Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-03
MIR. MORTON,s LETTER.
He Formally Accepts the Republican
Nomination for yicc.Pres,dent

tlCcsfHeSl0cnt.
THE CONTROLLING QUESTION OF THE CAMPAIGN Is
THAT OF PROTECTIVE TARIFF-THE REPUBLICAN
PLATFORM HEARTILY ENDORSED
Following Is Mr.. Morton,s letter OF acceptance.
dated Rhinechn. N. Y, October 2, and addressed
10 the Hon NJ. N. Estee and others, committee:
GKSTLEAES: In making formal acceptance OF
my nomination as the republican candidate for
the Nice-Presidency, desire to express my CRATE
fui appreciation OF the confidence reposed in me
oy the convention The duties devolving upon the
'ce-Pres1dent as presiding officer OF the senate,
am, In certain contingencies, participant In the
legislation OF Congress, make IL proper that the
people should know distinctly and unreservedly
the political views Of the candidate who may be
presented for their SURFACES IL fortunately hap
pens that this duty for myself Is easily discharged
oy referring TO the principles embodied IN tne re.
solutions Unanimously adopted 0y ,ns nai'o and
comprehensive in character, reflect my personal
convictions and have my hearty approval IL Is
dimcult, how YER, In a political campaign 70 nx
popular attention on more than one issue, and, In
the pending election, every voter In Inc united
States clearly sees that
THE CONTROLLING QUEsr ON
Is, whether the protective tariff duties now in
force shall be reduced as to destroy their EN-
ciency or whether these duties shall be- retained,
with such notifications and adjustments as shall
better adapt them to the great end OF protecting
the vast and important Industries OF the whole
country. The republican platform, while recOg-
nIZIng the necessity Of reducing the revenue, de-
clares that this reduction must not be made at
the expense OF these Industries and OF American
labor. Tue American people have now enjoyed
the protective system for a longer continuous
period than ever before in the history OF the ma
tional Government. The result Is that for more
than a quarter OF a century they have realized a
degree or Industrial and financial prosperity un-
precedented in this country and never eQualled in
any other The pressing reason given for once
again trying
TIE OLD EXPERIMENT OF A REVENUE TARIFF
without protection as motive or end, is that the
present tarin has produced and Is producing a
surplus In the Treasury. But is 1t not easily
within the wisdom OF Congress to adjust the
national income TO the national expenditure with
system which has brought untold advantage $ to
the entire country? Admitting that the present
tarn, by lapse Of time and the large expansion of
trade which IL has stimulated, needs revision Is 1t
not wiser and more Patriotic 10 revise IL with q
careful regard TO the interest OF prOtec tOn than
with the purpose or lessening its protective lea
lures?
These are some Of the questions which must be
answered at the national polls in November. For
my sell, as a cltlZen and as candidate, do not
hesitate 10 declare that. from long observation,
am an unWaver1ng friend OF the protective system
Ia business life, now extending over forty years.
l have witnessed and compared the effect upon
the country OF revenue tariff, tending to Tree
Trade with protective tariff encouraging home
Industries. Under the former the development Of
the country has always been arrested. While un
der the latter 1t has uniformly been promoted
TO the men who earn their bread by the sweat OF
their orOws, the difference between the two syS-
tens Is that OF narrowing chances ON the one hand
ana expanding opportunities on The otner. Free
trade would open America to competition with the
whole world; protection reserves
AMERICA Fob AMERICANS,
native and adopted.
The Industrial system Of q country is as sensi-
tive as Its public credit. A hostive movement
creates dlstrust In the public mind, and conf
dence, the only basis Of successful trade becomes
impaired New enterprises w1Jher in the bud,
capital grows ttmid, the field OF labor is con-
tracteu, and pressure for employment inevitably
reduces the wages OF all worklngmen. With the
views OF the convention, so frankly expressed in
It's resolutions, upon all other questions OF public
Interest, md myself In hearty accord. In rela-
ton TO silver and Its important bearing upon the
national currency, as well its connection with
and influence on the prosperity OF large sections
OF our common country, in It's advocacy Of judi
urging the necessity for better coast defenses and
the duty we owe to the shipping interests Of the
country, the platform but repeats the approved
principles OF the republican party.
Inc republican platform proposes distinctly
american policy; not one Of narrowness and
policy that best helps the whole world by the ex-
ample OF great, growing, powerful nation,
FOUNDED on the equally OF every man before the
law. IL Is for the American people TO develop and
cultivate the continent to which, In the providence
OF God, they have fallen heirs. They should
adopt policy which looks steadily to this great
end- with no spirit Of narrownes, toward other
peoples, but rather, in the highest interests or all
they should md under their own flag a field OF
limltleSs advance In the direction OF the i'm prove
ment, the prosperity and the happiness Of man.
IRvI p Noprox