The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-08-27
Cleveland's Letter OF Acceptance.
ALBANY. N. Y. August ID. 1884


United States by the national democratic con-
vention lately assembled at Chicago / accept
the nomination with grateful appreciation Of
the supreme honor conferred, and solemn
sense OF the responsibility which, In its accept
ance. | assume.
| have carefully considered the platform
adopted by the convention, and cordially APP
prove the same. So plain statement Of dem
ocratic faith and the principles upon which
that party appeals to the suffrages of the PEG.
| ple needs no supplement or explanation 1t
should be remembered that the Office Of presi-
dent Ia essentially executive In its 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 its
members as a nominee for that office has out
lined Its policy and declared its principles, 1t
| seems to me that nothing In the character OF
the office or of the necessities of the case re-
| qutres more from the candidate 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 seriously enforced
We proudly call ours government OF the
| people. 1t Is not such when a class is tolerated
which delegates to itself the management Of
public affairs, seeking to control the people in
stead 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
! psrpetuates It's power by cajoling and betraying
the people, instead Of serving them. A gov
eminent is not by the people when result
| which should represent the intelligent will of
| free and thinking men is, or can be, deter
mined by the shameless corruption OF their
suffrages When an election to office shall be
| the selection by the voters of one of their num-
Der to assume for time public trust instead
| OF his dedication to the profession of politics;
when the holders Of the ballot quickened by a
sense OF duty, shall avenge truth betrayed
and pledges broken, and when the suffrage
| shall be altogether free and uninterrupted, the
full realization OF 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 constitu.
ton disqualifying the president from re-elec-
| ton. When we consider the patronage of
this great office; the allurements OF power; the
temptation to retain public place once gained,
and more than all, the availability a party
finds in an incumbent when horde of office
holders, with a zeal born of benefits received
and fostered 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 a
most serious danger to that calm, deliberate
and intelligent political action which must
characterize government by the people.
A true American sentiment recognizes the
dignity of labor, and the fact that honor lies in
honest toll. Contented labor is an element of
national prosperity. Ability to work consti-
tutes the capital, and the wage of labor the in
come Of vast number Of our population, and
this interest should be jealousy protected Our
workingmen are not asking unreasonable in
diligence; but, as intelligent and manly cit
liens, 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 aud execute
the laws to the end that the wants and needs
OF the employers and employed shall alike be
subserved, and the prosperity of the country,
the common heritage OF both, be advanced, as
related to this subject. While we should not
discourage the immigration of those who
wish to acknowledge allegiance to our govern
! ment and add to our citizen population vet
as means of protection to our working
men different rule should prevail concern
| ing those who, IL they come, or are brought,
to our land, do not intend to become Ameri.
cans, but will injuriously compete with those
justly entitled to our field Of labor. In letter
accepting the nomination to the office OF gov
ernor, nearly two years ago, made the follow
ing statement to which | have steadily ad.
hered: "The laboring classes constitute the
main part OF our population. They should be
protected 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." proper
regard for the welfare of the workingman be-
| ing inseparably connected with the integrity
OF our constitution, none of our citizens
are more interested than they in guard
ing against auy corrupting influences which
seek to pervert the benefcent purposes
of our government, and none should be
more watchfu OF the artful Vaccinations of
those who allure them to self-inflicted injury.
In free country, the curtailment 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 more fttngly left to moral
sense and self-imposed restraint of the citizens
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 sentiments of the civil
lied world and which are consistent with good
citizenship and the public welfare, are unwise
and vexatious.
The commerce of nation to great extent
determines its supremacy. Cheap and easy
transportation should therefore be literally
fostered, within the limits of the constitution
The general government should 80 improve
and protect its natural waterways as will en-
able 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 and honest work which the money
thus paid should command 1t Is the duty OF
those entrusted with the management Of their
affairs to see that such public service is forth
coming. The selection and retention of sub
ordnates in government employment should
value of their work. and they should neither
be expected nor allowed to do questionable
party service. The interests of the people will
be better protected, the estimate of public
labor and duty will be immensely improved,
public employment will be open to all who can
demonstrate their fitness to enter 1t, the I'M
seemly scramble for place under the govern
ment, with the consequent importantly which
embitters official life, will cease and the public
departments will no. be filled with those who
conceive it their first duty TO aid the party to
which they owe their places, instead Of render
ing patient and honest return TO the people
believe that the public temper is such that
the voters Of the land are prepared to support
the party which gives the best promise Of ad-
ministering the government in the honest,
simple and plain manner which is consistent
with its character and purposes. They have
learned that mystery and concealment In the
management of their affairs cover tricks and
betrayal The statesmanship they require
consists in honesty and frugality, prompt
response to the needs OF the people as they
arise, and the vigilant protection Of all their
varied interests.
II should be called to the chief magistracy
of the nation by the SURFACES of my fellow
citizens, will assume the duties of that high
office with solemn determination 10 dedicate
every effort to the country's good, and with an
humble reliance upon the favor and support OF
the Supreme Being, who believe, will always
bless honest human endeavor in the conscien-
tious discharge of public duty.
| (Signed) GROVER CLEVELAND
| To Colonel William 7. Villas chairman and