Western Kansas world., 1888-10-13
LEVI P. MORTON.
Delivers His Letter Of Accepeanee-He
Expresses himself a. In Hearty
Accord With tho Republi-
can National Platform
As Citizen and Candidates, He
Does Not Hesitate to Declare that
From Long Observation He Is
an Unwavering Protecttonist,

an Unwavering Pr0tectt0nist.
RHINE CLIFF, N. Y, October 2.-Follov-
ing is Hon. L. p. Mortor's letter to the re-
publican committee, accepting the nomina.
ton for vice president of the Uoited States
RHINE CLIFF, N. Y, October 2, 1883.
To the Hon. H. Ii. Estse and others. COMMITTEES
GENTIEMEN-In making formal accept
ance of my nomination as the republican
candidate for the wise presidency, I desire
to express my grateful appreciation of the
confidence reposed in me by the conven-
ton. The duties revolving upon the vice
president as presiding officer of the senate,
and IN certain contingencies a participant
| In the legislation of congress, make it
! proper, that the people should know dis
! tinctiy and unreservedly the political views
of the candidate who may be presented for
! their suffrage.
1t fortunately happens that this dnty for
! myself is easily discharged by referring to
the the principles embodied in the resolu-
, tions unanimously adopted by the national
convention. These resolutions are unequiv-
ocal and comprehensive in character and
reflect my personal convictions and have
my hearty approval. It is difficult, however,
in political campaign to fix popular at
tention on more than one election, and in
the pending election every person in the
United States clearly sees that the control
ling question is whether the protective
tariff duties, now in force, shall be
80 reduced as to destroy their industries or
whether duties shall be retained with such
notifications and adjustments as shall
better adapt them to the great end of pro-
lection of the vast and important industries
of the whole country. The republican plat
form recognizes the necessity that this re-
duction must not be made at the expense of
the industries and American labor.
The American people have now enjoyed
the protective system for longer continu-
GUS period than ever before in the history of
the national government. The result is that
for more than a quarter of q century they
have realized a degree of industrial and
financial prosperity. unprecedented in this
country and never in any other. The press
ing reason given for once again trying the
protection, is that the present tariff has pro-
duced and is producing sur
plus in the treasury. But is it not easily,
with the wisdom of congress-,
to adjust the national income to the nation
al expenditures without sacrificing or even
imperilling our industrial system which has
brought advantages to the entire country?
Admitting that the present tariff by lapse of
time and the large expansion of trade,
which it has stimulated, is it not wiser and
more patriotic to revise it with careful re-
gard to the interests of protection than with
the purpose of lessening the protective
features?
These are some of the questions which
must be answered at the national polls in
November. For myself US a citizen, and rs
candidate, 1 do not hesitate to declare
that from long observation am an unwav-
ering friend of the protective system. In
business life, now extending over forty
years, have witnessed and compared the
effects on the country of q revenue tariff
tariff encouraging home industries. Under
the former the development of the country
has always been arrested, while under |
the latter it has uniformly been pro-
NOTED. To the men who earn their |
bread by the sweat of their brow,
the difference between the two systems is |
that of narrowing chances on the one hand
and expanding opportunities on the other. |
Free trade would open a competition with |
the whole world: protection protects them. |
The industries are as sensitive as public |
credit. A hostile movement creates distrust |
in the mind, and confidence, the only basis |
of successful trade, becomes impaired. New |
wither in the bud, capital grows |
timid, the food of labor is contracted, and |
pressure for employment in evil abridges !
the wages of all workingmen.
With the views of the convention ex-
pressed in its resolutions upon other ques-
tions of republic interests, 1 find myself in
hearty accord.
In relation to silver and its important |
bearing upon the national currency, as we'll
as its connection with and influence on the
of large sections of our common
in its advocacy Of judicious settle
ment Of the public land policy; in urging
the necessity for better coast defenses and
duty We owe to the shipping interests of the
country, the platform but repeats the ap-
proved principles of the republican party.
The republican platform proposes a dis
tinctly American policy, not one of narrow
ness and bigotry but one broad and phil
policy that best helps the
whole world by the example Of a great,
growing and powerful nation found, upon
the equality of every man before the
law. 1t is for the American people
to develop and cultivate the con-
tinent in which by the province
Of God they have fallen heirs. They
should adopt policy which looks steadily
10 this great end. With no spirit OF narrow
ness toward other people, but rather in the
ligbset interest of ali, they should find uu-
Ter their own flag. limitless advance in the
direction of the improvement, the prosper.
ty and happiness of man.
Very respectfully yours.
d