Omaha daily bee., 1888-10-03
MORTON FORMALLY ACCEPTS.
The Republican Vice Presidential
Candidate Defines His Position.
PROTECTION VERSUS FREE TRADE
The Leading Issues of the Campaign
Discussed From a Business
Mans Standpoint-Tcxt
of the Letter.
N5orton's Letter.

New YORK, Oct 2-Thc following IS Levi
p. Morton's letter accepting the nomination
for vice president:
RHINEBECK, N Y, Oct. 2.-To the Hon. NJ
Nj. Estee and others, .ttee-Gcntle-
men: In making a formal acceptance OF my
nomination as the republican ocandldate for
the vice-presdency desire to express my
grateful appreciation of the confidence re-
posed in me by the convention.
The'dutes edevolvng upon the wee pres
ident as presiding officer of the senate, and
in certain contingencies participant in the
legislation of congress, make 1t proper that
the people should know distinctly and unrc-
servedly the political views of the candidate
who may be presented for their suffragCs.
1t fortunately happens that this duty for my
self is easily discharged by referring to the
principles embodied in the resolutions unan-
mously adopted by the national convention.
These resolutions, uneQuivocal and cOmpre-
hensivc in character, reflect my personal con-
viction and have my hearty approval. II is
different, however, IN political campaign to
fix popular attention on more
than one issue, 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 as 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 in
dustries of the whole country.
The republican PLATFORM while recognizing
the necessity of reducing the revenue, de-
cares that this reduction must not be made
at the expense of these industries and of
American labor. The American people have
now enjoyed protective system for longer
continuous period than ever before in the
history Of the national government. The
result is that for more than a quarter of a
century they have realized degree Of indus
trial and financial prosperity unprecedented
in this country and never cqualled
IN any other. The pressing reason given for
once again trying the old experiment of
revenue tariff without protection as motive
or end is that the present tariff has produced,
and is producing, surplus in the treasury,
but it is not easily within the wisdom Of con-
gress to adjust the income to the national eX-
penditure without sacrificing or even mperil-
ing the industrial system which has brought
untold advantages to the country.
Admitting that the present tariff, by the
lapse of time and large expansion of trade
which it has stimulated, needs revision, is it
not wiser and more patriotic to revise it with
a careful regard to the interests of protection
than with the purpose of lessening its pro-
tectve features! These are some of the
questions which must be answered at the
national polls in November For myself, as
a citizen and as a candidate, l do not hesitate
to declare that from long observation
l am an unwavering friend of the
protective system. In business life now
extending for over forty years, have wit
country of revenue tariff tending to free
trade with a protective tariff encouraging
home industries Under the former the de-
velopment of the country has always been
arrested while under the latter it has uni
formly been promoted. To men who earn
their bread by the sweat Of their brows the
difference between the two systems is that of
narrowing the chances on one hand and ex-
pending opportunities on the other. Free
trade would open America to competition
wit tho IyhOlo world prOfpption
America for Americans, native and adopted.
The industrial system Of the country is as
sensitive as its public credit. A hostile
movement creates distrust on the public
mind, and confidence, the only basis of sue
cessful trade, becomes impaired. New
enterprises wither in the bud; capital
grows timld; the field Of labor is contracted,
and the pressure for employment immcdi-
| ately reduces the wages of all workingmen.
With the views OF the convention so frank
| ly expressed in its resolutions upon all other
| questions of public interest / find myself in
| hearty accord. In relation to silver and its
| important bearing upon national currency,
| as we'll as it's connection with and influence
on the prosperity of large sections of our
common country; in its advocacy of a judi
| cious settlement of the public lands policy !;
| in urging the necessity for better coast de-
fenses and the duty we owe to the shipping
| interests of the country, the platform but
repeats the approved principles of
the republican party. The repub-
| lican platform proposes a distinctly
| American policy; not one of narrowness and
bigotry, but one broad and phlanthropic
| policy that best helps the whole world by
| the example of great, growing and power
full nation, founded upon the equality of
| every man before the law.
| 1t is for the American people to develop
| 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 narrow
ness toward other people, but rather in the
| highest interest of all, they should find
under their own flag field of limitess ad.
| vancement in the direction of the improve
ment, prosperity, and happiness of man.
| Very respectfully yours,
| LEVI L. MORTON.