The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-10

An Eiabor alton OF the Free-wool Message
of December Last.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal,
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9.-Presidsnt Cleylands
letter Of acceptance, which was given to the
press tonight, proves an absolute disappoint-
ment to all il Washington who have read it.
While its length exceeds anticipation, it has a
lack Of spirit, and goes over the ground he has
q number of times covered in messages to Con-
gress in o way that was not expected. Much 20
the surprise Of all who have read the letter, it
contains no reference to the declaration made
by Grover Cleveland, four years ago, that a
President shonld not accept a second term.
The document 10 nothing short Of rehash OF
the free-wool message and tho common
place prattle he has 30 frequently in
dulged in when be has sent various
messages to Congress. The very slight and
mild reference he makes to the international
issue he has attempted to force with Canada is
regarded as an Acknowledgement that his effort
in that direction has failed Beyond any quss-
ton OF doubt he regards the tariff issue the
leading one this campaign. and the Republicans
who have examined the letter tonight are de-
LIGHTED that he is willing to place the issue there
The declarations he has made in regard TO pro-
lection for American labor aud American indus
tries are impracticsble, as has been his whole
course OF administration. 1t Is simply q lot
of platitudes, and the falsetto voice of the mug
wump and the hyb brid politician is read plainly
between every line One of the first features
Of the letter pointed out by Republicans and
discovered by Democrats is the Presidents de-
NAL that be- is a fres-trader. wherein he states
that i've have entered upon no crusade OF free
trade" This he declares in connection with the
positive statement that the way to reform the
tariff is by freeing from duty the imported raw
materials which. by the employment Of labor,
are used In our homo manufactures. II the
placing OF articles produced in this
country upon the free list does not
constitute free trade, Republicans in the Senate
and House are unable to distinguish between
free trade and protection. In the same conuec-
ton is cited the declaration that, ''while by
cheapening the cost OF the necessaries Of life
we increase the purchasing power of the work
ingman's wages" Astonishmen. 10 expressed Et
tho Presidents extended observations on the
surplus without ssy accommodation as to how
the accumulation in the treasury shAl be
duced. His re ference to a strict and s,eadfast
adherence to the principles Of civil-ssrvice re-
form is denounced as . mockery and a sham,
when there are two Cabinet officers and scores
of lesser officials directly connected
with the administration now on
the stump, indulging in the most
vitupsrative partisan u,terances and slandering z
the Republican party. The Presidents allusion
to the interest Of farmers, without any reference
whatever to the fact that the Mills bill places
every essential product of the farm upon the
free list, thus wrecking every interest Of the
farmer, will cause surprise 10 the rural Districts
II it does not bring about . rsvulsion. In fact,
every reference to the interest Of the farmer,
the mechanic and the lsboring man has been as
painfully fippant and sarcastic IS have been
the observations Of the President toward
the private soldiers and their widows and
orphans who have asked for pensions
through Congress, and have received brutal and
shameful abuse. The President proceeds. from
beginning to end, upon the assumption that he
is talking to grossly ignorant constituency,
and that his every act Of demagogy is accepted
as consistent and praiseworthy. Plainly. the
President declares for the maintenance of inter-
nal taxation and the creation of further internal
taxes like that upon oleomaresrine. which he
mentions, while the import duties are being
abolished and free trade accepted. In the esti-
nation OF number of the brainiest Republic
ans in Washington who have tonight seen the
letter, it will prove great disappointment to
the party and failure as a csmpsign document
Text OF the Letter.
WASHINGTON Sept. 9-The following In the