McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-08-28
GOVERNOR CLEVELAND.
His Letter Accepting the Democratic
Nomination for President.

Governor Cleveland's letter formally
accepting the democratic nomination for
president Of the United States is as fol-
lows:
GENTLEMEN: have received your COM
municxtion dated July %, 1884, informing
me Of my nomination to the Office of presi-
dent OF the United States by the national
democratic convention lately assembled at
Chicago. I accept the nomination with
grateful appreciation Of the supreme honor
conferred, and . solemn sense of the re-
sponsibility which, In its acceptance, as
sumo. have carefully considered the
platform adopted by the convention, and
cordially approve the SINE. So plain
statement Of democratic faith and the prin-
ciples upon which that party appeals to the
suffrages Of the people needs no supplement
or explanation. 1t should be remembered
ecutive in its nature. The laws enacted by
the legislative branch of the government
the chief executive Is bound faithfully to
e. force, and when the wisdom of the po-
litical party which selects one Of its mem
bers as the nominee for that Office has out
lined its policy and declared its principles,
it seems to me that nothing In the character
of the Office or the ne ;essities of The case
requires 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
cannot be too often recalled or too serious
ly enforced. We proudly call ours gov
eminent by the people. 1t is notsuch when
a class is tolerated which arrogates to itself
the management of public affairs, seeking
to contro the people instead 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 perpetuates
its power by eajoling and betraying the peo-
pie instead OF serving them. A government
not by the people when result which
should represent the intelligent will of free
and thinking men is or can be determined
bv the shamelessness of their suffrages.
When an election to Office shall be the sc.
lection by the voters of one of their number
to assume for time a pubic trust instead
Of his dedication to the profession Of poll
tics; when the holders Of the ballots, quick
ened by sense Of duty, shall avenge truth
betrayed and pledges broken, and when
the suffrage shall be altogether free and I'M
corrupted, the full realization of govern
ment 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 disqualify-
ing the president from election. When we
consider the patronage of this great Office,
the allurements of power, the temptation to
retain public place once gained, and,s more
than all, the availability party finds in an
incumbant whom horde of Office holders,
with a zeal born of benefits received, and
fostered by the hope OF favors yet to come,
stand ready tn aid with money and trained
20 iLical service, we recognize in
the eligibility Of the president from
reelection most serious danger to
that calm, deliberate and intelligent po-
litical action which must characterize gov
eminent by the people. A true American
sentiment recognizes the dignity of labor and
toe fact that honor lies in honest toll. 1t is
that labor is an element of ma
tionsl prosperity. The ability to work con-
stiiutes the capital of the wages Of labor
the income of = vast number of our popula-
tion; and this interest should be jealousy
projected. Our workingmen are not asking
indulgence; but as intelligent
and manly citlzens they seek the same con-
which those demand who have
other interests at stake. They should re-
ceive their full share of the care and atten.
ton of those who make and execute the
laws, to the end that the wants and needs of
the employers and the employed shall alike
be subserved, and the property of the coun-
try, the common heritage of both, be ad-
vanced. As related to this subject, while
we should not discourage the emigration of
those who come to acknowledge allegiance
to our government and add to our citizen
population, yet as means OF protection to
our workingmen, a different rule should |
prevail concerning them who, il they come
become Americans, but will in1uriously |
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 state |
ment, to which l have strictly adhered: |
THE lsboring classes constitute the main |
part OF our population. They should be |
heir r. hts when endangered by aggregated |
capital; and all statutes on this subject |
should recognize the care Of the state for
lonest toll and be framed with view of |
n proving the condition Of the working.
man, A proper regard for the welfare of
lected with the integrity of our institu-
ions, none Of our citizens are more inter-
sted than they in guarding against any
,orrupting influences which seek to pervert
he benefcent purposes OF our government,
md none should be more watchful of the
VI ttul Vaccinations of those who allure
hem to self-inflicted injury. In free
lights Of the Individual should only be such
IS is essential to the peace and good order
II the community. The limit between the
proper subjects Of governmental control
md those which caR be more httingly left
o the moral sense and self-imposed re-
traint of the citizen, should be carefully
Iept in view. Thus laws unnecessarily in
offering with the habits and customs of
my of our people, which are not offensive
o the moral sentiments of the civilized
world, and which are consistent with good
and the public welfare, are un-
wise and vexations. The commerce of a
lation to 8 great extent determines its
supremacy. Cheap and easy transportation
hould therefore be literally fostered, with.
n the limits of the constitution. The gen.
eral government should so improve and
protect lis national waterways as will enable
he producers of the country tn reach a
profitable market. The people pay the
wages Of the public employees and they are
Untitled to the fair and honest work which
he money thus paid should command. II
S the duty Of those entrusted with the
OF these affairs to see that
UGH public service is forthcoming. The
election and retention Of subordinates
q government employment should
lepend upon their ascertained fit
less and the value of their work, and thy
hould be neither expected nor allowed to