Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-20
CLEyELAND'S ACCEPTANCE.
a SHORT BUT MANLY DOCUMENT.
lie Cordially Approves the National Pia''
form-yiaorousiy Opposes second Term
Honesty and Reform In the sseyernmcnt, NC.

INTERNATIONALLY Opposes sccoha ae'"-
Honesty and Reform In the Government. nc.
ny telegraph to the Dispatch.l
ALBANY, n. Y. August 10.-The foi:
lowing was received to-day by Colonei
Lamont, secretary 10 Governor Cleveland,
who il AZ Upper Saranac Lake, WIN H.
structions to make II public on ITS re-
ceipt:
ABanu ~ y, August IS. 1884,
Gentlemen,-f have received your COM
munication, dated July %, iSSt Informing
me OF my nomination TO The Office OF Presi-
dent OF The United States by the National
Democratic Convention lately assembled al
Chicago. accept the nomination With a
grateful appreciation Of the supreme honor
conferred, and solemn seise OF the re-
sponslbility which, In its acceptance, as
sumo.
have carefully considered the platform
adopted nv the Convention, aud cordially
approve The same So plain statement OF
Democratic faith and principles upon which
that party appeals to The su6rages OF the
people needs no supplement or explanation.
1t should he remembered that the Office Of
President j. essentially executive In It's
nature. The laws enacted by the legis-
latiyc branch OF the Government
tie Chief Executive is bound faith
fully TO enforce, and when the
wisdom OF a political party which selects
one Of its members as the nominee for that
Office hss outlined its policy and declared
its principles. 1t seems TO me that nothing
In the character Of the Office or necessities
OF the case requires moie from the candi-
date accepting such nomination than the
suggestion Of certain well-knOwn truths so
absolutely vital TO the safety and welfare OF
the nation that they cannot he too often
recalled or too seriously enforced. We
proudly call ours a government by the
people. II is not such when class Il toll.
Grated which arrogstcS to itself the man.
agement of public affairs, seeking 10 con-
troll the people instead Of representing
them.
Parties are the necessity ontgrowth OF
our institutions; but the government Is
not by the people when one party faStenS
its control upon the country and pcrpetu-
ates It's power by caiolIng and bciraying
the people instead Of serving them; the
government is not by the people when the
result which should represent the inteli.
cent viii f free and thinking men il,
or can be, determined by shameless
corruption Of their suiIrages. When
an election to Office shall be a selection by
the voters OF one OF their number to assume
for time public trust, instead OF his ded-
ication to the profession OF politics; when
holders OF ballots, quiskcned bv a
sense of duty, shall ayenge truth
betrayed and pledges broken; aud
when suffrage shall be altogether free
and uncorruptcd. the full realization
Of a government by the people will be ut
hand and OF The means 10 this end not
one, in my judgment, will be more cAcc-
tive than an amendment 10 the Constitution
d qualifying the Prcsilentfrom reelection.
When We consider the patronage OF this
great Office, The allurcmeuts u power.
the temptation TO retain public plices
once gained, and, more than all,
the availability the party finds H. IN incu e
bent whom Il horde Of oiice-holders with
zeal born OF benefits received and fostered
ty hope of favcrs vet TO come stand ready
20 aid with money and trained political
service. we recognize in the eligibility
OF President for reelection most
serious danger 10 that calm, dclibc-
rate, and intelligent political action whicS
must characterize a government by the
people. a true American sentiment recDg-
Mics the dignity OF labor and the fact that
honor lies in honest toll. Contented labor
is an element Of national prosperity. Ability
TO work constitute, the capllland the wages
of labor. the income OF 4 vast number 81
our populations and this interest should
be jealousy protected. Our wOrlingmen
are rot 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 VIII, make and
execute the laws, to the end that the
wants and needs Of employers and en-
ployed shall alike be subseryed, and the
prosperity Of the county, the common
heritage of both. be advanced. As related
10 this subject, while we should not di.-
courage the immigration OF those who come
to acknowledge allegiance 10 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
Americans. but will iniurously compete
with those justly entitled TO our field OF
labor.
Ina letter accepting the nomination to
the office OF Governor, nearly two years
ago, made the following statement, TO
which have steadily adhered:
"Tbe labOring classes constitute the main
part Of our population. They should be
protected in their efforts pcaceably TO as
sert their rights when endangered by az
gregated capital. and all statutes on this
subject should recognize the care OF the
stale for honest toll and be framed with the
view OF improving the condition OF the
workingman."
A proper regard for The welfare OF the
workingman being inseparably connected
with the integrity OF our institutions, none
Of our citizens are more interested than
they IN guarding against any cOrrupilng
influences which Seekto prevent the beneli-
cent purposes Of the Government, and
none should he mere watchfui OF The ART
ful Vaccinations Of those who allure
them to seli-Iufected injury. In a free
country. the curta!ment OF the absolute
rights u IN Indyidua! should only be such
as is essential TO the peace and good order
Of the community. The limit between the
proper subjects Of the Government andthc
control Of those which can be more fttngiy
left TO The moral sense Of self imposed re-
strain. O, a citizen should be carefully kept
in view. Thus, laws unnecessarily inter-
fering with the habits snd customs OF any
Of our people which axe not offensive 10
the moral sentiment OF the civilized world.
and which are consistent with good citizen
ship and public welfare, are unwise and
YeXatious.
The commerce Of the nation, to great
extent, determines its supremacy. Cheap
and easy transportation should therefore
| be literally fostereG. Within the limits OF
| the Constitution, the General Government
should so improve and protect its natural
waterways as will enable the pro.
ducers OF the country to reach a
| profitable market. The people pay
| the wages Of public employees, and
| they are entitled to the fair and honest
work which money thus paid should com,
| mand. II is the duty OF those intrusted
with the management OF these affairs to see
that such public service is forthcom-
| ing. The selection and retention OF su-
| bOrdnates In the Government employment
should depend upon their ascertained IT.
ness and the value Of their work. and
they should he neither expected nor al
| lowed 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 :;
The public employment will be open
TO all who can demonstrate Their
fitness 10 eIter il; uuseemiy scramble
for place under the Government, with con-
sequeut importantly which em6itters OFF,
cial life. Will cease, and the public depart
ments will not be filled with those who
conceive il to be their first duty to aid the
l..