Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-11-05
BECAUSE WHY.
Senator EGmunds' Thirteen Reasons TOR
Favoring Harrison.

NEW YORK, October 5lst- The following letter
from Sena or George NJ. Edmunds to Charles A.
Dana is published in the Kew York Stn. The
letter, which explains itself, is given in full
WASHINGTON, October 50, 1883.
Dear Mr.. DG1lG: l observe in the Sun of the
2Sth q statement with conspicuous headlines to
the effect that am not taking speech making
part in the present campaign, and that atten-
ton has been called to the fact. The matter is
so stated as 10 permit the inference that / am
not earnestly interested in the election of Gen
eral Harrison. beg you, as afair-minded lover
of fair play and the editor of the principal really
Democratic newspaper in the country, to allow
me TO Iepel, through your columns any such
imputations l am and have been ever since
the nomination of General Harrison most earn
estly and according to my strength and capsc-
ity actively in favor of his election.
First-Because personally know him to be of
great abilities, of pure and upright life, and
most vigorous and aggressive uprightness and
independence, both as a man and as Republ-
can, snd therefore believe he will administer
the Government in the full vigor of the princi-
pies of the Republican party.
Second-He was gallant soldier, his sword
flashing in the front of battle. and in the
gloomy rear of retreat was heard his voice of
constancy and courage
Third-He is of the people and for the peo
plea defender of justice and Of equal rights
for all.
Fourth-He is sincere believer in the en-
ployment of American labor to supply Amer
lean productions for American consumption.
Fifth-He is not victim OF the delusion that
affects the present Administration-that Gus
toms duties are tax on the consumers of i'm
ported goods, and he knows that the official and
printed records of the Government show, as in
the case of tea ana coffee, put Oh the free list
some years ago-aud in the case of the so-called
reciprocity with Canada, that the duties taken
off such importations did not benefit our people
by diminishing the price they paid for their
products, but did benefit the foreigner only.
Sixth-He knows that foreign made articles
from shoes and pegs of shoes to LOGON tives
and ships, used in our country, just that much
deprives the American worker of the chance to
earn bread for his family.
Seventh-He knows that a nation is only g.
large family, the members of which are bound
to help each other by united and reciprocal
labor.
Eighth-He knows, therefore, that the declar-
alton of the President in his message to Con-
gress, that customs duties are purely and wholly
a tax, is grave error, and that TO give Ameri-
can labor the opportunity to win bread, Ameri
cans must as brothers in one family, employ
the labor and use the products OF each other.
Ninth-He will not as the present Administra-
ton has done, enter into discussions and agree
with England in regard to so-caled free trade
with Canada and the putting of Americans on
a worse footing in British ports thau the British
have in their own.
Tenth-Re viii rot even for one day tolerate
the official presence of a foreign Minister, from
whatever country he comes who undertakes to
interfere in our elections, even il that Minister
thinks that his election or his party will work
to the advantage of that Minister'S country,
as the present Administration has done
ElSVclLn--he Will not make DIS professions OF
fidelity to the principles Of true civil service re.
form cover for receiving and refusing 10 make
| public or even refusing to communicate to the
Senate afhdavits or other testimony (often per
| jured) against any holder of any office as the
| present Administration has always done
Twelfth-He will not select TO execute offices
| of public trust larger proportion of criminal
disreputable and incompetent persons than
| have been so selected by all previous Admins
| trations as this one has done.
Thirteenth He will not point out to his
! countrymen the danger to free elections and to
really democratic governments dangerous as it
really isl of the President being candidate for
reelection, on account of his immense power of
patronage, aud then permit all his chief officers
| and their subordinates to become offensive par
| tisans and exhibit peTnicious activity in pro-
noting his reelection; nor will he allow heavy
| levies of money to be made upon all, even the
| humblest servants of the Government, to accom-
| plish his success, as the present Administration
| has done, and is doing.
| These dear Ar. Dana, are some-by no means
| all-of the grounds on which, with all my heart,
| l desire the election of General Harrison, and
may not be sure but your sense OF fair play,
| since you have made me conspicuous in the
matter will lead you to give this letter the same
! prominence in your paper that you gave to the
| inputation to which reply? Yours truly.
! GEORGE +. EDMuSDS.
To Charles A Dana, Esq, Editor of the New
/ York SIN