Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-20
CLEvELAND'S LETTER OF ACCEPT.
ANCE.
Not Very Lengthy or Bri Iliant Docu.
ment.

NEw YORK, Aug. l9.
The following is Clevelsnds letter of ac-
ceptance;
Albany, Aug. Is.
Gentlemen 81 have received your COM
munication dated July IS. 1884, informing
me of NV nomination to the office of the
presidency of the United States by the Ma
t'onal Democratic Convention, lately assem-
bled at Chicago
| accept the nomination with a grateful
appreciation OF the supreme honor conferred,
and solemn sense Of the responsibility
which in its acceptance | assume. | have
carefully considered the platform adopted by
the convention and cordially approve the
same So plain is the statement of demo
cratic faith and principles upon which that
party appeal to the sutirages OF the people il
needs no supplement or explanation. Ii
should be remembered that the Office OF the
presidency is essentially executive in the
nature of the laws enacted by the legislative
branch of the government, the chief of the
executive is bouEd faithfully 10 enforce, and
when the wisdom of political party which
selects one of its members as a nominee for
that Office has oItlived its policy anl declared
its principles, il seems 10 me that nothing in
the character of an office or of the necessities
accepting such nomination than the sugges-
tion of certain well known truths SO absolute
ly vital TO the safety and welfare of the nation
that they cannot be too often recalled or
seriously enforced.
We proudly call ours the government by
the people. II is not such when the class is
tolerated which delegates to itself the manage
meuI of public affairs, Seeking 10 control
the people instead of representing them
Parties are the necessary outgrowth of
our institutions, but the government is not
by the people when one party fastens its con
troll upon the country and perpetuates its
power by conjoling and betraying the people
instead OF serving them.
Government is not by the people when the
result which should represent the intelligent
will of free and thinking men is or can be
determined by the shameless corruption of
their suffrage, When an election TO Office
shall be a selection by voters OF one of their
number to assume for time a public trust
instead of his dedication to the profession of
politics, when the holder of ballot, quick.
ened by a sense of duty, shall avenge the
truth betrayed and pledges broken, when the
suffrage shall be free and ancorrupted, the
full realization OF government by the people
will be at hand. And of means to this end
effective than an amendment TO the constitu-
ton disqualifying a president from reelec-
ton. When we consider the patronage of
this great office, the allurements of power,
the temptation to retain public place once
gained and more than all the availability
party finds in an incumbent whom horde of
office holders with zeal born of the benefits
received and fostered by the hope of favors
vet to come stand ready TO aid with money
and political service, we recognize the eleg
ibility of the president for reelection as a
most serious danger to that calm, deliberate
and intelligent political action which must
characterize government hy the people. A
true American sentiment recognizes the dig
nifty of labor and the fact that honor lies in
honest toll.
Cpn-cntod labor j. the clcme II 1f rra sneri,y
The ability to work constitutes capital and
the wage of labor is the income of vast
number of our population and that interest
should be jealously protected Our work
ingmen are not asking unreasonable indul-
gence, but as intellingent and manly citizens
they seek the same consideration which those
demand who have other interests at stake.
They should receive the full care and at
tentiOn of those who make and execute laws
to the end that the wants and needs of EN-
plOyees and employed shall alike be sub
versed and the prosperity of the country, the
common heritage of both. be advanced as re
lated to this subject. While we should not
discourage immigration of those who ac-
knowledge alliance to our government
and add to our citizen popu-
laton. yet as a means of protection to
our workingmen a different rule should pre-
vail concerning those who, if they come are
brought to our land. do not become Ameri-
cans but will injuriously compete with those
who are 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 30 which
have steadily adhered "Laboring classes
constitute the main party Of our population
They should be protected in the efforts of
peace ably to assert their right when endang
cred by aggregated capital and all statutes
on this subject should recognize the care of
the state for honest toll and be framed with a
view of improving the condition of the work
ingman."
The proper regard for the welfare of the
workingman being iuseparably connected
with the integrity of our institutions none of
our citizens are more interested than they in
guarding against the corrupting influences
which seek to pervert the benefcient pur
poses OF our government. anu none snOulu
be more watchful of the artful Vaccinations
of those who allure them to self inflicted
injury. In free country the curtailment
Of absolute rights of the individual should
only be such as il is essential TO the peace
and good order of the community. The
limit between the proper subjects of govern
mental control and those which can be more
willingly left to the moral sense and self i'm
posed restraint of the citizens should be care
fully kept in view. Thus laws necessarily
interfering with the habits and customs OF
our people which are not offensive to the
moral sentiment of the civilized world and
which are consistent with good citizenship
and public welfare are unwise and vexatious
The commerce Of the nation, to a great ex.
tent, determines its supremacy. Cheap and
easy transportation should be literally fos
tered. Within the limits of the constitution
the general government should so improve
and protect It's natural waterways as will en-
able the producers OF the country to reach a
profitable market. The people pay the
wages of public employees and they are en-
titled to fair and honest work which the
money thus paid should command. It is the
duty Of the management Of their affairs to
see such service forthcoming. The selec-
ton and retention of subOrdinates in the gov
ernment employment should depend on their
ascertained fitness and value their work, and
they should be neither expected nor allowed
to do questionable parry service The inter
ests Of the people will be better protected