The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-09-13
CLEVELAND ACCEPTS.
His Formal Letter at Last.

The formal letter of President Cleveland ac-
cepting his denomination at st. Louis for re-
election was given to the press last Sunday,
aud is dated Sept. s.
1t is lengthy, making nearly five columns of
print and after stating that it is '' my formal
acceptance of the nomination TO the Presi-
dency," he proceeds at length to describe how
deeply he feels the responsibilities imposed
upon a man selected by the people to be PTesi-
dent; he tells of how his experience of those
responsibilities has guickened his love for
American institutions, and taught him " the
priceless value of the trust of my eountrymen."
While it is of the highest Importance" he
says, that the rights of all American citizens at
| home and abroad should be protected and
maintained, there are home interests that de-
serve watchfulness and care"
Among these interests are q" the regulation Of
sound financial system suited to our needs,
thus securing an efficient agency of National
wealth and general prosperity the constrUc-
ton and equipment Of means of defense to in
sure our National safety and maintain the
/ honor beneath which such National safety re-
poses; the protection of our National domain,
still stretching beyond the needs Of a 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 serupulous care
! and just appreciation Of the interests Of our
!
] such monopolistic tendencies and schemes as
| interfere with the advantages and benefits
which the people may rightly claim a gener-
| Gus regard and care for our surviving soldiers
and sailors, and for the widows aud orphans
/ Of such as have died, TO the end that
while the appreciation Of their services
| and sacrifices is quicsened the applica-
tion of their pension fund to improper cases
may be prevented; protection against seryile
| immigration which iuiuricusly completes with
/ our laboring men in the field of toll and adds
to our population an element ignorant Of our
! institutions and laws, impossible Of assimila-
! ton with our people and dangerous to our peace
and welfare; strict and steadfast adherence
to the principles of eiyil-serVice reform and a
thorough execution of the laws passed for their
enforcement, thus permitting to our people the
advantages of business methods in the opera
ton of their Government; the guaranty to OuI
colored citizens of all their rights of citizen
ship, and their just recognition and encourage
ment in all things pertaining to that relation
firm, patient and humane Indian policy, sc
I that in peaceful relations with the Government
the civilization of the Indian may be promot-
ed, with resulting quiet and safety TO the set
tiers on our frontiers, and the curtailment oil
public expense by the introduction of ecOnomi.
cal methods in every department Of the Gov.
| eminent"
These will be attained, he thinks, By the
pleuBeS III tue 81. LOUIS PLATFORM ana IN the
consciousness that much good has been dOue by
his Administration, and he submits his record
to the country; he indorses the platform, with
the promise that he will continue to advance
the interests of the entire country.
Taking up the tariff issue, that part of the
letter is a condensed repetition of his tariff
message to Congress last December, and all the
arguments presented are the same in effect
He continues: "The cost of the Government
must continue to be met by tariff duties col
lected at our custom houses upon imported
goods, and by internal-revenue taxes assessed
upon spirituous and malt liquors, tobacco anC
Oleomargarine."
lie makes no proposition to reduce the sur
plus, which he states as being more than $3.50,
000, 600 which he holds to be a proof of unius
taxation in excess of the necessities of the Gov
erment, but says: Divers plans have beer
suggested for the return of this accumulated
surplus to the people and the channals of trade
Some OF these devices are at variance with al
rules of good finance; some are delusiYe, SOM
are absurd, and some betray by their rockies
extravaganza the demoralZng influence of
great surplus of public money upon the judg
ment of individuals While such efforts shoult
be made as are consistent with public duty anC
sanctioned by sound Judgment to avoid DANCE
by the useful disposition of the surplus nov
remaining in the Treasury, it is evident that
its distribution were accomplished another &C
cumlatiOn would soon takes its place, if tn
constant flow of redundant income was no
checked at its source by q reform in our presen
tariff laws"
The rest of the letter treats of trusts an
free tobacco and whisky" but he prudentl
sticks to the st. Louis platform in his utter
ances.