Connecticut western news., 1884-08-27
THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.
The Letter of Acceptance of Grover
 Cleveland.

ALBANY, N. r., Aug. IS, 1884.
 GENTLEMEN:-I have received your commit nication dated July 28, 1884, informing me of my nomination to the office of President of the United States by the National Democratic Convention lately assembled at Chicago.
 l accept the nomination with grateful ap- pTeciation of the supreme honor conferred ana solemn sense of the responsibility which, in it's acceptance, assume.
 have carefully considered the platform adopted by the convention land cordially ap- prove the same So plain statement Of Dem ocratic faith, and the principles upon which that party appeals to the suffrsges of the peo- pie, needs no supplement or explanation: :,
 It should be remembered that the office of President is essentially executive in it's 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 one Of it's members as 8 nominee for that office has out lined it's policy and declared it's principles It seems to me that nothing in the character Of the office or the necessities of the case requires more from the candidate accepting such noml- nation than the suggestion of certain well known truths, SO 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. It is not such when class IS tol- erated which arrogates to itself the manage ment of public affairs, seeking to control the people instead of representing them.
 Parties are the necessary outgrowth Of our institutions; but Government IS not by the people when one party fsstens it's control upon the country and perpetuates it's power, by cajoling and betraying the people instead Of serving them.
 A Government is not by the people when 8 result which should represent the intelligent will of free and thinking men is, or can be, determined by the shameless corruption Of their suffrages.
 When an election to office shall be the selec- tion by the voters of one of their number, to assume for time public trust instead of his dedication to the profession of politics; when the holders of the ballot quickened by sense of duty, shall avenge truth betrayed and pledges broken, and when the suffrage shall be altogether free and uncorrupted, the full re- alization of 8 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 to the Constitution dis qualifying the President from reelection. When we consider the patronage of this great office, the allurements of power, the tempta- ton to retain public place once gained, and, more than all, the availability party finds in an incumbent whom & horde of oficeholders, with zeal born of benefits received, and fos- tered by the hope of favors yet to come, stand ready to aid with money and trained political service, we recognize in the eligibility of the President for reelection, most serious danger to that calm, deliberate, and intelligent polit- ical action which must characterize & govern ment by the people.
 A true American sentiment recognizes the the dignity of labor, and the fact that honor lies in honest tcil. Contented labor is an ele- ment of national prosperity. Ability to work constitutes the capital, and the wage of labor tion; and this interest should be jealously pro- tected. Our worhngmen are not asking un- reasonable indulgence, but as intelligent and manly citizens they seek the same considers tion which those demand who have other in- terests 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 employers and the em- ployed shall alike be subserved and the pros perity of the country, the common heritage of both, be advanced. As related to this subject, while we should not discourage the immigra- tion of those who come to acknowledge al legiance to our Government and add to our citizen population, yet as 8 means of proteo- ton to our workingmen, a different rule should prevail concerning those who, if they come, or are brought to our land, do not intend to become Americans, but will injuriously compete with those justly entitled to our field of labor.
 In letter accepting the nomination to the office of Governor, nearly two years ago, made the following statement, to which have steadily adhered:
 'The laboripg classes constitute the main part of our population. They should be pro tected in their efforts peaceably to assert their rights when endangered by aggregated capital and all statutes on this subject should recognize the care of the State for honest toll and be framed with view of improving the condition of the workingman."
 A proper regard for the welfare of the work ingman being inseparably connected with the into of Our iDofit1fTono of oy1r aifi- zens are more interested than they in guarding against any corrupting influences which seek to pervert the beneficent purposes Of our Gov ernment. and none should be more watchful oi the artful machinations of those who allure them to self-inficted injury.
 In @ free country the curtailment of the absolute rights of the individual should only be such as is essential to the peace and good order of the community. The limit between the proper subjects of governmental contro and those which can be more fittingly Left tc the moral sense and self-imposed restraint oi | the citizen should be carefully kept in view | Thus, laws unnecessarily interfering with thC | habits and customs of any of our people whict are not offensive to the moral sentiments o1 | the civilized world and which are consistent with good citizenship and the public welfare are unwise and vexatious.
 The commerce of 8 nation to great exten | determines it's supremacy. Cheap and eas, transportation should therefore be liberally fos tered. Within the limits of the Constitution tn, | General Government should so improve anC protect it's natural waterways as will enable tn producers of the country to reach profitable | market.
 The people pay the wages of the public em ployees, and they are entitled to the fair anC honest work which the money thus paid shoult | command. It is the duty of those intrusteC with the management of their affairs to se | that such public service is forthcoming. Tn selection and retention of subordinates il | Government employment should depend upol their ascertained fitness and the value of thei | work, and they should be neither expected no l allowed to do questionable party service.
 The interests of the people will be bette protected; the estimate of public labor sn' duty will be immensely improved public em ployment will be open to all who can demon strate their fitness to enter it; the unseeml scramble for place under the Government with the consequent importantly which em bitters official life will cease; and the publi departments will not be filed with those wh conceive it to be their first duty to aid tn party to which they owe their places instead c rendering patient and honest return to tn people.
 believe that the public temper is such tha the voters of the land are prepared to suppoI the party which gives the best promise of aG ministering the Government in the honest simple, and plain manner which is consisteI with it's character and purposes. They hay learned that mystery and conoealment in tn management of their affairs cover tricks an betrayal. The statesmanship they require COT sists in honesty and frugality, prompt r, sponse to the needs of the people as they aris, and the vigilant protection of all their varie interests.
 If'I should be called to the Chief MagstraC of the Nation by the sufrages of my fellow citizens, I will assume the duties of that hig office with solemn determination to dedical every effort to the country's good, and with a humble reliance upon the favor and support the Supreme Being, who I believe will alway bless honest human endeavor in the consciel tious discharge of public duty.
 GROVER CLEVELAND.
 To Col William F. Villas, Chairman, and D. ]
 Bestor, and others, members of the Not
 fication Committee of the Democratic NJ
 tional Convention.