Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-09-10
MR. CLEvELAND'S LETTER OF AC-
GEPTANCE

Gentlemen: 10 addressing 10 you NY ioi lnoi
scceptance of the nomination TO the presi
dencv of the United States, my thoughts
persistently dwell upon the Impressive reia'
ton of such action TO the American peopie,
whose confidence is thus invited, and TO the
political party TO which belong, lust enter
mo upon contest for continued supremacy.
The world does not afford a spectacle
more sublime than is furnished when mil
lions of free and Intelligent American clti,
zens select their Chief Magistrate, ana oiu
one of their number to find the nienest
Earthly honor and the full measure OF puDilc
duty in ready submission 10 their VIII.
II follows that candidate for this hlSh
office can never forget that when the turmoil
and the strife which attend the selection OF
ills incumbent shall be heard no more, there
must be in the quiet calm which follows
complete and solemn self conservation oy
the people's chosen President OF every tacul'
tv and endeavor to the services OF coniid'
ing aud generous nation offfeemen.
These thoughts are intensified by the light
of experience in the presidential office,
which has soberly impressed me with the
severe responsibilities which 1t imposes
while it has Quickened my love Tor Amer
can Institutions, and taught me the priceless
value of the trust CT my countrymen.
1t is Of the highest importance that those
who aG minister our govern neOt shou'u Jehi-
ously protect aud maintain the rights OF
American citZeus at bone and ABROAD, ana
should strive 10 achieve for our country her
| proper place among tie nations OF tne eatthi
but there is no people whose nome interests
are 80 great, and whose numerous otJ4c OF
domestic concern deserves so much watch
fulnees and care.
| $50 ,e,o - 81 4 :, A raoulo tiop of A anuuI
financial system suited TO our needs. thus
securing an efficient agency of national
wealth and general prosperity; the construc'
tion and equipment of means of defense to
insure our national safely and maintain the
honor beneath which such national safety
reposes; the protection of our national do
main, still stretching beyond the needs OF o
lcenturg's expansion, and its preservation ior
the settlers and the pioneer Of our marvellous
egrowtS sensible aud sincere recognition
! of the value of American labor, leading 10
the scrupuous care and just sppre citation OF
1.-The Interests of our workiugmen; the iimlla'
ton and checking of such monopoilstic tend
senCies and schemes as Interfere with the aa'
, | yantaees aud benefits which the people may
rightly claim; generous regard a2d care
for our surviving soldiers and sailors and for
the widows and orphans OF such as have
died. to the end that while the appreciation
of their services and sacrifices is qulckened,
the application Of their pension fund to im-
proper cases may be prevented protection
against serviie immigration Which lnJuri-
ously completes with CTR ia0oHug men Ia
the field OF toll and adds to our population
an element ignorant OF Our Institutions snd
laws impossibls Of assimilation with our
Deople and dangerous to our peace and wei.
| 4 fast uIb n
principles OF civil service reform and a thor.
ough execution Of the laws passed for their
enforcement, thus permitting to our people
the advantages OF business methods III the
operation of their government The guaran-
ty to our colored citizens OF all their
rights Of citiz -nehip and their just
recognition aud encouragement in ell things
pertaining to hat relation firm, patient
ard humane Indisn policy, so tbati 10 peace.
ful relations with the government the clviis
z4tion of the Iadan may be promoted, with
resulting quiet aud safety to the settlers on
our frontiers, and-the cur;aimeDt of public
expense BY the introduction of economical
methods in every department OF the govern
ment
The pledges contained in the platform
adopted by the late convention OF the ma
tiunal democracy lead TO the advancement
of these objects and insure good govern
ment-the aspiration of every true Ameri.
can citizan, and the motive for every patriot
ic action and effort. Ia TIE consciousness
thu: much has been done in the direction Of
good government by the present admins
tration and submitting its record TO the fair
inspection Of my countrymen, ncorse the
platform thus presented, with the Geterm-
nation that, if | am again called to The chiel
msgistracy, there shall be continuance o:
devoted endeavor to advance the interests OF
the entire country.
Our scale o. federal taxation aud its con-
sequences largely engros5 at this time the
attention of our citiZ ans, and the people are
sobcry considering the necessity of mea-
sures of relief Our government is the crea.
ton of the people, established to carry out
their designs ami accomplish their good. 1t
was founded on Justice, and was made for a
free, intelligent and virtuous people. 1t is
ONLY useful when within their control, and
only serves them we'll when regulated and
guided By their constant touch 1t is free
government because it guarantees to every
American citizen the unrestricted personal
usa and enjoyment OF all the reward of his
toll aud of sl his income, except what may
be his fair contribution to necessary public
expense Therefore it is not only the right,
but tie duty Of. free people, in the enforce
meut ofthis guaranty, to insist that such ex.
pense should be strictly limited to the actual
public needs. 1t seems perfectly clear that
when the government. this instrumentality
created and maintained by the people to do
their bidding ,n-ns upon them, and through
sn utter perversion of its powers EFFORTS
from their labor and capital tribute largely
in excess of public necessities, the creature
has rebeled against ecreator and The mas
tiers are robbed by their servants.
The cost of the government must continue
to be met by tariff duties collected at our
custom-houses upon Imported goods, and by
internal revenue taxes assessed upon spirit
uous and NAL. liquors, tobacco and oleomar-
gsrine l suppose it is needless to explain
that all these duties and assessments are ad-
ded to the price of the articles upon which
! -. l.