The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-09-15
CLEVELAND ACCEPTS.
No Turning From His Views of
His Last Annual Message.
He Says unnecessary Taxation Is Un-
Just Taxa-tion"-The People are Bur-
dencd with War Taxes In Time OF
Peace-It Oppresses Labor. Con-
fines Lcgiti mate Industry
and Thrcatens General
Calamity.

WASHINGTON. Sept o-The following is the
Presidents letter Of acceptance.
Hon. Patrick A. Collins and others, commit
tee, etc:
GENTJEMEN-In addressing to you my formal
acceptance to the nomination to the Presidency
OF the United States my thoughts persistently
dwell upon the impressive relation OF such
action to the American people, whose confidence
is thus invited, and to the political party to
which belong, just entering upon contest for
continued supremacy.
The world docs not AFFORD spectacle more
sublime than is furnished when millions Of FREQ
and intelligent American citizens select their
CHIEF Magistrate, and bid one OF their number
TO find the highest earthly honor and the full
measure OF public duty in ready submission TO
their will.
1t follows that a candidate for this high ONCE
can never forget that when the turmoil and tho
strife which attend the selection OF its incumb-
cnt shall be heard no more, there must be In
the quiet calm which follows complete and
solemn selfconsecration by the peoples chosen
President of every faculty and endeavor to the
service of contiding and generous nation Of
frecmcn.
These thoughts are intensified by the light Of
my experience in the Presidential office, which
has soberly impressed me with the severe re-
sponsibility which II imposes. while 1t has
quickened my love for American institutions
and taught me the priceless value of the trust Of
my countrymen.
It is OF the highest Importance that those who
administer our Government should jealously
protect and maintain the rights Of American
citizens ut home and abroad, and should strive
to achieve for our country her proper place
among the nations Of the earth; but there is no
people whose home interests are so great, and
whose numerous objects of domestic concern
deserve so much watchfulness and care.
Among these are the regulation of sound
system suited to our needs, thus securing an
efficient agency of national wealth and general
prosperity; the construction and equipment Of
means OF defense, to insure our national safety
and maintain the honor beneath which such
national safety reposes; the protection of our
national domain, still stretching beyond the
needs OF n century's expansion, and its preser-
vation for the settler and the pioneer OF our
marvellous growth; n sensible and sincere rocog-
milton OF the value of Americad labor, leading to
the scrupulous care and just appreciation OF the
interests of our worliingmen; the limitation
and checking OF such monopolstic tendencies
and schemes as interfere with the advantages
and benefits which the people may rightly
claim; a generous regard and care for our sur
viving soldiers and sailors and fo& the widows
and orphans OF such us have died. to the end
that while the appreciation of their services
and sacrifices is qulckened the application of
their pension funds to improper cases may
be prevented; protection against u servile
immigration, which injuriously completes with
our laboring men in the field of toll, and adds
to our population an element ignorant of our
institutions anG laws, impossible OF assimila-
tion with our people and dangerous to our
peace and welfare; a strict and steadfast ad-
herence to the principles of civil service re-
form and thorough execution of the laws
passed for their enforcene ent, thus permitting
IN oHx- ntpfr ~ I,,ct
methods in the operation of their government;
tho guaranty to our colored citizens of all their
rights of citizenship, and their just recognition
and encouragement in all things pertaining to
that relation; firm, patient and humane In
dian policy, so that in peaceful relations with
the Government the civilization of the Indian
may be promoted, with resulting quiet and
safety to the settlers on our frontiers and the
curtailment OF public expense by the
introduction of economical methods in every
department of the Government.
The pledges contained In the platform adopt.
ed by the late Convention OF the National De-
mocracy lead to the advancement OF these OBJ.
1ects and insure good government-the aspira.
tion OF every true1 American citizen, and the
motive for every patriotic action and effort. In
the consciousness that much has been done in
the direction of good government by the pres
ent Administration, and submitting its record to
the fair inspection OF my counlrymen, 1 indorse
thO PiubipIH tuuS pTeSculcu, WlLu tHc QCler-
mlnation that, If am again called to the Chief
Magistracy, there shall be continuance Of de-
voted endcuvor to advance the interests OF the
entire country.
Our scae of Federal taxation and its conse-
quences largely engross at this time the atten-
tion OF our citizens and the people are soberly
considering the necessity OF measures of relief
Our Government is the creation OF the peo.
pie, established to carry out their designs and
accomplish their good 1t was founded on jus.
tice, and was made for u free, intelligent and
virtuous people. 1t is only useful when within
their control, and only serves them well when
regulated and guided by their constant touch
II Is free Government because IL guarantees
to every American citizen the unrestricted per-
sonal use and enjoyment OF all the reward of
his toll and OF all his income. except what may
be his fnir contribution to necessary public ex-
pensc Therefore 1t Is not only the right but
the duty, OF free people, III the enforcement
OF this guaranty. to insist that such expense
should be strictly limited to the actual pub
lie needs. 1t seems perfectly clear that
when tho Government, this instrumentaiity
created and maintained by the people to do
their bidding, turns upon them, and through
IN utter pervcrsiOn OF its powers EFFORTS
from their labor and capital tribute largely
In excess OF public necessities, the crea
turc has rebcled against the creator and the
masters are robbed by their servants. The cost
OF the Government must continue to be met BY
tarln duties collected ut our custom houses
upon imported goods nId by Internal revenue
taxes assessed upon sliriiuous N malt liquors.
tobacco and oleomarsnrine 1 suppose II Is
needless 10 explain that all these duties and as
sessments are added to the price of the articles
upon which they are level and thus become u
tax upon all those who buy these articles for
use and consumption. suppose too, It is well
understood that Il ,fIcct of this tariff taxation
is not limited to tho consumers OF imported ar.
ticles, but that the duties imposed upon such
articles permit tacorresponding a increase In price
to be LAID upon domestic productions OF the
same kind which increase, paid by all our people
As consumers OF home productions and entering
every American home, constitutes form OF
taxation as certain and us inevitable as though
the amount was annually paid into the hand OF
the taXgatherer.
These results are insepnrablo from tho plan
VIC have adopted for the collection OF our rev.
enue by the tariff duties. They are not men.
toned to discredit the system, but by the way
Of preface To the statement that every million
of dollars collected Mt our custom-houses for
iutics upon imported articles aud paid into the
public Treasury, represent many millions more
which, though never renching tho National
arc paid by our citizens Us the In
reased cost OF domestic productions resulting
rom our tarin laws.
In these circumstances, and In view OF this
necessary effect OF the operation OF our plan for
aising revenue. tho absolute duty of limiting
he rate OF tarin charges to the necessities OF
rugal and economical administration OF the
Government seems to be perfectly plain The
continuance, upon apretext OF meeting public
expenditures, of such q scale OF tarin taxation
IS draws from the substance OF tho people sum
argely in excess ofpublic needs Is surely some.