The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-10-17
HIS FORMAL ACCEPTANCE.
BRIEF BUT STRAIGHT TO THE POINT
Simple, Direct and Forcfble Letter
Given Out by Judge Thurman-CIeve-
lands Administration Marked by
Integrity and Patriotism.

COLUMBUS, O., Oct. l4.-Judge Thurmant
letter of acceptance was given to the pres(
this evening. The first draft of the letter
was in the judges handwriting, and the
typewriter copies showed only a few
changes in punctuation from the original
The letter is as follows:
COLUMBUS, O., Oct. u, 1883.
The Hon. Patrick \. Collins and Others, Committees
GENTLEAIEN-In obedience TO custom. send
you this formal acceptance of my nomination
for the Office OF vice-president OF the United
States, made by the national convention OF the
democratic party at St. Louis.
When you did me the honor 20 call upon me-
at Columbus and officially notify me of my
nomination, expressed to you my sense Of
obligation 10 the convention and stated that,
although | had not sought the nomination,
did not feel at liberty, under the circumstances,
10 decline IT, i thought then, as | still think,
that whatever | could properly do TO promote
the reelection OF President Cleveland ought
10 do. His administration has been marked by
such integrity, good sense, manly courage and
exalted patriotism, that just appreciation OF
these high qualities seems to call for his re-
election.
L am also strongly impressed with the belief
that his reelection would powerfully tend to
strengthen that feeling of fraternity among the
American people that Is so essential 10 their
welfare, peace and happiness, and to the per-
petuity of the Union and of our free institu-
tons.
approve the platform Of the st. Louis con-
yentiOn and cannot too strongly express my
dissent from the heretical teachings of the
mOnopOlists that the welfare of a people can
be promoted by a system OF exOrbitant taxation
far In excess OF the wants Of the government,
The idea that people can be enriched by
heavy and unnecessary taxation, that mans
condition can be improved by taxing him on
all he wears on all his wife and children wear
on all his tools and implements of industry, is
an obvious sbsurdity. To fill the vaults OF the
treasury with an idle surplus for which the
government has no legitimate use, and 70 there's
by deprive the people OF currency needed for
their business and daily wants, and TO create a
powerful and dangerous stimulus 10 extrava-
gance and corruption in the expenditures Of
the government seems to me to be policy at
variance with every sound principle of govern
ment and OF political economy.
The necessity of reducing taxation TO pre-
vent such an accumulation OF surplus revenues
and the consequent depletion OF the circulating
medium, is so apparent that no party dares to
deny 1t; but when we come 70 consider the
modes by which the reduction may be made,
we find a wide antagonism between our party
and the monopOlistic leaders of our political
opponents.
We seek to reduce taxes upon the necessaries
of life; our opponents seek TO increase them.
We say, give TO the masses OF the people cheap
and good clothing, cheap blankets, cheap tools
and cheap lumber. The republicans, by their
platform, and their leaders in the senate by
their proposed bill, say increase the taxes on
clothing and blankets and thereby increase
their cost, maintain a high duty on the tools Of
the farmer and mechanic and upon the lumber
which they need for the construction OF their
modest dwellings, shops and barns and thereby
prevent their obtaining these necessaries at
reasonable prices.
Can any sensible man doubt as 10 where he
should stand on this controversy? Can any
well-informed be deceived by the false
pretenses that a system so unreasonable and
unjust is for the benefit OF the lab0ringman?
Much is said about the competition of Ameri.
can labOrers with the pauper labor of Europe,
but does not every man who looks around him
see and know that an immense majority of the
kaborers in America are not engaged in what are
called the protected industries? and as to those
who are employed in such industries is il NOS
undenabe that the duties proposed by the
democratic measure. called the Mills bill far
exceed the difference between American and
European wages, and that, therefore, If ii were
admitted that every wOrkingman can be pro-
tected by tariffs against cheaper labor, they
would be fully protected, and more than pro-
formed man know that the increase In price Of
home manufacturers, produced by a high tariff,
does not go into the pockets of laboring men,
but only tends TO swell the profits of others?
1t seems to me that ii the policy of the dems
ocratic party is plainly presented, all must UNI
derstand that we seek to make the cost of live
ing less, and at the same time increase the
share of the labOring man in the benefits OF the
national prosperity and growth. am very
| respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALLEN q. THURMAN.