Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1884-08-28
Tie Presidency and ne Reaple

70 GIL william T. Yl1s. Clcirm1a, eed y. :.
R,-',r al.d Others Mem5crs ~ he NltifgtioE
Committee Of tse Dem0eIic Aafioaai Cow9'-
. ton.
Gcatemen: / have received your com
n.unication dated July ., 1891, informing
me of my nomination to the Office of Presi
dent of the United STATES by the national
democratic convention lately assembled 1t
Chicago
accept the nomination with a grateful
appreciation OF the supreme honor confer
red and Il solemn sense OF the responsible
ity which, III its acceptance, ] assume
have carefully considered the platform
adopted By the convention and cordially ap-
prove the same. 50 plain statement OF
democratic faith aud the principles upon
which that party appeals % the su.irages OF
the people needs no supplement or explain
alton.
TIE PRBTDEST But Az EXECUTIVE
1t should be remembered that the Office
of President is essentially executive in It's
nature The laws enacted by the legislative
branch OF the government the CHIEF Excel
tive is bound faithfully to enforce, aad when
the wisdom Of the political party which s.
lccts one of its members IS q nominee Ter
that Office has outlined its policy and de-
clared its principles, il seems TO me that
nothing in the character of the Office or the
necessities Of tie case Ecagircs I2ere ron
the candidate accepting such nomination
than the suggestion Of certain wcil-known
truths so absolutely vital to the safety and
welfare of the nation that they cannot be too
often recalled CT too seriously enforced.
PEoPIr's GOVERNMENT.
We proudly call ours q government by the
people. Il is not such when a class Is toler-
atcd which arrcgates 20 itsclf the manage
mcnt OF pGblic affairs, seeking 70 control
the people instead Of representing them.
Parties are the necessary oulgrowth oi our
Institutions bus government is not by the
people when enc party fasten5 its control
upon the country, and perpetuatcs rs power
By caioling and betraying the people instead
Of serving them.
4 government is not by the people when
l. result which should represent the lntcilt-
gent will Of free and thinking men is, or can
be, determined by the shameless corruption
Of their sufirages.
When an election 70 otice shall be the
selection by the voters Of one OF their own
number 70 assume for time public trust
instead Of his dedication % the profession
of politics, when the holders Of the ballot,
ouickcned by q sense of duty, shall ayenge
truth betrayed and pledge broken. and when
the suffrage shall be altogether irce and un-
corrupted, the full realization of govern
mcnt by the people will be at hand
oyE TERM Foa TIN PRESIDENT.
And of the means to this end not one would,
in nv Judgment, be mere effective than an
amendment tothc constitution disqualitying
the President from reelection. 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 >ofiicehOlccrs,
with q zeal born of benefits received and
fostered by the hope of favoFs yet % come,
stand ready 10 aid with money and trained
political service, we recognize m the e.lgl-
bility Of the President for reelection q mos.
serious danger to that calm. deliberate and
intelligent political action which must char
acterize a government by the people.
DIGNITY OF LABOR.
A true American sentiment recognizes the
dignity of labor, and the fact tha. honor lies
in honest toll. Contented labor T. 81 element
ofnational prosperity Ability - w0fE con
st;tu.es the capital and the wage Of labor the
income. of a vast number OF oar population
and this interest should be Zealousiy pro
tected. Our wsrkingmcn aEe not asking
unreasonable indulgence, bet as intelligent
and manly citizens they seek the same con-
sideratien which those demand who have
other interests 1t stake.
They should receive their full shaEe OF the
care and attention Of those who make anu
execute the laws, % the end tha. the wants
and needs Of the employers and the en-
rloycd shall alike be su5serycd and the
prosperity cf the country, the common heE-
itage Of both, be advanced.
THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION.
As related to this subject, while weshould
not discourage theimmlgration oi those VINO
come 10 acknowledge allegiance 70 our
government and add 20 our citizen popuia-
ton. vet a. means 0f protection u our
yorkingmen a different rule should prevail
concerning those Vho, if they come or are
brought 10 our land, dOnot intend % become
( Americans. but will injurioCsly compete
. with these Justly entitled to our field OF ID
/ bsr
/ THE LABoRFRs SHOULD BE PROTECTED.
! In a letter accepting tie nomination tothG
office of Governor, nearly two years ago,
made the following statement, to which
have steadily adhered
"The laboring classes constitute the main
mart Of cur population. They should b,
protected in their efforts peaceably TO asserl
! their rights when endangered by aggregated
capital. and all statutes on this snblese
| 49, -. -. IL. c.-c nf III. S.a,e ful