New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-10
MR.. CLEVELAND ACCEPTS.
AFTER NINETY-SIX DAYS HIS LEIIEh
APPEARS.

| AWKWARD ATTEMPTS IO DoDoH
THE FREE-TRADE DILEMMA
Mr. Cleveland's lstter Of acceptance Of the NOM
nation to the Presidency by the Democratic party
was given out yesterday -ninety-sfx days atter
his actual nomination at the St. Louis Convention
The letter deals with the tariff almost to the ex-
cusion of every other issue, and several pages
arc devoted TO consideration Of the surplus as
condition The Republican platform is dwclt
upon. Many vital issues such as the
Fisheries question, are entirely ignored Follow
| ing is the fun text Of the letter:
Washington, Sept. 8, 1888.
Hon Patrick A. Collins and Others, Committee
etc.
Gentlemen: In addressing to you my formal
acceptance Of the nomination to the Presidency OF
the United States my thoughts persistently dwell
upon the impressive relation of such action to tho
American people, whose confidence is thus IN
vited, and to the political party TO which be-
long, just entering upon q contest for continued
supremacy.
The world does not afford spectacle more
sublime than is furnished when millions OF free
and intelligent American citizens select their
Chief Magistrate, and bid one of their number to
find the highest earthly honor and the full meas
ure of public duty in ready submission to their
will
It follows that candidate for this high office
| can never forget that when the turmoil and the
strife which attend the selection of its incum-
bent shall be heard no more there must be IN the
quiet calm which follows a complete and solemn
sef-consecraton by the peoples chosen President
| OF every faculty and endeavor 10 the service OF
confding and generous nation of frecmen.
| These thoughts are intensified by the light Of my
experience in the Presidential office, which has
| soberly impressed with the severe RESPONSE
blities which it imposes, while 1t has quickened
my love for American institutions and taught me
the priceless value Of the trust Of my countrymen
| II is of the highest importance that those who
administer our Government should jealousy pro-
tect and maintain the rights of American citizens
at homo and abroad, and should strive to achieve
for our country her proper place among the ma
tions of the earth; but there is no people whose
home interests are so great, and whose numerous
| objects of domestic concern deserve so much
watchfulness and care.
PROFESSIONS OF ZEAL FOR HOME INTERESTS.
Among these are the regulation Of a sound
financial system suited TO our needs thus securing
an efficient agency OF national wealth and general
prosperity: the construction and equipment OF
means Of defence, TO insure our national safety
and maintain the honor beneath which such no
tional safety reposes; the protection OF our ma
| tional domain, still stretching beyond the needs
Of a centurys expansion, and its preservation for
the settler and the pioneer of marvellous
growth a sensible and sincere recognition OF the
value OF American labor leading 10 the scrupulous
care and just appreciation of the interests OF
our worlxingmen; the limitation and checking Of
such monopolstic tendencies and schemes as
interfere with the advantages and benefits which
the people may rightly claim q generous regard
and care for our surviving soldiers and sailors
and for the widows and orphans of such as have
died 10 the end that, while the appreciation Of
their services and sacrifices is quickencd, the
application Of their pension fund 10 improper cases
may be prevented; protection against scryile
immigration, which niuriously compctes with our
Ia ing men in the field Of toll and adds to our
population an element ignorant OF our institutions
and laws, impossible of assimilation with our
people and dangerous to our peace and welfare;
n strict and steadfast adherence 70 the principles
of Civil Service Reform, and thorough execution
of the laws passed for their enforcement, thus
permitting to our people the advantages of bust
ness methods in the operation of their government;
the guarantee TO colored citizens Of all their
ghs of citizenship, and their Just recognition
and encouragement in all things pertaining TO that
relation firm patient and humane Indian
policy, so that in peaceful relations with the
Government the civilization OF the Indian may be
promoted, with resulting quiet and safety TO the
settlers on our frontiers; and the curtailment OF
public expense by the introduction Of economical
methods in every department Of the Government
The pledges contained in the platform
adopted by the late Convention Of the Ma
tional Democracy lead to the advance
ment Of these objects and insure good
government-the aspiration Of every true American
citizen and the motive for every patriotic action
and effort. In the consciousness that much has
been done In the direction Of good government by
the present Administration, and submitting its
record TO the fair inspection of my countrymen
indorse the platform thus presented, with the de-
termination that if l am again called to the Chief
Magistracy, there shall be continuance of de-
voted endeavor to advance the interests of the
entire country.
THE TARIFF THROUGH FREE-TRADE SPECTACLES
Our scale of Federal taxation and its conse-
quences largely engross at this time the attention
Of our citizens, and the people sObcrly con-
sidering the necessity OF measures OF relief
Our Government is the creation Of the people,
established 70 carry out their designs and ac-
complsL their good. 1t was founded justice
and was made for a free, intelligent and virtuOus
people It is only useful when within their con-
troll and only serves them well when regulated
and guided by their constant touch. 1t is free
Government, because it guarantees to every Amer-
can citizen the unrestrc oed personal use and en-
joyment Of all the reward Of his toll and of all
his income, except what may be his fair contrbu-
tion to necessary public expense Therefore it is
not only the right, but the duty, of free people in
the enforcement of this guarantee, 10 insist that
such expense should be strictly limited 10 the
actual public needs. 1t seems perfectly clear that
when the Government this lnstrumentaity created
and maintained By the people to do their bidding
turns upon them and. through an utter perversion
of its powers, extorts from their labor and capital
tribute largely in excess Of public necessities, the
creature has rebeled aaglnst the creator and the
masters are robbed by their ants.
The cost of the Government must continue to
be met by tariff duties collected at our custom
houses upon imported goods. and by informal