Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-10-03


Levi p. Morton's Able Advocacy of the
Protection Policy.
New YORK, October 2d.-Following is
Levi ?. Morton's letter accepting the nomi-
nation for Vice-President:
RHISECLIFF IN. ", October2, 1855.
Hon. VI. ". EStee and Others OF the Committee
GENTLEMEN: In making formal acceptance of
my nomination as the Republican candidate
for the Vice Presidency, i desire to express my
grateful appreciation of the confidence reposed
i'll me by the Convention. The duties devoly-
ing upon the Viee-President as presiding officer
OF the Senate and in certain contingencies a
participant in legislation of Congress, make it
proper that the people should know distinctly
ana unreservedly to political views of a candi-
date who may be presented for their suffrages.
1t fortunately happens that this duty for myself
is easily discharged by referring to principles
embodied in resolutions unanimously adopted
by the National Convention. These resolutions
unequivocal and comprehensive in character
reflect my personal convictions and have my
hearty approval. 1t is difficult, however, in q
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 modi-
hcationS and adjustments as shall better adapt
them to the great end of protecting the vast and
important industries of the whole country.
The Republican platform, while recognizing
lHe OI the revenue, declares
that this reduction must not be made at the ex-
pense OF these industries and American labor
The American people have now enjoyed the
protective system for a longer continuous period
than ever before III the history of the National
Government. The result is that for more than
quarter of century they have realized a de-
gree of industrial financial prosperity unprece-
dented III this country and never equalled in
any other.
A pressing reason for once again trying the
experiment of revenue tariff without protec-
ton as motive or an end is that the present
tarlh has produced ana is producing a surplus
In the treasury But it is not easily within the
wisdom OF Congress to adjust the national in
come 10 national expenditures without sacrific-
ing or even imperil1ng the industrial system
which has brought untold advantages to the en-
tire country.
Admitting that the present tariff, by the lapse
OF time and the large expansion of trade, which
II has stimulated, needs a revision. Is it not
wiser ana more patriotic to revise it with regard
to the interests of protection than with the pur-
pose of lessening its protective features?
These are some of the questions which must
be answered at the national polls in Novem ber.
FOR myself, as a citizen and as a candidate, do
not hesitate to declare that from long observa
ton am an unwavering friend of the protective
system. In business life now extending over
forty years, have witnessed and compared the
effect upon the country of revenue tariff tend
ing to free trade with protective tariff encourag.
ing home industries. Under the former the de-
yelopment OF the country has always been
IL
formly been promoted. To the men who earn
their bread by the sweat of their brows, the diff
terence between the two systems is that of mar
rowing the chances on one hand and spending
the opportunities on the other.
free trade would open America to competi-
ton with the whole world. Protection reserves
america for Americans, native and adopted
The industrial system of the country is as sensi-
tive as its public credit. Hostile movement
creates distrust in the public mind, and
confidence = the only basis of successful
trade-becomes impaired. New enterprises
W1ther In the bud; capital grows timid; the
held OF labor becomes contracted, and the pres
sure for employment inevitably reduces the
wages of all workingmen.
With the views OF the Convention so frankly
expressed in its resolutions upon all other ques-
t1ons of public interest, find myself in hearty
accord. In relation to silver and its important
bearing upon the national currency as well as
It's connection with and influence upon the
prosperity of large sections of our common
country. In its advocacy of a judicious settle
ment of the public land policy; in urging the
necessity for better coast defenses and
the duty we owe the shipping inter
ests Of the country, the platform but
repeats The approved principles of the
proposes distinctly an American policy-not
one OF narrowness and bigotry-but one broad
phllanthropic policy that best helps the whole
world by the example of great, growing, pow
erful nation founded upon the equality of every
man before the law. 1t is for the American peo-
which, in the providence of God, they have
fallen heirs. They should adopt policy which
looks steadily to this great end with no spirit of
narrowness toward other people, but rather the
highest interest that all should find under their
own flag field of limitless advance in the di-
rection of improvement, prosperity and the hap
piness OF man. Very respectfully yours,
LEVI 2. MORTON.