The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-08-22
Gov. Cleveland's Letter.
THE WORDS OF A STATESMAN.
The Government for the People.
Not for the Office Holders.

The Government Tor the PEOPLE,
Not for the Office Holders.
A MANLY AND SENSIBLE DOCUMENT
ALBANY, N. Y. August 19-The following was
received to-day by Col. Lamont, secretary to Coy.
Cleveland, who is at Upper Saranac Lake. with
instructions to make it public on Its receipt:
To co., William F. Vilas Chairman, and D. p. Bes.
tor and Others Members Of the Notification COM
mittee Of the Democrotic National Convention
Gentlemen: have received your communica-
ton dated July 2Sth. 1884, informing me of my
nomination to the office Of President of the
United States by the national Democratic con-
vention lately assembled at Chicago.
l accept the nomination with grateful appre-
citation of the supreme honor conferred and a
solemn sense of the responsibility which in it's
acceptance, / assume.
/ have carefully considered the platform adopt
ed by the convention and cordially approve the
same So plain statement of Democratic faith
and the principles upon which that party appeals
to the suffrages of the people needs no supple
ment or explanation.
TIE PRESIDENT BUT AN EXECUTIVE.
1t should be remembered that the office of
The laws enacted by the legislative branch of the
government the Chief Executive is bound faith
FULLY to enforce, and when the wisdom of the
political party which selects one OF its members
as nominee for that Office has outlined its policy
and declared its principles. it seems to me that
nothing in the character Of the office or TIE
candidate accepting such nomination than the
suggestion of certain well-known truths SO abso-
lutely vital to the safety and welfare OF the ma
ton that they cannot be too often recalled or
4 PEOPLES GOVERNMENT.
We proudly call ours government by the
people. 1t is not such when class is tolerated
which arrogates to itself the management of pub
lie affairs, seeking to control the people instead
Parties are the necessary outgrowth of our
institutions but government is not by the peo-
HfNy ito hn
country perpetuates its power by cajoling and
betraying the people instead of serving them.
is not by me people when ma re- e.
free and thinking men is, or can be, determined
by the shameless corruption of their suffrages
When an election to office shall be the selection
by the voters of one of their own number to
assume for time public trust instead of his
dedication to the profession of politics. when the
holders of the ballot, quickened by sense of
duty, shall avenge truth betrayed and pledges
broken. and when the suffrage shall be altoge-
Their free and uncorrupt, the full realization of
government by the people will be at hand.
ONE TERN FOR THE PRESIDENT.
And of the means to this end not one would, in
my judgment, be more effective than an amend
ment to the constitution disqualifying the Presd-
ent from reelection. When we consider the
patronage of this great office, the alurements OF
power, the temptation TO retain public place once
gained, and, more than all availability party
finds in an incumbent whom a horde of office
holders with 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 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 constitutes
the capital and tho wage of labor the income OF
avast number of our population, and this inter-
est should be Zealously protected. Our working
men are not 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 who make and execute the
laws, to the end that the wants and needs of the
employers and the employed shall alike be sub
served and the prosperity or the country. the
common heritage of both, be advanced.
THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION.
AS related to this subject, while we should not
discourage the immigration of those who come
to acknowledge allegiance to our government
and add to our citizen population, yet as 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 to
become Americans, but will injuriously compete
with those justly entitled to our field of labor.
THE LABORERS SHOULD BE PROTECTED.
In q letter accepting the nomination to the Of
fee of Governor, nearly two years ago, l made
the following statement. to which have steadi-
1.-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 stat
utes on this subject should recognize the care OF
the State for honest toll. and be framed with q
view of improving the condition of the working.
man."
proper regard for the welfare of the
workingmau being inseparably connected with
the integrity of our institutions. none of our citi-
zens are more interested than they in guarding
against any corrupting influences which seek to
al Sf o
artful Vaccinations Of those who allure them to
self-inficted 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 sub
jects of governmental control and those which
can be most fittngy left to the moral sense and
imposed restraint of the citizen should be care
fully Kept in view. Thus laws unnecessarily in
terfering with the habits and customs of any oul
people which are not offensive to the moral SEN
sistent with good citizenship and the public vel
fare, are unwlse and vexatious.
COMMERCE SHOULD BE PROTECTED.
The commerce of nation to a great extent de
termlnes Its supremacy. Cheap and easy trans
portation should therefore be literally fostered
Within the limits of the constitution the genera
government should so improve and protect it
natural waterways as will enable the producer
of the country to reach profitable market.
CIVIL SERVICE.
The people pay the wages of the public EN-
ployes, and they are entitled to the fair and hon
mand. tits The duty Of those entrusted with tn
management of their affairs to see that such pub
lie service is forthcoming. The selection and re
tention OF subordinates in government employ
ment should depend upon their ascertaiued fit
ness and the value of their work. and they SHOULD
BILE party service. The interests of the peopl
will be better protected; the estimate of publ
labor and duty will be immensely improved pub
lie employment will be open to all who can de
monstrate their fitness to enter it; the unseeml
scramble for places under the government, wit
the consequent importantly which embitters Off
cial life. will cease, and the public department
will not be filed with those who conceive 1t to
their first duty to aid the party to which they ow
their places, instead of rendering patient an
honest return to the people.
HONEST AND FRUGAL GOVERNMENT.
believe that the public temper is such that tn
voters of the land are prepared to support tn
party which gives the best promise of administer
ing the government in the honest simple an
plain manner which Is consistent with its charaC
ter and purposes. They have learned that mys
terry and conoealment in the management c
their affairs cover tricks and betrayal TIL
stalesmanship they require consists in honest
and frugality, prompt response to the needs c
the people as they arise. and the vigilant protet
ton of all their varied interests.
EVERY EFFORT FOR THE COUNTRYS GOOD.
If / should be called to the chief magistrac
of the nation by the suffraRes of my fellow-c cit
zens, will assume the duties OF that high offiC
with a solemn determination to dedicate ever
effort to the country's good, and with an humb
reliance upon the favor and support OF the Si
preme Being, who I believe will always blei
honest human endeavor In the conscientious di
charge of public duty.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
DO you wish beautiful complexion2 The