The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-10-03
MORTON'S LETTER.
The Tariff Opinions of a
Business Man.
Extraordinary Features Of the Indi-
ana Campaign-It I. stin Heating
Thurman Thinks II Unnecessary
to Write n Lester-Mr. Blaine
Enters the Michigan Campaign.

Levi P. Aorton's letter of acceptance
of the nomination for yice-presidens
RHfyEEEeK, y. ". Oct. =.
Hon N. VI. Estee and Others, Com
mittee: GcRtlemea-In making a for
NAL acceptance OF my nomination as
Republican candidate for yiee-presi-
dent, | desire to express my grateful
appreciation of the confidence reposei
in me by the convention. The duties
devolsing upon the vice-president as
presiding officer Of the senate. and in
certain contingencies participant in
the legislation of congress, make il
proper that people should know dis
tinciiy and unreservedly the political
views of the candidate who may be
presented for their suffrage 1t for
tunatciy happens that this duty for
myself is easily discharged by refer
ring TO the principles embodied in the
resolutions unanimously adopted by
the national convention. These reso-
lutions, unequiyocal and conprehen-
siye in character, reflect my personal
convictions and have my hearty ap-
pfovai
1t i difficult. however, in political
campaign, 20 fix popular attention on
more than one Issue, and in the pend
ing election every voter 10 the United
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 adapt them
to the great end OF protecting the vast
and important industries of the whole
country. The Republican platform.
while recognizing the necessity of
reducing the revenue, declares that
this reduction must not be made at
the expense OF these industries. and of
American labor. The American peo-
Pile have now enjoyed the protective
system for Il longer continuous period
than ever before in the history OF the
nation. or government The result is
that for more than quarter of q cen
tury they have realized degree of
industrial and financial prosperity un-
precedented in this country. ami never
equaled in any other.
The present reason given for once
again trying the experiment OF revenue
tariff without protection as q motive
or end. is that the present tariff has
produced and is producing surplus
in the treasury, but is it not easily
within the wisdom of congress TO adj
Just the national income To the ma
tional expenditures without sacrificing
or even imperiling the industrial
system which has brought untold ad-
vantages TO the entire countryg Adj
mitting that the present tariff, by the
lapse OF tine and large expansions of
trade which il has stimulated. needs
revision, l. il not wiser and more
patriotic to revise il with regard TO the
interests OF protection than with the
purpose OF iessening its protective
features? These are some of the
questions which must be answered at
the national polls in November. For
myself, as citizen and as candidate,
| do not hesitate % q clare that from
long observation ! am an unwayering
friend of the protective system.
In Il business life now extending over
10 years, ! have witnessed and COM
pared the effect upon he country of 4
revenue tariff tending to free trade
with a protective tariff encouraging
home industries Under the former,
the development Of the country has
always been arrested, while under the
latter il has uniformly been promoted
by men who earn their bread by the
sweat of their brows. The difference
between the systems Is that of narrew-
ing the chances on the one hand and
extending the opportunities on the
other. Free trade would open Ameri-
ca TO competition with the whole
world. Protection reserves America
for the Americans, native and adopted.
The industrial system of the country
is as sensitive as j. the public credit
A hostile movement creates distrust in
the public mind, and confidence, the
only basis of successful trade, becomes
impaired: new enterprises wither in
the bud; capital grows tiinid, the field
OF labor contracted, and the pressure
for employment inevitably reduces the
wages OF the workingmen.
With the views OF the convention 80
frankly express sed in its resolutions
upon an other questions of public in
terest. find myself in hearty accord.
In relation 10 silver and its important
bearing upon the national currency,
as well as its connection with and in
fiuence upon the prosperity of large
sections of our common country; in
lts d1NuCatN tl IuAlitoN7 ctbtiSihSbt
OF the public lands. in it, policy OF
urging the necessity for better coast
deienses and the duty we owe the
shipping interests OF the country, the
platform bnt repeats the approved
principles OF the Repg liean party.
The Republican platform proposes
distinctly American policy not one
Of narrowness and bigotry, but cne oi
broad and philanthrephic policy
that best helps the whole world by the
exhibit oi great, growing, powerful
nation, iounuct upon the equality uf
every man before the sSw. it Is iol
the American people 10 develop and
cultivate the continent TO which, in
the providence OF God, theg have
fallen heir They should adopt a
policv which looks sieaaiiy Ia thi.
great end. With no spirit OF narrow
ness toward other people, sat rather
the highe-t interest ol all, they should
find under their own flag a tieid Of
Hmitless advance in the direction uf
tie Improvement. prosperity and hap
rineSs oi man. Very respectfully
80