, quick
eneu by sense of duty, shall avenge truth
betrayed and pledges broken, and when
the suffrage shall be altogether free and I'M
corrupted, the full realiZ alton of q govern-
ment by the peope will be at hand, and OF the
means TO this end not one would, in my
ju lgment, be more effective than an
amendment to the constitution disqualify-
Ing the president from election. When we
consider the patronage Of this great office,
the allurements OF power, the temptation to
retain public lace once gained, and,E more
than all, the availability parry finds in an
iucumbant whom horde OF office holders,
with zeal born of benefits received, and
fosttred by the hope of favors yet to come,
stand ready tn aid with money and trained
0 ideal service, we recognize in
the eligibility Of the president from
r. detection a most serious danger to
that calm, deliberate AMI intelligent po-
hticil action which must characterize gov
ernlnent by the people. A true American
: ointment recognizes the dignity OF labor and
de fact that honor lies in honest toll. 1t Is
commended that labor is an element of ma
tionsl prosperity. The ability to work con-
sti .utes the capital of the wages Of labor
tue income OF j vast numter OF our popula-
49,. sx,tAr trl,N - L.
projected. Our workingmen are not asking
unre asonab.e indulgence; but as intelligent
and manly citizens they seek the same con-
Liberation which those demand who have |
other interests at stake. They should re- |
ceive tbtir full share Of the care and atten-
ion of those who make and execute the |
laws, to the end that the wants and needs of
he employers and the employed shall alike |
De subseryed, and the property OF the coun- |
ry, the common heritage OF both, be adj |
iaaced. As related to this subject, while
We should no. discourage the emigration Of
hose who come to acknowledge allegiance
% our government and add to our citizen
population, yet IS means of protection to
,ur Workinemsn, different rule should
prevail nce rning them who, il they come
are brought to our land, do not intend to
become Americans, but will injuriously
Jmpete with those justly entitled to our
/, LII OF labor. In letter accepting the
nomination to the Off &c OF governor nearly
40 Years ago, l made the following state
emf, 10 which l have strictly athered
'rhe laboring classes constitute the main
,srt Of our population. They should be
protected in their efforts peaceaoly to assert
heir ri hts when endangered by aggregated
spital; and all statutes on this subject
huuld recognize the care of the state for
onest toll and be framed with view of
the condition OF the working
man, A proper regard for the welfare Of
III.
c tied wi The integrity Of our institu-
ons, none OF our citizens are more inter-
sted than they in guarding against any
Orrupting influences which seek to peryert
he beneficent purposes OF our government,
nd none should be more watchful OF the
ittul Vaccinations or those who allure
uem to self-infiicted injury. In free
on try the curtailment Of the absolute
ghts Of the individual should only be such
is essential to the peace and good order ,
( the community. The limit between the
roper subjects Of governmental control
nd those which can be more httingly left
, the moral sense and sef-imposed re- ,
RANT OF the citizen, should be carefully
ept in view. Thus laws unnecessarily in .
with the habits and customs of
ny OF our people, which are not offensive
, the moral sentiments of the civilized {
tizenship and the public welfare, are I'M r
Use and vexations. The commerce Of q :
alton to great extent determines Its :
ipremacy. Cheap and easy transportation
Mould therefore be literally fostered, with. ]
a the limits OF the constitution. The gen. I
raj government should SO improve and {
rotect its nation Al waterways as will enable y
le producers Of the country to reach !,
roitable market. The people pay the
ages of the public employees and they are 5
ititled to the fair and honest work which h
10 money thus paid should command. II c
the duty of those entrusted with the a
anagement OF these affairs to see that :
lch public service Is forthcoming. The
lection and retention Of subordinates
government employment should C
spend upon their ascertained lit Il
,ss and the value of their work, and thy :
ould be neither expected nor allowed to
questionable party service. The inter- 81
Is OF the people will be better protected; Il
Q estimate of public labor and duty will be II
Intensely improved and public employ o,
emit will be open to all who demonstrate -
cir fitness to enter 1t. The unseemy IL
ramble for places under the government W
til the consequent importantly which EN- &c
tiers ofitcial life will cease, and the public NJ
partments will not be filed with those -
40 conceive 1t to be their first duty to aid I.
e party to which they owe their places, 81
stead Of rendering patient and honest re- b
IN to the Ieople. | believe that the pub w
temper Is such that the voters of the -,
d are prepared to support the party w