Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-10-10
WHERE MORTON STANDS
Full Text of the Vice-Presidential
Nominees Letter.
SOUND REPUBLICAN DOCTRINE.
An Unwavering Friend of the American
Protective System-A Resolution
Formed After a Business Ex-
perience of Forty Years
Broad Platform.
SOUND REPUBLICAN DOCTRINE.

New YORK, Oct Slew P Morton's
letter OF acceptance is given to the pub
lie to-day. It is as follows:
| RHINECLIFF, N. Y, Oct 2, 1sSS-The Hon. M
NJ. Estee and Others, Comnaittee-GENTLEMEN In
making formal acceptance of my nomination as
the Republican candidate for the e-presi-
dency. desire to express my grateful apprecia-
ton OF the confidence reposed in me by the con-
VentlOn. The duties devOlviDg upon the vice
president as presiding officer of the Senate, and
IN certain contingencies participant in the leg
.slatlon OF Congress, make II proper that the
people should know distinctly and unreservedly
the political views of the candidate who may be
presented for their sutfrages 1t fortunately
happens that this duty for myself is easily dis
charged by referring to the principles embodied
in the resolutions unanimously adopted by the
national convention. These resolutions, une-
! qu1vocal and comprehensive in character, reflect
my personal convictions and have my hearty
approval.
1t is difficult. however, in political campaign,
to fix popular attention on more than one lssue
and In the pending 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 to destroy
their efficiency, or whether these duties shall be
retained, with such notifications and adjust
ments as shall better adapt them to the great
end of protecting the vast and important indus
tries OF the whole country. The Republican
platform, while recognizing the necessity of re-
duclng the revenue, declares that this reduction
must not be made at the expense Of those indus
tries and of American labor. The American
people have now enjoyed the protective system
for longer continuous period than ever before
in the history of the national government. The
result Is that tor more than quarter of q cent
ury they have realized degree of industrial
and financial prosperity unprecedented in this
country and never equaled in any other
The pressing reasOngiven for once again try
Ing the old experiment of a revenue tariff with
out protection as motive or end, is that the
present tariff has produced and is producing
surplus in the treasury. But Is it not easily with
In the wisdom of Congress TO adjust the national
income to the national expenditure without sac
rlfcing even imperiling an Industrial system
which has brought untold advantages to the en-
tire country? Admitting that the present tariff,
by lapse OF time and the large expansion OF
trade, which 1t has stimulated. needs revision, is
1t not wiser and more patriotic to revise it with
q careful regard to the interests of protection
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, citizen and a candidate, do not
hesitate to declare that from long observation
am an unwavering friend of the protective sys-
tenn. In a business lite now extending over Tor
ty years, have witnessed and compared the eff
feet upon the country ola revenue tariff tending
TO tree trade, with protective tariff encouraging
home industries. Under the former the develop
ment 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 brows, the difference between the two
systems rs that of narrowing chances on the one
hand, and expanding opportunities on the
other. Free trade would open America to COM
petition with the whole world. Protection re-
serves America Tor Americans, native ana
adopted. The industrial system of country is
as sensitive as is public credit. Hostile move
ment creates dstrust in the public mind, and
confidence, the only basis OF successful trade,
becomes impaired, nav enterprises wither IN the
bud capital grows timid. the field of labor is
contracted and the pressure for employment
inevitably reduces the wages OF all WORKING
men.
With the views of the convention so frankly
expressed in the resolutions upon all other Ques-
lions of public interest, find myself III hearty
accord In relation to silver and its i'm portant
bearing upon the national currency, as we as its
connection with and influence on the prosperity
of large sections OF our common country; IN ITS
advocacy of judicious settlement OF the public
lands policy; in urging the ne cessity Tor better
coast defenses and the duty we owe to the ship
ping interests of the country the platform but
repeats the approved principles OF the Repuo-
ican party.
The Republican platform proposes distinctly
American policy, not one o. narro wness ana
bigorry but one broad and philanthropic-a
policy that best helps the whole world by the
example of a great, growing, powerful ration,
founded upon the equality OF every man before
the law.
1t is for the American peoole to develop and
cultivate the con inent to which, in the pr0vl-
dence of God, they have fallen heirs They
should adopt policy which looks steadily to
ward other peoples but rather i'll the highest
interest of ALL they should find under their own
Tag field OF limisless advance in the direction
of the improvement, the prosperity and the hap
piness OF man. Very respectfully yours
LEVI P. MORTON.