The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-08-20
CLEYELAND'S LETTER.
A Very Plain and Formal Acceptance
Of His Nomination.
THE LABOR QUESTION REVIEWED
Honesty, Fitness and no Mystery De-
inanded in Public Service and
Pledge to Duly Observe
Them II Elected.


lands letter, formally accepting the
Democratic nomination for President of
the United States, is as follows:
GENTLEMEN: / have received your
communication dated July %, 1884, in
forming 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 appre-
ciation Of the supreme honor conferred
and solemn sense of the responsi-
bility which, in its acceptance,
| assume. l have carefully
considered the platform adopted by the
convention and cordially approve the
same. So plain statement of Demo-
cratic principles on which that party ap-
peals to the suffrages of the people needs
no supplement or explanation. 1t should
he remembered that the Office of Presi-
dent is essentially executive in its
nature. The laws enacted by the legis
lative branch of the Government, the
Chief Executive is bound faithfully to
enforce, and when the wisdom of the
political party which selects one of its
members as nominee for that office has
outlived its policy and declared its
principles, 1t seems to me that nothing
IN the character of the case
requires more from the can
dldate accepting such nomination than
the suggestion of certain well known
truths so absolutely vital to the safety
and welfare of the Nation that they can
not be too often recalled or too seriously
enforced. We proudly call ours gov
ernment by the people. 1t is not such
when GLASS is tolerated which arrogates
TO itself the management of public
affairs, seeking to control the people in
stead of representing them. Parties are
the necessary outgrowth Of our institu-
tons, but government is not by the
people when one party fastens its con-
troll ON the country and perpetuates its
power by cajoling and betraying the
people instead of serving
them. A government is not
by tho people, when result which
should represent the intelligent will of
free and thinking men is, or can be, de-
termined by the shameless abuse of
their sutfrages. When an election to
an Office shall be the selection by the
voters of one OF their number TO resume
for time public trust, instead of his
dedication TO the profession of politics;
when tho holders of tho ballot, quick
ehed by sense of duty, shall ayenge
truth betrayed and pledges broken, and
when the suffrage shall be free and un-
corrupted, the full realization of a Gov
ernment by the people will be at hand.
And as for the means to this end, not
one would, in my judgment, be
more effective than an amendment to
the constitution disqualifying the Presi-
dent from reelection, When we con-
slider the patronage of this great Office,
the allurements ofpower, the temptation
to retain public place once gained, and
more than all, the availability a party
tinds in an incumbent whom horde OF
office holders with a zeal born of beuOfl.
received, and fostered by the
hope of favprs yet 70 come,
stand too ready 10 aid with
money and trained political service, we
recognize in the eligibility Of the Presi-
dent from re-electing most serious dan
ger to that calm, deliberate and intelli-
gent political action which must char
acterize Government by the
people. A true American SEN
timent recognizes the dignity Of
labor, and the fact that honor lies i'm
honest toll, contented labor IL sign of
national prosperity, ability TO work con
stitutes the capital and the wages of la
Dor, the income of vast number of our
population, and this interest should be
jealously protected. our working men
are not asking unreasonable indulgence,
but as intelligent and manly citizens
they seek the same consideration which
those demand who have other interests
at stake. They should receive their full
share of the care and attention of those
who make and execnte the laws, to the
end that the wants and needs of the EN-
ployers and the employed shall
alike be subserved and the
prosperity OF the country, the
common heritage of both be advanced
As relates TO this subject, while we
should not discourage the migration of
those who come to acknowledge allegi-
anco to our Government and TO our cit
izen population, yet as means of pro-
lection 10 our workingmen different
rule should prevail concerning those
who, II they come or arc
brought TO our land do not intend
10 become Americans, but will injuri-
ously compete with those Justly entitled
10 our field OF labor. In a letter accept.
ing the nomination of the Office of Gov
ornor nearly two years ago, / made the
following statement, 10 which | have
| steadily adhered: "The laboring classes
constitute the maih part of our
population. They should be protected In
their efforts peaceably to assert their
right when endangered by aggregated
capital, and all statutes on this subject
for honest toll and be framed with
Wow of improving the con
dition of the workingmen, proper
regard for the welfare OF the
workingmon being inseparably con
nocted with the integrity OF our
constitution meme OF our citizens
are more Interested than they In
guarding against tho corrupting
Influences which seek 10 pervert the
beneticient purposes OF our urGovernment,.
and none should he more watchfui
of the artful Vaccinations Of those
who allure them TO self inflicted
| Injury. In n free country the curtail-
ment of the absolute right of the indl.
vidual should only be such as Is essential
OF the community. The limit
between the proper subjects
OF governmental control, and those that
can be more fittingly left TO the moral
sense and self-imposed restraint of the
citizen should bo carefully kept
In view. Thus, laws tinneces-
sarlly interfering with the habits
and customs of any of our people, which
are not offensive TO the moral sentiment
of the civilized world, and which are
consistent with good citizenship and
the public welfare are unwise. The
commerce of nation, TO n
great extent, determines its supremacy.
Cheap aud easy transportation should,
therefore, be literally fosterod within
the limits of the const-
tuition. Tho general Government
should NO improve aud protect
its natural waterways rs will enable
the producers OF the country 10 reach
! profitable market. The people pay the
wages of tho public employees, and they
are entitled TO the fair and honest work
which the money thus paid
should command. II is the
duty OF those entrusted with the man
agement OF their affairs 10 sec that such
public service is forthcoming. The Sc
lection and retention OF subordinates In
the government employment should
depend on their ascertainpd
iitness and the value OF