Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-10-19
Letter of Accepaance.

The following is Judge Humans let
ter of acceptance as given to the press.
The first draft of the letter was in the
Judges handwriting, and the type writer
copies showed only a few changes in pune
tuation from the original:
"Colunabus O., Oct. -, 1888 Hon.
Patrick A. Collins and Others. Commit
tee.-Gentlemen: In obedience to custom
| send you this formal acceptance of my
nomination for the office of -Presi-
dent of the United States, msde by the
National convention Of the Democratic
party at st. Louis.
when you did ne the honor to call
upon me at Columbus and officially notify
me of my nomination [ expressed to YOU
my sense Of obligation to the convention,
and stated that, although had not sought
the nomination, [ did not feel at liberty.
under the circumstances, to decline it,
thought then, as still think, that what.
ever l could properly do to promote the
reelection of President Cleveland | ought
to do. His administration has been marked
by such integrity, good sense, manly cont
age al d exalted patriotism that Just ap.
probation of these high qualities seems TO
Call for his reelection.
~ am also strongly impressed with the
belief that bis reelection would power
fully tend to strengthen that feeling of
fraternity among The American people
that is so essential to their welfare, peace
and happiness, and to the perpetuity Of
the Unlon and of our free Institutions
Il approve the platform Of the St. Louis
convention, and | cannot too strongly
express my dissent from the heretical
teachings of the monOpoIistS that the well
fare OF pe" pie can be promoted by sys-
tenn OF exoi bltant taxation far in excess of
the wants of the government.
"The idea that people can be enriched
by heavy and unnecessary taxation, that
a mans condition can be improved BY
taxing him on all he wears, on all his wife
and children wear, on ali his tools and
implements of industry, is an obvious
ahsurdity.
ITO fill the vaults of the treasury with
an Idle surplus for which the government
has no legitimate use, and to thereby de-
prlve the people OF our currency needed
for their business and daily wants, and to
create powerful and dangerous slim illus
to extravaganza and corruption in the ex-
penditures of the government, seems to
me to be policy at variance With every
sound principle of government and OF DO
lltical economy.
1.-The necessity of reducing taxation to
prevent such an accumulation of surplus
revenue, and the consequent depletion of
the circulating medium, Is SO apparent
that no party dares to deny it; but when
we come to consider the modes by which
the reduction may be made we find wide
antogonism between our party and the
monopollstic leaders of our political OPP
ponents
I'VE seek to reduce taxes upon the nee
Rgs2TJpQ nf IIfp. 70
crease them. We say, give to the masses
of the people cheap and good clothing.
cheap blankets. cheap tools, and cheap
lumber. The republicans by their plat
form and their leaders in the Senate, by
their proposed bill, say, increase tho taxes
On clothing and blankets, and thereby in
crease their cost. MAINTAIN high duty on
the tools of the farmer and mechanic, and
upon the lumber which they need for the
construction of their modest dwellings.
shops and barns, and thereby prevent their
obtaining these necessarles at reasonable
prices.
"Can any sensible man doubt as to
where be should stand in this controversy ?
Can any well-lnformed man be deceived
by the false pretense that system so I'M
reasonable and niust is for the benefit OF
the labor1ng men ?
much is said about competition of Am
erican laborers with the pauper labor OF
Europe, but does not every man who looks
around him see and know that an i'm
mense majority Of the laborers in America
are not engaged in whatare called the pro-
tected Industries ? And as to those who
are employed in such Industries, Is it not
undenlable that the duties proposed by the
Democratic measure called the Mills bill
far exceed the difference between Ameri
| can and European wages, and that. there
fore, IT it were admitted that our working
men can be protected by tariffs agains
cheaper labor, they would be fully protect
ed and more than protected by that bill
"Does not every well-informed mar
know that the increase IN price of home
manufactures produced by a high tariff
| does not go into the pockets of laboring
men, bnt only tends to swell the profits Of
| others?
ut seems to me that il the policy of tb'
| Democratic party is plainly presented, al
must understand that we seek to make tn
cost Of living less, and at the same time in
| crease the share of the laboring man in tn
benefits of national prosperity and growth
II am, very respectfully, your obedien
| servant, ALLEN G. THURMAN