The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-10-04
MORTON.
Letter of Acceptance of the Re-
publican Candidate for tn o
Vice-presidency.
Harps Upon the Protectective
Plank of the Platform,
Not on Free Whisky.


ing is the letter of acceptance of Hon
Levi p Morton, republican candidate for
the vice presidency:
To Hon. W. NJ. Estee and Others, Com
In making formal
acceptance of my nomination as the re-
publican candidate for the vice presidency
l desire to express my grateful apprecia-
ton of the confidence reposed in me by
the convention. The duties devolving
upon the vice-president as presiding
officer of the senate, in certain contin-
gencies participating in the legislation of
congress, make it proper that the people
should know distinctly and unreservedly
the political views of the candidate who
may be presented for their suffrages.
1t fortunately happens that this duty
for myself is easily discharged by re-
ferring to the principles embodied in the
resolutions unanimously adopted by the
national convention. These resolutions,
unequivocal and of a comprehensive char
acter, reflect my personal convictions and
have my hearty approval. 1t is difficult,
however, in political campaign to fix
popular attention upon more than one
issue, and in the pending election every
voter in the United States clearly sees that
the controlling question is whether the pro-
tective tariff duties now in force shall be 80
reduced as to destroy their efficiency, 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 reoog-
nizing the necessity of reducing the reve.
nue., declares that this reduction must not
be made at the expense of these industries
and of American labor, and the Ameri-
can people have now enjoyed the
protective system for loHger continuous
period than ever before in the history of
the national government. The result is
that for more than century they have
realized degree of industry and financial
prosperity unprecedented in this country
and never equalled in any other. The
reason for reform given for once again
trying the experiment of revenue
tariff without protection, is
that the present tariff has
produced and is producing surplus in
the treasury. But is it not
easily within the wisdom of congress
to adjust the national income to the ma
tional expenditure without sacrificing OF
even paralyzing any industrial system
which has brought untold advantages tc
the entire country? Admitting that the
present tariff, by the lapse of time and Q
large expansion of trade which it has
stimulated, has need Of revision, is it moi
wiser and more patriotic to revise it with
careful regard to the interests of pro-
lection than with the purpose of lessenine
its protective featuresP These are some
of the questions which must be answered
at the national polls in November.
For myself, as citizen and as candi-
} date, do not hesitate to declare thai
| from long observation am the unwaver
ing friend of the protective system. Il
business life now extending over fort
yeare, have witnessed and compared tn
effect upon the country of a revenue tarif
tending to free trade with a protectiv
tariff encouraging, home industries. I'm
der the former the development of tn
country has always been arrested, Will
! under the latter it has uniformly beef
promoted. To men who earn their breat
by the sweat of their brow the difference
between the two systems is that of mar
rowing the chances on the one hand and
expanding opportunities on the other.
| Free trade would open America to com
petition with the whole world. Protection
reserves America for Americans, nativ
and adopted. The industrial system o
our country is as sensitive as its public
credit. A hostile movement creates dis
trust in the public mind and confidence
the only basis of successful trade become
impaired, new enterprises wither in tn
bud, capital grows timid, the field of labo
is contracted and the pressure for employ
ment inevitably reduces the wages of al
workiEgmen.
With these views of the platform
frankly expressed, in its resolutions upol
all other questions of public interest
feel myself in hearty accord.
In relation to silver and its importan
bearing upon the national currency, a
well as its connection with and infuenc
on the prosperity of large sections of on
common country; in its advocacy Of
, judicious settlement of public Ian
policy; in urging the necessity for bette
coast defenses and the duty we owe Oh
shipping interests of the country, th
platform but repeats the approve
n principles of the republican party.
] The republican platform proposes
q distinctly American policy-not one {
narrowness and bigotry-but one broa
and philanthropic policy that best hell
the whole world by the example of grea
d rowing, powerful nation, founded upo
the eq uaiity of every man before the la'
It is for the American people to develo
and cultivate the continent TO whic
8 in the providence of God, they ha'
Q fallen heirs. They should ado
q policy which looks steadily to thisigre
3 end, with no spirit of narrowness towal
Q other people, but rather in the highe
interests of all. They could find und
0 their own flag field of limitless advan'
Q in the direction of improvement, prot
o perity and the happiness of man.
Very respectfully yours,
lSigned. LEVI p. MOTION.