The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-10-03
IN SYMPATHY WITH THE PLATFORM.
Mr.. Morton's Letter Accepting the
Nomination for Vice President.
The Principle of Protection Given an
Hearty Endorsement.
Tariff Views Formed In Forty Years
Of Business Life.

NEW YORK, Oct. 2.-HOn. Levi z. Morton
has written the following letter formally ac-
eepting the Republican nomination for Vice
President:
RHINEcLuF, N. r., Oct 2.
To Hon. M. NJ. Estee and Others, Commit
tee:
Gentlemen-In making my formal accept
ance OF the nomination as the Republican can
Gidate for Vice President, desire TO express
my grateful appreciation Of the confidence
reposed In me by the convention. The du-
Ties deyolying upon the Vice President as
presiding officer Of the Senate and, In certain
contingencies, as participant in legislation
by Congress, make 1t proper that the people
should know distinctly and unreseryedly the
political views Of the candidate who may be
presented for their suffrages. 1t fortunately
happens that this duty for myself is easily
discharged by referring to the principles em-
bodied in the resolutions unanimously adopt
ed by the National Convention.
These resolutions, unequiyocal and com
prehensive In character, reflect my personal
convictions and have my hearty approval.
1t is difficult. however, in a 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 contro ling question Is whether the pro-
tective tariff duties, now IN force, shall be so
reduced as to destroy their efficiency, or
whether these duties shall be retained with
such mOdlhcations and adjustments as shall
peter adapt them 10 the great end Of pro-
.sctlhg Lhe vast and Important Industries Of
the whole country.
The Republican platform, while recogniz-
ing tine necessity Of reducing the revenue.
declares that this reduction must not be
made at the expense Of these industries and
american labor. The American people have
now enjoyed the protective system for a l0n-
ger continuous period than ever before In
the history OF the national government. The
result Is that for more than quarter Of a
century they have realized a degree OF in
dustrial and financial prosperity unprece-
dented In this country and never equalled In
any other
The pressing reason given for once again
trying the experiment Of a revenue tariff
without protection as motive or end, Is
that the present tariff has produced and Is
producing surplus In the treasury. But Is
II not easily within the wisdom Of Congress
TO adjust the national income 10 the national
expenditure without sacrificing, or even Inn
perllling an Industrial system which has
brought untold advantages TO the entire
country. Admitting that the present tariff
Dy lapse Of time and the large expansion Of
trade which IL has stimulated, needs revising,
Is II not wiser and more patriotic TO revise u
with careful regard to the interest Of pro-
its protective features These are ar oTes some of
the questions which must be answered at the
polls In November. For myself, as a eiti-
zen and as candidate, do not hesitate to
declare that, from long observation, 1 am an
unwavering friend Of the protective system.
In business life now extending over forty
years, have witnessed and compared the
effects upon the country Of revenue tariff
lending TO free trade, with protective tariff
encouraging home industries Under the
former, the development Of the country has
always been arrested, while under the latter
IL mas uniformly been promoted. To men
who earn their bread by the sweat Of their
Drows, the difference between the two sys-
tens Is tnat Of narrowing changes on the one
hand and expanding opportunities on the
other. Free trade would open America 10
competition with the whole world. PrOtec-
ton reserves America for Americans, native
and adopted. The Industrial system of a
country Is as sensitive as its public credit. A
hostile movement creates distrust In the
public mind and confidence, the only basis Of
successful trade, becomes impaired. New
enterprises wlther in the bud and capital
grows timid. The field Of labor Is contracted
and the pressure for employment inevitably
reduces the wages Of all working men.
VITA the views OF the convention so frankly
expressed In Its resolutions upon all the other
questions OF public interest, find myself In
ncdIty dccofu. In relation 10 silver ana It's
important bearings upon the national cur
rency, as well as In connection with its infu-
ence on the prosperity Of large sections Of
our common country; In its advocacy Of a
ludicious settlement Of public lands policy;
In urging the necessity for better coast de-
fences and the duty we owe to the shipping
interests Of the country, the platform but
repeats the approved principles Of the Re-
publican party. The Republican platform
proposes distinctly American policy, not
one OF narr0wness and blgotry, but one
broad and philanthropical; policy that best
helps the whole world by an example OF a
great, growing and powerful nation, found
ed on equality TO every man before the law.
IL Is for the American people to develop and
cultivate the continent 10 which, in the prov
idence OF God, they have fallen heirs. They
should adopt that policy which looks steadf-
ly to this grert end. With no spirit Of mar
rowness toward other peoples, but rather In
the highest interest Of all. they should find
under their own flag a field Of llmitless ad-
vance In the direction Of the Improvement.
prosperity and happiness Of man.
Very respectfully yours,
LEVI p. MORTON