Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-08-20
Governor Clevei md Letter of Acceptance.

cratic convention late y assembled Mt Chlca-
20. ! accept che nomination with CRATE
full appreciation of the supreme honor con-
ferred, aud solemn sense Of the response
bilty which, in its acceptance, | assume. l
have carefully considered tho platform
adopted by the convention, and cordially
approve the SAME. So plain statement of
democratic faith and the principles upon
which that party appeals to the suflrages of
the people needs no supplement or explain
alton. 1t should be remembered that the
office of President is essentially executive
in its nature The laws enacted by the leg
slative 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 rs a nOml.
nee for that Office, has outlined its policy
and declared its principles, it seems 10 me
that nothing in the character Of the Office
or the necessities of the case requires more
from the candidate accepting such nomina
ton than the suggestion Of certain we'll
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 govern
ment by the people. 1t is not such when Il
class is tolerated which arrogates to itself
the management of public affairs, seeking
to control the people, instead of represent
ing them.
Parties are the necessary outgrowth OF
our institutions, but government is not by
the people when one party faslens lis con-
troll 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
re suit which should repres sent the
intelligent will of free and thinking men is,
or can be, determined by the shameless cor
ruption OF their sutfiages. When an cleo
ton TO Office shall be the selection by the
voters Of one Of their number TO assume for
time public trust instead of his dedica-
ton TO the profession ofpoltics, when the
holders of the ballot, quickened by sense
of duty, shall avenge truth betrayed and
pledges lr ken, and when the suffrage shall
be ali ogether free and interrupted, the full
realization of a government by tine people
will be ut hand, and Of the means TO this end
not ono would, in my judgment, he more ef-
ec;ive than an amedment TO the ConSlilu-
on disqualiying the President from re-
eiet tioA.
great Office, the alluremeuts Of power, the
temptation to retain public place once
gaine.l, and, more than all, the availability
il parly finds in an incumbent whom Il
horde of office seekers, with Il zeal born Of
benefits received and lostercd by tie hore
of layors vet to come, stand ready 10 aid
with money and trained political service,
we recognize in the eligibility of the Pr"si
I INF far nlp n len
10 THAI: calm, deliberate and intelligent pc.
litical action which must characterize n
government by the people.
\ true American sentiment recognizes the
dignity Of labor and the fact that honor lies
In hon est toll. CcntrGtcd labor is m ele-
ment OF national prosperity. Ability TO
work consliI ut = the capital aud he wage
Of labor the iuC ONE of II vast number of our
population and this interest should be
Zealously protected. Our workingmen are
not asking unreasonable indulgence; but as
intelligent and manly citizens. they seek
the same considerations which those demand
who have other Interests at stake. They
should receive their full share of the care
aud attention of those who make and exc
cute the laws, to the end that the wants and
leeds of the employers and the cmplnyed
shall alike he slhsrrved and the prosperity
of the coumtry-.ie camlAon heritage OF
bolh-he advanced. As related to this sub
ject, while we should not discourage the
Immigration Of those who come to nc
knowledge allegiance to our government
and add to our citizen population. yet, as a
means of protection to our workingmen, u
different rule should prevail concerning
those who if they come or are brought TO
our land do not intend 10 become Ameri-
cans, but will injuriously compete with those
Justly entitled TO our field of labor.
In a letter accepting the nomination 10
the Office of governor, nearly two years ago,
l made the following statement, to which
have strictly adhered: 1.-THE laboring classes
constitute the main part of our population.
They should be protected in their efforts
peaceably to assert their rights when en-
dangered by aggregated capital, and all
statutes on this subject should recognize the
care IF the state Tor honest toll, and i've
framed with view of improving the cond-
ton Of the workingman." y proper regard
for the welfare of the workingman being
iuseparably connected with the integrity of
our Institutions, none of our citizens are
more interested than they in guarding
against any corrupting influences which
sack to pervert the beneGcent purposes of
watchful of the artful Vaccinations Of those
who allure them to selfintiicted injury. In
free country, the curtalment Of the abso-
lutte 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 control
and those which can be most fittingly left
to the moral sense and imposed restraint of
the citizen should be carefully kept in view.
Thus laws unnecessarily interfering with the
habits and customs of any of our people
which are not offensive to the moral senti
ments of the civilized world, and which are
consistent with good citizenship and the
public welfare, are unwise and vexatious
The commerce of a nation, to great ex-
tent, determines its supremacy. Cheap and
easy transportion should therefore be liber-
ally fostered. Within the limits of the con-
stituton, the general governm ent should so
improve and protect its natural waterways
as will enable the producers of the country
to reach profitable market.
The people pay the wages of the public
employees, and they are entitled to the fair