The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-09-15
cleveland's Letter of Acceptance

Cleveland's Letter of Acceptance.
Leading Questions of the Day Discussed
Taxation is the Great IssMe-He Denies
That Reduction Means Free 1rade-Recog-
ai7ing tss Needs of Lddor-" Unnecessary
Taration is Unjust Taxation n''-Idle Money
ia the Treasury.
WASHINGTON, September sth, 1SSS.-Hon.
Patrick A. Collins and others, committee,
&c-Gentlemen In addressing to you my
formal acceptance of the nomination to the
Presidency of the United States, my thoughts
persistently dwell upon the impressive rela-
ton 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 does not afford spectacle more
sublime than is furnished when millions OF
free 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 sub
mission to their will,
1t follows that a candidate for this high
office can never forget that when the turmoil
and the strife which attend the selection of its
incumbent shall be heard no more, there must
be in the quiet calm which follows complete
and solemn self-consecration by the people S
chosen President of every faculty and en-
deavor to the service of confding and gen.
erous nation of freemen.
These thoughts ere intensified by the light
of my experience in the Presidential Office,
which has soberly impressed me with the Sc
we're responsibilities which it imposes, while
it has quickened my love for American insti-
tutions, and taught me the priceless value OF
the trust of my countrymen.
1t is of the highest importance that those
who administer our government should ieal-
ously protect and maintain the rights OF
American citizens at 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 watchfnl-
ness and care.
HOME INTERESTS THAT DEMAND CARE.
Among these are the regulation of sound
financial 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 be-
meath which such national safety reposesi the
protection of our national domain, still
stretching beyond the needs of century
expansion, and its preservation for the settler
and the pioneer of our marvellous growth; a
sensible and sincere recognition of the value of
American labor, leading to the scrupulous
care and just appreciation of the interests OF
our workingmen; the limitation and checking
of such monopolstic tendencies and schemes
as interfere with the advantages and benefits
which the people may rightly claim; generous
regard and 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
quickened, the application of their pension
fund to improper cases may be prevented;
protection against serVile immigration which
injuriously competes with our laboring men
in the field of toll, and adds to our population
an element ignorant of our institutions and
laws, impossible of assimilation with our
people and dangerous to our peace and well
fare; strict and steadfast adherence to the
principles of civil service reform and thor
ongh execution of the laws passed for their
enforcement, thus permitting to our people
the advantages of business methods in the
operation of their government; the guaranty
to our colored citizens of all their rights of
citizenship, and their just recognition and
encouragementin all things pertaining to that
relation; firm, patient and humane Indian
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 cur
tailment of public expense by the introduction
of economical methods in every department
of the government.
THE ST. LOUIS PLATFORM ENDORSED.
The pledges contained in the platform
adopted by the late convention Of the national
Democracy lead to the advancement of these
objects and insure good government-the
aspiration of every true 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 present administration, and submitting
its record to the fair inspection of my coun-
trymen, Endorse the platform thus presented,
with the determination that, if am again
called to the chief magistraey, there shall be
continuance of devoted endeavor to advance
the interests of the entire country.
THE QUESTION OF TAXATION.
Our scale of federal taxation and its conse-
quences largely engross at this time the atten-
ton of our citizens, and the peopleare soberly
considering the necessity of measures of relief.
Our government is the creation of the people,
established to carry out their designs and
accomplish their good. 1t was founded on
justice, and was made for a free, intelligent
and virtuous people. Iti only useful when
within their control, and only serves them
well when regulated and guided by their
constant touch. It is free government be-
cause it guarantees to every American citizen
the unrestricted personal use and enjoyment
Of all the reward of his toll and of all his
4 &.