The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-08-22
Gov. Cleveland's Letter.
Honest Government for the People.

nation with grateful appreciation OF the su-
prome honor conferred and solemn sense OF the
responsibility which in Its Acceptance assume. l
have carefully considered the platform adopted
by the convention and cordially approve the
same. SO plain a statement OF Democratic faith
and the principles upon which that party appeals
to the SURFACES OF the people needs no supple
ment or explanation.
II should be remembered that the onlce Of Pres
ident is essentially executive in Its nature. The
laws enacted by the legislative branch OF the gov
ernment the chief Executive is bound faithfully
TO enforce, and when the wisdom OF the political
party which selects one OF Its members as nomi
nee for that Office has outlined It's policy and do
clared its principles, It seems to me that nothing
in the character OF the Office or the necessities OF
the case requires more from the candidate accept
ing such nomination than the suggestion OF GER
tain well known truths so absolutely Vital to the
safety and welfare of the nation that they cannot
be too often recalled or too seriously enforced.
WHEN rns rEorLE GOVERN.
We proudly call ours a government by the peo-
pie. 1t is not such when class Is tolerated when
arrogates to itself the engagement OF pubic al
fairs seeking to control the people instead OF rep
resenting them. Parties are the necessary out
growth OF our institution but government Is
not by the people when one party fastens Its con-
troll upon the country and perpetuates power ny
cajoling and betrayng the people Instead Oh serV-
ing them. A government Is not by peopie
when a result which would represent the lnteln'
gent will OF free and thinking men is, or can De,
determined by the shameless corruption OF their
suffrages
When an election to the ofice shall be the selec-
tion by the voters OF one OF their number 10 as
sumo for time public trust, instead OF MS ueui-
cation to the profession OF politics, when the mol
ders OF the ballot, quickened by sense OF duty,
shall avenge truth betrayed and pledges broken,
and when the suffrage shall be altogether free and
uncorrupted, the fu'l 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 Consti-
tuition dsqualifying the President from re-elec-
ton. When we consider the patronage OF thls
great onice, the allurements of power, the temp
tation to retain public places once gained and
more than ALL the availability party finds In an
| incumbent whom horde Of offce-hoders, with
zeal born OF benefits received and fostered py the
hope Of favors yet to come, stand ready 10 alu
with money and trained political service, we rec
ognize In the eligibility OF the Presldeht ior ie-
election most serious danger to that calm, deib-
crate andintelligent political action which must
characterize government by the people.
THE INTERESTS OF LABOR.
| A true American sentiment recognizes the dig
nifty OF labor and the fact that honor lies In hon
| est, contented labor Is an element OF national
prosperity. Ability to work constitutes the capi-
| tai and the wage of labor the income of a vast
number OF our population, and this interest should
| be jealousy protected Our workingmen are not
asking unreasonable Indulgence; but as intelli-
gent and manly citizens, they seek the same con-
| sideration which those demand who have other
interests at stake They should receive their fuil
share OF the care and attention OF those who make
| and 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 advanc-
ed AS related to this subject, while we should
not discourage the immigration OF those who
come to acknowledge allegiance to our govern.
ment and add to our citizen population, yet as a
means OF protection to our workingmen different
rule should prevail concerning those who, II they
come or are brought to our land, do not intend Il
| become American citizens but will inJuriously
compete with those justly entitled to our field o.
labor
PROTECTION FOR LABOR
In a letter accepting the nomination to the onic'
OF Governor, nearly two years ago, l made the
following statement TO which have steadily ad
hered: "The laboring classes constitute tn
main part OF our population. They should be pro
tected In their efforts peacably to assert thei
rights when endangered by aggregated capital
and all statutes on this subject should recogniz
the of the State for honest toll and be frames
with view of improving the condition OF tn
workingman. A proper regard for the welfare o
the workingman being lnseparably connected witt
the Integrity OF our Institutions none of our citi
zens are more Interested than they in guarding
against any corrupting influences which seek tt
pervert the bene1cent purposes OF our government
and none should be more watehtul OF the artfu
machinati ms Of those who allure them to self-in
1icted injury"
RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL.
. In free country the curtailment OF the abso
lutte rights OF the Individual should only be sucl
as Is essential to the peace and good order OF tn
community The limit between the proper sui
Jects OF governmental control and those which ca
be more ittingly left TO the moral sense and sell
imposed restraint OF the citizen should be careful
I. ly kept in view. Thus laws unnecessarily inte
fering with the habits and customs OF any OF ou
people which are not offensive TO the moral sent
ments Of the civilized world and which are consis
!. : ent with good citizenship and the public welfar
: are unwise and vexatious.
y Inc COHlucTCe Vi u udlluu W Sltdl cAIeht w
n termines Its supremacy. Cheap aud easy tran
: portation should thereby be literally fostere
n Within the limits OF the Constitution the Gener
Government should so improve and protect 1
natural waterways as will enable the producers
II the country to reach profitable market.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The people pay the wages OF the public emplo
= | es and they are entitled to the fair and homes
work which the money thus paid should cor
mand. 1t is the duty OF those intrusted with Il
management OF their affairs TO see that such pu
l | lie service is forthcoming The selection and I
]. tention OF subordinates In government emplo
:, ment should depend upon their ascertained 4
= ness and the value OF their work, and they shou
be neither expected nor allowed to do question
: bic party service. The interests OF the people W
), be better protected the estimate OF public lab
O and duty will be immensely improved; public Ell
4 ployment will be open to all who can demonstra
their illness TO enter IT. the unseemly scramt
for place under the government, with the cons
ouent importantly which embltters ofical Ii
!. win cease and the public departments will not
filled with those who conceive 1t to be their III
10 duty to aid the party TO which they they owe tn
n places instead OF rendering patient and honest
,, turn TO the people. ......
HONEST ADMINISTRATIONS WANTED.
~ believe that the public temper is such that I
or voters OF the land prepared TO support the p
m ty which gives the best promise OF administer
~ the government In the honest, simple and pls
! manner which is consistent with its character q
70 purposes. They have learned that mystery a
~ concealment In the management OF their ana
H. cover tricks and betrayal. The statesmansl
ne they require consists In honesty and frugality
ar prompt response to the needs OF the people
- they arise and the vigiant protection OF all tn
varied interests
II should he called TO the Chief Magistracy
eh the nation by the sufrages OF my fellow-cltize
lis Will assume the duties OF that high ONCE wit
sd solemn determination TO dedicate every eff ort
of the country's good and with an humble relial
upon the favor and support OF the Supreme Bel
~ who believe will always bless honest human
lG asa.- L.. s