Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-10-12
MORTON'S LETTER.
He Accepts the Nomination for Vice
President.

And stands Upon the Chicago Platform.
The following is Mr.. Levi II. Morton's
letter accepting the republican nomination
Tor vice president:
RHINEcLIrr, N. Y Oct 2.
Hon. NJ. NJ Estee and others, committee:
Gentlemen In making formal acceptance
Of my nomination as the republican candi-
date for the vice presidency, desire 10 ex-
press my grateful appreciation Of the con-
hdencc reposed in me by the convention.
The duties devolving upon the vice presi-
dent as presiding officer OF the senate and
in certain contingencies participant in
the legislation OF congress, make IL proper
that the people should know distinctly and
unreservedy the political views Of the
candidate who may be presented for their
suffrages. 1t fortunately happens that
this duty is easily discharged by referring
TO the principles embodied in the resolu-
lions unanimously adopted by the national
convention. These resolutions, unequivo-
cal and comprehensive in character reflect
my personal convictions and have my
hearty approval.
IL is difficult, however, in political cam
paign 10 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 pro-
tective tariff duties now in force shall be
reduced so as to destroy their efficiency, or
whether these duties shall be retained with
such notifications and ad jUstmentS as shall
Dtltcf dudpI lHGlu 10 inc great emu OF pro-
tecting the vast and important Industries OF
the whole country. The republican plat
form, while recognizing the necessity of re-
duclng the revenue, declares that this re-
duction must not be made at the expense of
these industries and of American labor.
The American people have now enjoyed the
protective system for "A longer continuous
period than ever before in the history of the
national government. The result is that
for more than a quarter Of century they
have realized a degree of industrial and
financial prosperity unprecedented in this
country and never equalled in any other.
The pressing reason given for once again
trying the old experiment OF IA revenue tar
IN, without protection as motive or end,
is that the present tariff has produced and
IL producing "a surplus in the treasury. But
is il not easily within the wisdom of con-
gress to adjust the national income to the
national expenditure without sacrificing or
even impcrilling an industrial system
which has br>" ght untold advantages TO the
entire country, Admitting that the present
tariff, by lapse OF time and the large expan-
Bion OF trade which ii has stimulated, needs
revision, is IL not wiser and more patriotic
TO revise il with "a careful regard to the in
terests Of protection than with the purpose
OF lessening its protective features;
These are some of the questions that
must be answered at the national polls in
November For myself, as a citizen and as
candidate, ] do not hesitate to declare
that from long observation i am an unwav-
ering friend of the protective system. In a
business life now extending over 40 wears |
have witnessed and compared the effect
upon the country of a revenue tariff tend
ing 10 free trade with protective tariff
encouraging home industries. Under the
former the development of the country has
always been arrested, while under the lat
ter il has uniformly been promoted.
To the men who earn their bread by the
sweat of their brows the difference between
the two systems is that of narrowing
chances on the one hand and expanding OPP
portunites on the other. Free trade would
open America to competition with the
whole world. Protection reserves America
for Americans, native and adopted.
The industrial system Of "A country is as
sensitive as its public credit a hostile
movement creates distrust in the public
mind, and confidence, the only basis Of sue
cessful trade. becomes impaired New en-
terprises wither in the bud. capital grows
timid. the field of labor is contracted and
the pressure for employment inevitably re
duces the wages of all wOrkingmen.
With the views Of the convention so
frankly expressed ia its resolutions upon
all other questions OF public interest l
find myself in hearty accord. In relation
TO silver and its important bearing upon
the national currency, as well as its con-
nection with and influence ON the prosper
ity oflarge sections OF our common country:
III llS duNOcacN OF Il yuulclOuS settlement OF
the public lands policy; in urging the ne
cessity for better coast defenses and the
duty we owe 70 the shipping interests of
the country, the platform but repeats the
approved principles Of the republican
party.
The republican platform proposes dis
tinctly American policy; not one Of mar
rowness- and blgoiry but one broad and
philanthropic-a policy that best helps the
whole world by the example of great,
growing, powerful nation founded upon the
equality Of every man before the law
1t is for the American people to develop
and cultivate the continent to 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 peoples, but
rather in the highest interest of all, they
should find under their own flag a limitless
advance in the direction of the improve.
ment, the prosperity and the happiness Of
man. Very respectfully yours,
LEVI Il. MORTON.