Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-08-30
Nashville American Dem

| the country are as much exercised on
the subject of Gov. Clevelanfs letter
accepting the Presidential nomination
as those OF this immediate vicinity,
the Governors formal acceptance must
have been a subject of no small solic-
itude to our Republican friends. We
had supposed, as a matter of course,
that the Governor would accept and
signify his acceptance through the
usual form Ola letter, but we had not
supposed such an epistle, by way of
acknowledgement of a distinction,
should necessarily bear all the signifi-
canoe OF party platform, simply be-
cause Mr.. Blaire had deemed it inn
portant TO obscure the platform of his
party with voluminous pronuncia-
mento of "my policy"
We have been amused at the
strained criticisms OF our local Repub-
lican office-holders of Mr.. Cleveland's
letter, which was given to the public
through the press yesterday. They
all have their partisan microscopes
bearing upon it, eagerly searching for
points to hang Republican hope on.
One complains that it is too short
evidently drawing the mental COM
parison between its brevity and the
voluble volume of Blaine's perform
ance, as if it were contest for the
premium as the boss letter-writer of
the fperiod. Another SAYS ssWhy,
he says nothing about the tariff %
But he does say good deal about it.
He unequivocally and cordially en-
dorses, in letter and spirit, the plat
form upon which he was nominated
tariff plank and all, and well says
that $50 plain a statement of Demo
cratic faith and the principles upon
which that party appeals to the suf-
frages of the people needs no supple
ment or explanation. Evidently
Mr.. Blaine did nots so regard the Re-
publican platform.
Memphis Appeal (Dem.)
II is short and to the point. 1t is
also manly, frank and outspoken, and
is worthy of the brave man who tele-
graphed his friends to "tell the truth
as to the Halpin scandal. He cordi-
ally approves Of the platform, under
stands and appreciates the RESPONSE
bilities and duties of the Chief Execu-
tive, and if elected to that position
will dedicate "every effort to the pub
lie good" This is all that could be
asked of him, but he goes further and
dwells at some length upon the claims
of the Workingmen, which he insists
must be satisfied, with, of course,
Just regard of the rights of employers.
He also indorses very strongly the
civil service act, and the passage of
appropriations to improve the great
waterways of the continent. There is
no attempt at style or literary display
in this letter; no spread-eagle nom
sense, no innuendo or ambiguity. 1t
is couched in plain, honest English,
and will be accepted by the people as
another proof of the worth and intel
igence of a man who is evidently
above all things honest and direct.
This letter is a remarkable contrast
with that of Blaineis, just as the
writer is remarkable contrast with
the Maine statesman in official integ-
rity and manly independence.
Memphis Avalanche, Ind.
Cleveland accepts the Democratic
nomination and the country breathes
freer. The Blaine business was too
promiscuous and Butler darkened the
political horizon with words. While
Blaine covered all the States and Ter
ritories he neglected the navigable
streams, especially emitting the Mis-
sissippi river, which is now a great
national highway and grave political
issue. Cleveland has steered clear of
the rocks upon which the Blaine and
Butler crafts nave foundered and with
the fewest possible words clears all
stumbling blocks from the Presiden-
tial track with one exception. That
exception is the tariff. 1t is true, it is
not his fault that the platform is a
tariff straddle. 1t is not his fanlt that
the free traders say that it means free
trade and the protectionists say that
it means protection. One merit in
Mr.. Cleveland's letter deserves special
commentator. 1t is brief. Being
brief and covering a wide range of
subjects it is necessarily to the point.
With the one exception before men
toned, the sentiments expressed in
this letter are so broad that they can
be heartily Endorsed by every citizen
of the republic.
Courier Journal, (Dem9
One is forced to contrast this letter
with that of Mr.. Blaine, and at every
point the advantage is with Mr. Cleve-
land. He speaks without affectation;
without restraint. He is not striving
to make fictitious issues, nor to formu-
late meaningless phrases to conceal a
want of real earnestness and deep
conviction. He does not stoop to the
mutilation of public documents, nor
does he rest his cause on manufactured
Statistics.
Every line will bear examination,
and will win with appreciation. 1t is
the letter of one familiar with the
needs of the times and well fitted for
leadership. Strong in his own con-
victions, confident of the loyalty of
his party, and relying on the patriot
ism of the people, he at once lifts the
campaign into a higher, clearer and
purer atmosphere. Hereafter the
campaign speakers and party journals
must deal with living issues, with vital
questions; they must discuss the
principles the party platforms are sup
posed to express, and must give good
reason for the faith that is in them.
No honest and industrious laboring
man can fail to be satisfied with what
the Democratic nominee has to say of
labor, of the difficulties which beset it,
of the relief to which it is entitled.