The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-10-11
srAUNT0N. VIRGINIA. OCTOBER II, 1888.
L.etrer Of Accan.anca.

The following letter from Hon. L. p
Morton. Republican nominee for Vice
President, was given to the public Oct 2
1883:
RH1NECLlFFE, n. Y, Oct. ., 1883.
Tie Hon, ~ u. Estee and others, Com
Dt5ttee:
Gentlrmen.-In making formal accept
ance of my nomination as the Republican
candidate for the Vice Presidency [ de-
sire to express my grateful appreciation of
the confidence reposed in me by the con-
vention.
The duties devolvlHg upon the Vice
J President as presiding officer of the Sen
ate, and III certain contingencies partici
paut i'll tie legislation Of Congress. make
it proper that the people should know dis.
tinctly 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 embodied in the resolutions
unanimously adopted by he National Con-
veLtion. These resolutions. unequiyocal
and comprehensive in character, reflect
my personal convictions and have my
hearty approval.
1t is difficult. however, in a political
campaign to fix popular attention on more
than one issue, and in the pending election
every voter in the Uuited 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
shall be retained With such notifications
and adjustments as shall better adal t
them to the great end Of protecting the
vast and important industries of the whole
country,
The Republican platform, while recog-
nizing the necessity OF reduting the reve-
nue., declares 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 contin
uous period than ever before in the history
of the national government. The. result
is that for more than a quarter OF cen
fury they have realized degree of indus
trial and financial prosperity unprecedented
in this country and never equaied in any
other.
The pressing reason given for once again
trying the Old experiment OF revenue
tariff without protection as a motive or
end is that the present tariff has produced |
and is producing surplus in the Treas |
ury. But is it not easily within the wis
dom of Congress to adjust the national !
income to the national expenditure with
out sacrificing Or even lmperiliDg an in
dustrlal system which has brought untold |
advantages to the entire country? Admit. |
ting that the present tariff, by lapse of |
time and the large expansion of trade |
which 1t has stimulated, needs revision, is |
it not wiser and more patriotic to revise
it with careful regard o the interest Of |
protection than with tie purpose of less.
ening its prote ctive features?
These are some OF the questions which
must be answered at the national polls in !
November. For myself, aa citizen aud |
as a candidate, 90 not hesitate to declare
that from long observation | an an I'M
wavering friend Of the protective sy stem.
In business lie new extending over
forty years | have witnessed and compared |
the effect upon the country OF a revenue
tariff tending to Tree trade with protec
tive tariff encouraging home industries.
Under the former the development Of the |
country has always been arrested, while
under the latter it has uniformly been
promoted.
To the men who earn their bread by the
sweat Of their broNs the difference be
tween the two systems is that of narrow
ing chances Oh the one hand and expend-
ing opportunities on the other. Free trade
would open America to competition with |
the whole world. Protection reserves
America for Americans, native aud |
adopted.
The Industrial system of a country is as
sensitive as its public credit. A hostile |
movement creates DISGUST IL the public |
mind, and confidence, the only basis Of !
successful trade, becomes impaired, New !
enterprises Wither i'll the bud. capital |
grows timid, the field of labor is contract
ed, and pressure for employment inevita !
bly, reduces the wages OF all workingmen.
With the views Of the convention, 50
frankly expressed i'll its resolutions, upon
all other questions OF public interest, |
lind myself in hearty accord. In relation to
silver and its important bearing upon the
national currency, as well as its connec-
ton with and influence on the prosperity
of large sections OF our common country
in its advocacy of a judicious settlement
OF the public lands policy; in urging the
necessity for better coast dtftnses and the
duty We owe to the shipping interests Of
the country, the platform but repeats the
approved principles of the Republican par
Jy.
The Republican platform proposes a dis
tinctly American policy; not one of nai>
roWness and bgotry, but one broad and
philauI hropic "a policy that best help the
whole world by the example of Il great,
growing powerful nation. founded OH the
equality OF every man before the law
1t 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 policy which
looks steadily to this great end. With 30
spirit of nairowness toward other peoples,
but rather Ill the highest interest of all,
they should find under their own flag a
field of lnitless advance in the direction
of the Improvement, the prosperity and
the happiness Of man. Very respectfully
yours,
LEVI r, MORTON.
A large mum ter of dudes collected at an
exposed corner last Sabbath, where the
wind was high and caught colds. Each
little darling was speedily cured by Dr.
! Bull Cough Syrup.
Clifton Forge Items