Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-10-04
MORTONS LETTER.
The Republican Vice Presidential
Candidate Accepts.
his POLITICAL OPINIONS.
He Agrees Perfectly with the Views Set
Forth In the Chicago Platform and
Considers Protection Necessary
tor the Country's Good.

NEW YoRE, Oct. a.-Hon. L. p. Morton
has written the following letter Of accept
ance:
RHINEcrLFF, N. ", Oct. . 1883
The Hon. M. NJ. Estee and others, Commit
tee:
GENTLEMEN-In making formal accept
ance OF my nomination rs the Republican
candidate for the vice presidency desire to
express my grateful appreciation OF the con-
fidence reposed in me by the convention.
The duties devolving on the vice president
as presiding officer of the senate, and in GER
tain contingencies participant in the legis-
lation of congress- make it proper that the
people should know distinctly and unrc-
servedly the political views OF ths candidates
who may be presented for their suffrages.
1t fortunately happens that this duty for
myself is easily discharged by referring to
the principles embodied in the resolutions
unanimously adopted by the national con-
vention. These resolutions, unequvocal and
comprehensive in character, reflect my per-
sonal convictions and have my hearty APP
proval.
1t is difficult, however, in political cam
paign to fix popular attention ON 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 30
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 pro-
tccting the vast and important industries OF
the whole country.
The Republican platform, while recognize
ing 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
The American people have now enjoyed
the protective system for longer continuous
period than ever before i'm the history of the
national government. The result is that for
more than quarter of a century they have
realized degree of industrial and financial
prosperity unprecedented in this country,
and never equaled in any other.
The pressing reason given for once again
trying the old experiment of a revenue tariff
without protection as motive or end is that
the present tariff has produced, and Is pro-
ducing, surplus in the treasury. But Is it
not easily within the wisdom of congress to
adjust the national income to the national
expenditure without sacrificing or even inn
pcriling an industrial system which has
brought untold advantages to the entire
countryl
Admitting that the present tariff, by lapse
of time and the large expansion of trade
which it has stimulated, needs revision, Is 1t
not wiser and more patriotic to revise 1t with
a careful regard to the interest of protection
than with the purpose of lessenng its pro-
tective featuress
These are some of the questions which must
be answered at the national polls in Novem-
ber For myself, as a citizen and as a candi-
date, do not hesitate to declare that from
long observation am an unwavering friend
of the protective system. In business life
now extending over forty years / have wit
messed and compared the effect upon the
country of a revenue tariff tending to free
trade with a protectivs tariff encouraging
home industries. Under the former the de-
velopment of the country has always been
arrested, while under the latter IL has uni
formly been promoted.
To the men who earn their bread by the
sweat of their brows the difference between
the two systems is that of narrowing chances
OH the one hand and expanding opportunities
on the other. Free trade would open America
to competition with the whole world Pro-
lection reserves America for Americans,
native and adopted
The industrial system of country Ii as
sensitive as its public credit. A hostile move
ment creates distrust in the public mind: and
confidence, the only basis of successful trade,
becomes impaired New enterprises wither
in the bud, capital grows timid, the field of
labor is contracted, and pressure for employ
ment inevitably reduces the wages Of all
workingmen.
With the views of the convention, so frankly
expressed in its resolutions upon all other
questions of public interest, find myself in
hearty accord. In relation to silver and its
important bearing upon the national cur
rency, as well as its connection with and In
fuence on the prosperity Of large sections Of
our common country; in it's advocacy of q
judicious settlement OF the public lands
policy; in urging the necessity for better
coast defenses and the duty we owe to the
shipping interests Of the country, the plat
form but repeats the approved principles Of
the Republican party.
The Republican platform proposes q dis
tinctly American party. not one Of narrow
ness and bigotry, but one broad and philan-
thropic-a policy that best helps the whole
world by the example of a great, growing.
powerful nation founded on the equality OF
every man before the law.
It 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 a policy which looks
steadily to this great end With no spirit of
narrowness toward other peoples, but rather
in the highest interest of all, they should find
under their own flag a field Of limitless ad-
vance in the direction Of the improvement.
the prosperity and the happiness Of man.
Very respectfully yours,
LEVI p MORTON