San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-09-12
LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE.
The Leading Democratic Journal Of
Southwest Texas Calls
II sAblev

ly did not wait to write IL after CleVe-
land had presented his. The docu-
ment is the production Of a states
man. 1t shows clearly the evidences
of a judgment in which the great
questions affecting the domestic and
foreign policies of the government
have been carefully and dispassion-
ately weighed. 1t is not so lengthy a
document as the Cleveland letter, but
it deals with a much greater variety
of matters and treats them openly and
fairly, leaving no uncertainty as to
what course Mr.. Harrison will pursue
when indicted into office, as he I'M
doubtedIy will be next March.
The following is offered as synop-
sis of General Harrison's letter of &C
ceptance:
1t expresses his appreciation of the
honor conferred by the party, of the
responsibility which attaches thereto,
and cOngratulates the country upon
the clear cut declarations of the Chi
cago platform; also, that the am
biguities of democratic platforms have
been interpreted by executive acts
and messages. and by Legislative
propositions.
This it declares to be true of the
tariff question, the issue of which can
not now be obscured. 1t is not q con-
test between schedules but between
wide apart principles, and our peo-
pie are not SO dull as to neglect grave
interests involved in this open and
defiant assault upon our protective
system. AS protection is assailed as
alike unconstitutional and vicious in
principle, its advocates cannot stop
short of an elimination of the princi-
pie from our tariff laws. The Mills bill
is step in this direction, and it is
not the length of the step but its di-
rection, that should be considered 1t
is not what is particularly assaulted
under this bill but the assault upon
the principle of protection itselfwhich
alarms. The republican party holds
that a protective tariff is cOnstitu-
tional, wholesome and necessary. II
does not offer fixed schedule but a
principle and will revise the schedule
and modify rates in the interest of
home wages and domestic produc-
tons, Mr.. Harrison says:
1--WE believe it to be one of the wor-
thy objects of tariff legislation to pre-
serve the American market for Amer
lean producers and to maintain the
American scale of wages by adequate
discriminative duties upon foreign
competing products. The effect of
lower revenue is contingent and
doubtful, but not less etfectual on
American production and American
wages. Less work and low wages
must be accepted as the inevitable re-
suit of an increased offering of for
eign goods in our markets"
"Our workingmen have the settle
ment of the question in their own
hands. They now obtain higher
wages and live more comfortably than
those of any other country, and they
will make choice between substantial
advantages they have in hand and
the deceptive promises of theorizing
reformers. They will decide for them
selves and for the country whether
the protective system shall be con-
tinued or destroyed"
To reduce the surplus it is not ne
cessary to abandon the protective sys-
tenn. The methods suggested by the
republican convention are ample to
effect this. The surplus now existing
should be expended in purchasing
bonds and thus benefit the people in
stead of the banks.
Concerning the importation of
foreign contract labor, Mr.. Harrison
says that the law now in force pro-
hibiting such contracts received my
cordial support in the senate, and
such amendments as may be found
necessary effectively to deliver work
ingmen and women from this most
inequitable form of competition will
have my sincere advocacy.
He favors restricted immigration,
particularly that of paupers and
alien races and would put immigra-
ton under inspection and limitation.
Mr.. Harrison holds that the objec-
tiOns to Chinese immigration are dis
tinctive and conclusive, and are now
so generally accepted as such that the
question has passed entirely beyond
the stage of argument. The laws re-
lating to this subject he says would
if 1 should be charged with their en-
forcement, be faithfully executed.
Such amendments or further legisla-
ton as may be necessary and proper
to prevent evasiOns of the law and
stop further Chinese immigration
would also meet my approval. The
expression of the convention upon the
subject is in entire harmony with my
views.
The necessity of free elections, a free
ballot and fair count is set forth,
and anN maintenance with snch hallnt