The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-08-28

Their Letters Accepting the Nomination.
for President and Vice President.
CLEVELAND.


Their Letters Accepting the Nominations
for President and Vice President.
CLEVELAND.
Gov. Cleveland's letter formally accept
ing the Democratic nomination for Presi-
dent of the United States is as follows:
GENTLEMEN: have received your commpni-
cation dated July ~. 1884. informing me OF my
nomination to the ONCE OF resident OF the
United States by the National Democratic Con-
yention lately assembled at Chicago i accept
the nomination with q grateful appreciation OF
of the responsibility which. In Its acceptance, 1
i have carefully considered the platform
adopted by the convention, and cordially an
prove the same. SO CLAIM statement Of DEM
ocratic faith and principles upon which that
party appeals to the suffrages or the people
should be remembered that the Office OF
President Is essentially executive In its
nature. The laws enacted by the legs.
latiye branch of the Government the Chief
Executive Is bound faithfully 10 enforce.
And when the wisdom OF the political party
which selects one OF Its members as nominee
declared It's principles, 1t seems TO me that
nothing in the character or the office or the
necessities OF the case requires more from the
Candidate accepting such nomination than the
suggestion OF certain well-known truths 80 alb
solutely vital To the safety and welfare or the
nation that they cannot be too often recalled
nor too seriously enforced. We proudly call
ours o government by the people. IL Is not
such when a class Is tolerated which arrogates
to itself the management or public affairs. seek
ing TO control the people instead of REPRESENTING
them. Parties arc the necessary outgrowth or
our institutions, but government Is not by
the people wnen one party fastens Its control
upon the country, and perpetuates Its power by
cajoling and betray1ng the people instead or
serving them; government Is not by the
people when a result which should represent
the INTELLIGENT will or free and thinking men Is
or can be determined by the shameless perver-
When an election to Office shall be the selec-
ton by the voters of one OF their number to
assume for time public,trust, instead OF his
dedication to the profession OF politics; when
the holders of the ballots, quickened by sense
of duty, shall avenge truth betrayed and
pledges broken, and when the suffrage shall be
altogether free and uncorrupted, the full reali-
zation of a government by the people will be at
hand. And AK a means TO this end, no one
would, in my Judgment, be more effective than
an amendment to the Constitution dlsqualfylng
the President from reelection. When we con-
slider the patronage OF this great ofhce, the al
lurements of power, the temptation TO retain
public place once gained, and more than all.
the availability party finds in an incumbent
whom horde or 0ttceholde 8, with zeal born
OF benefits received. and rostered by the hope
OF favors yet to come, stand ready 10 aid with
money and trained political service, we recog-
nize in the eligibility OF the President for re-
election most serious danger TO that calm, de-
liberate, and intelligent political action which
must characterize government by the people.
A true American sentiment recognizes the
honest toll. Contented lator is an element OF
national prosperity. Ability TO work consti-
tutes the capital, and the wages of labor the in
come of q vast number OF our population; and
this interest should be jcalously protected. Our
workingmen are not asking unreasonable indul-
gence; 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 OF the country, the
common heritage OF both, be advanced.
AS related to this subject, while we would 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 workinSmen, 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 COM
pete 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 statement, to which have stead
lily adhered:
The laboring classes constitute the main part
of our population. They should be protected in
their EFFORTS peaceably to assert their lights 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 work.
ingman.
proper regard for the welfare of the work.
ingmen being inseparably connected with the
4
are more interested than they in guarding
against any corrupting purposes which seek to
pervert the benehcent influences OF our Govern
ment; and none should be more watchful of the
artful Vaccinations OF those who allure them to
self-infiicted injury.
In free country the curtalment Of the alb
solute 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 fittingly left to the
moral sense and self-imposed restraint OF the
citizen 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 tho
civilized world, and which are consistent with
good citizenship and the public welfare, are un-
| wise and vexatious.
The commerce of a nation TO a great extent
determines Its supremacy: Cheap and easy
| fostered. Within the limits OF the Constitu-
ton, the General Government should so i'm
prove and protect its natural waterways as will
enable the producers OF the country to reach a
profitable market.
The people pay the wages of the public en-
ployes and they are entitled to the fair and hon.
est work which the money thus paid should
command. 1t Is the duty of those intrusted
with the management OF their affairs to see that
such public service is forthcoming The selec-
ton and rete, ton of subordinates in Govern
ment employment should depend upon
their ascertained fitness and the value sof
nor allowed to do questionable party service.
The interests OF the people will be better pro-
teGteu, tne estimate OF pubic ldDOr ana duty
will be immensely improved; public employ
ment will be open to all who demonstrate their
fitness to enter it, The unseemly scramble for
place under the Government, with the conse-
quent Emporium ty which embitters official life,
will cease, and the public departments will not be
filed with those who conceive IL to be their first
duty to aid the party TO which they owe their
places, instead OF rendering patient and honest
return TO the people.
i 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 adj
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 craftsmanship they require con-
sists in honesty and frugality, r. prompt re-
Spouse to the needs Of the people as they arise,
and the vigilant protection of all their varied
interests. III / should be called to the Chief
Magistracy of the nation by the SURFACES of my
| felow-citzens will assume the duties of that
high office with q solemn determination to dedi-
cate every effort to the country's good, and with
a humble reliance upon the favor and support
of the Supreme Being. who, L believe will al
ways bless honest human endeavor in the con-
scentious discharge of public duty.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
To Col. William +. Villas. Chairman, and ID. p.
Bestor and Others, members of the Notifica-
tion Committee of the Democratic National
Convention.