The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-10-05
M0RTON'S ACCEPTANCE.
The Republican Vice Presiden,
tial Candidate Grateful for
the Honor Done Him.
The Platform Adopted at the Chicago
Convention Defines His Convic.
tions on Public Questions.
The Tariff Should be Adjusted With .
View to Protection Rather Than
to the Revenue.

~ 1sA ~ 6AO&s0 wv <AsVO6eV0 WAWs -
View to Protection Rather Than
to the Revenue.
NEW YORK, Oct. 8.-Hon. Levi P. Nor
ton has written the following letter 81
acceptance:
RHINEotuF, N. Y, Oct. O. 1883,
The Hon. M. NJ. Estee and others, Com
mittee:
Gentlemen-In making formal accept
ance of my nomination ss the Rep1bii-
can candidate for the vice presidency, !
desire to express my grateful appreois-
ton OF the confidence reposed upon me
by the convention, The duties devoling
on the vice president as the presiding
tingencies participant In the legislation
Of congress, make It proper that the peo-
pie should know distinctly and unre-
servedly the political views Of the candi-
date who may be presented for their SUI
frages. 1t fortunately happens that this
duty for myself is easily discharged by
referring to the principles embodied In
the resolutions unanimously adopted by
the national convention. These resolu-
tions, unequivocal and comprehensive In
character, reflect my personal convic-
tions and have my hearty approval It
Is difficult, however, In q political cam
paign to fix popular attention on more
than enc issue, and In the pending cleo
ton every voter in the United States
clearly sees that the controlling question
Is whether the protective tariff duties
now in force shall be 80 reduced as 70 de-
stroy their efficiency or whether these
duties shall be retained with such modi-
fications 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 recog-
nizing the necessity Of reducing the reve-
nue., declares that this reduction must
not be made at the expense of these in
dustries and of American labor.
The American people have now en-
ioyed the protective system for longer
continuous period than ever before in the
history Of the national government The
result Is that for more than quarter Of
q century they have realized degree of
industrial and financial prosperity UMPIRE
cedented in this country and never
equalled In any other.
The pressing reason for once again try
ing the old experiment of q revenue tari9
without protection as q motive or end 70
that the present tariff has produced, and
Is producing, surplus in the treasury.
But is it not easily within the wisdom Of
congress to adjust the national income to
the national expenditure without sacri-
hcing or even imperiling an industrial
system which has brought untold advan-
tages to the entire country.
Admitting that the present tariff by
lapse of time and the large expansion Of
trade which it las stimulated, needs re-
vision, is it not wiser and more patriotic
to revise 1t with careful regard to the
interest of protection than with the pur-
pose of lessening its protective featuresi
These are some of the questions which
must be answered at the national polls IN
November. For myself, as a citizen and
as candidate, do not hesitate to de-
clare that from long observation
am an unwavering friend of the
protective system. In q business life
now extending over forty years have
witnessed and compared the effect upon
the country of revenue tariff tending to
tree trade, with protective tariff encour-
aging home industries. Under the for
mer 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 brow the difference be-
tween the two systems is that OF narrow
ing chances on the one hand and expand
ing opportunities on the other. Free
trade would open America to competition
with the whole world. Protection 70
serves America for Americans, native and
adopted.
The Industrial system of country Is
as sensitive as its public credit. A hos
tile movement creates distrust in the
public mind and confidence, the only
basis of successful trade, becomes i'm
paired. New enterprises wither in the
bud, capital grows timid, the field of La
Dor is contracted and pressure for en-
ployment inevitably reduces the wages
Of all workingmen. With the views of
the convention so frankly expressed In
its resolutions upon all other questions of
public interest find myself in hearty &C.
cord. In relation to silver and its import
ant bearing upon the national cur
rency, as well as its con-
nection with, and influence on the
prosperity of large sections Of our COM
uOu country, III lU6 duNOCdCy VI JUL
cious settlement of the public lands pol
icy; in urging the necessity for better
coast defenses and the duty we owe to
the shipping interests of the country, the
platform but repeats the approved prin-
ciples Of the Republican party.
The Republican platform proposes Q
distinctly American policy; not one of
narrowness and bigotry, but one broad
and philanthropic-a policy that best
helps the whole world by the example Of
great, growing, powerful nation,
founded on the equality Of every man be-
fore the law.
It is for the American people to de-
velop 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 no spirit of narrowness
toward other peoples, but rathersin the
highest interest of all, they should find
under their own flag a field Of limitless
advance in the direction of improvement,
the prosperity and the happiness of man.
Very respectfully yours,
LEVI p. MORTON.