The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-03
MORTON'S LITTLE EPISTLE
HE ACCEPTS THE CHICAGO PLAT
FORM AS his GREED.

rhe Old Scarecrow OF Free Trade Made
the Most Prominent Figure Of His
Pen Picture-Necessity of Reducing
the Revenue Admitted - No New
Points Made
NEW YORK, Oct. 2.-Hon. Levi P. Nor
:on's letter of acceptance of the republican
gice presidential nomination has been made
public, and is as follows:
RHINE CLIFF n. Y. Oct 2, 1883.
Hon ~ a. Estee. aud Others, Committee
GENTLEMEN: In making formal acceptance
81 my nomination as the republican candidate
sor the vice presidency l desire to express my
grateful appreciation of the confidence reposed
n me by the convention. The duties devolving
lpon the vice president as presiding officer OF
he Senate and in certain contingencies a
participant in the legislation of congress, make
4 proper that the people should know distinctly
md unreservedy the political views of the
candidate who may be presented for their
mffrages.
1t fortunately happens that this duty for
myself is easily discharged by referring 10 the
principles embodied in the resolutions unani-
nously adopted by the national convention
These resolutions, unequivocal and compre,
hensive in character, reflect my personal
convictions and have my hearty APP
prevail 1t is difficult, however, in a
ention on more than one issue, and i'll the pend
ing election every voter in the United States
clearly sees that the controlling question is
whether the protective tariff duties now
In force shall be so reduced as to
destroy their efficiency. or whether these duties
sh all 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 recognizing the necessity Of re
ilucing the revenue, declares this reduction
must not be made at the expense of these in
austries and Of American labor. The American
people have now enjoyed the protective system
Tor longer continuous period than ever before
In the history of the national government. The
result is that for more than quarter OF cent
lry they have realized a degree of industrial
AMI financial prosperity unprecedented in this
country and never equaled in any other
The pressing reason given for once again try
ing the old experiment of a revenue tariff with
out protection. as the motive or end is that the
present tariff has produced and is producing.
surplus in the treasury. But is 1t not easily
within the wisdom of congress to adjust the in
come to the national expenditure without Sacri-
fcing or even imperilng an industrial system
which has brought about untold advantages to
the entire country: Admitting that the present
tariff by the lapse of time ana large expansion
Of trade which it has stimulated, needs revs-
ion. is it not wiser and more patriotic to revise
1t with careful regard to the interests of pro-
lection than with the purpose of leSsening its
protective features?
These are some of the questions which must
be answered at the national polls in November.
For myself, as a citizen and as a candidate, l
servation, ! am an unwaverng friend Of the
protective system. In a business life now ex-
tending over forty years, have witnessed and
compared the effect upon the country of
revsnue tariff tending to free trade with
protective tariff encouraging home industries.
Under the former the development
of tho country has always been ar
rested, while under the latter It has uniformly
been promoted. To men who earn their bread
by the sweat of their brow. the difference be
tween the two systems is that Of narrowing the
chances on one hand and opportunities on the
other Free trade would open America to COM
petition with the whole multiplication re-
serves America for Americans, native and
adopted. The industrial system of the country
is as sen sitive as it's public credit. hostile
movement 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 the pressure for EN-.
ployment evidently reduces the wages of all
Rorkmen.
With the views of the convention so frankly
expressed in its resolutions upon all other ques-
tions of public interest find myself in hearty
accord.
In relation to silver and its important bearing
on the national currency well as its con-
nection with the influence on property of large
sections Of our common country; in its advo-
cacy of judiciOus settlement of the public lands
policy; in urging the necessity for better coast
interests of the country the platform but re-
peats the approved principles of the Republican
party.
The republican platform proposes distinctly
American policy-not one of narrowness and
bigotry. 1t is for the American people TO de-
velop and cultivate the continent TO which in
the providence of God they have fallen heirs.
They should adopt the policy which looks
steadily to this great END with no spirit of
narrowness toward other peoples, but in the
highest interest of all they should find their own
flag field of limitIess advance in the direction
Of the Improvement of the prosperity and hap
piness of man. Very respectfully yours,
LEVI p. MORTON.