Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-09-14
CLEVELAND'S LETTER
Accepting the Presidential Nomination.
His Position Clearly Defined.
Matters OF Imp0rta

The following is President Clevelssd's
letter OF acceptance:
WAsuINsroS, Sept. 8, 1888
Hon. Patrick A. Collins aud others, com.
mittee, etc. Gentlemen.-ln addressing 10
] You my formal acceptance OF the noInina-
ton TO the Presidency Of the United States,
my thoughts persistently dwell upon the
impressive relation OF such action TO the
American people, whose confidence is thus
invited, and 70 the political party TO which
belong, just entering upon "a contest for
continued supremacy.
The world does not afford a spectacle
more sublime than is furnished when mil
! lions of free and intelligent American citi-
zens select their chief magistrate, and bid
one OF their number 10 find the highest
earthly honor and the full measure of pub
lie duty in ready submission to their will.
1t follows that candidate for this high
office can never forget that when the tur-
mol and the strife which attend the selec-
tion Of it's incumbent shall shall be heard
no more, there must be in the quiet calm
which follows complete ard solemn self
conservation by the peoples chosen Presi-
dent OF every faculty and endeavor to the
service of a contiding and generous Nation
OF freemen.
These thoughts are intensified by the
light of my experience in the Presidential
Office, which has soberly impressed me
with the severe responsibilities which it
]
for American institutions and taught me
the priceless value of the trust OF my
cOuutrymen.
IL is Of the highest Importance that those
who administer our government should
jealousy protect and maintain the rights of
American citizens at home and abroad, and
should strive 10 achieve for our country
her proper place among the nations OF the
earth; but there Is no people whose home
interests are So great. and whose numerous
objects OF domestic concern deserve so
much watChfuluess and care.
Among these are the regulations OF
sound financial system suited 10 our needs,
thus securing an efficient agency OF national
wealth and general prosperity: the con
struction and equipment of means of de-
Tense, 10 insure our National safety and
maintain the honor beneath which such
National safety reposes: the protection of
our national domain, still stretching be
Nond the needs or "a century's expansion,
and its preservation for the settler and the
pioneer of our marvellous growth; sensi-
ble and sincere recognition Of the value OF
American labor, leading 10 the scrupulous
care and Just appreciation Of the interests
of our workingmen. the limitation and
checking OF such monopolistic tcndcn-
cies and schemes as interfere with
the advantages and benefits which the
people may rightfully claim; generous re
gard 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 sacri-
fees is quickcned the application Of their
pension funds 10 improper cases may be
prevented; protection against "a servile
immigration, which injuriously completes
with our laboring men in the field of toll,
and adds 10 our population an element
ignorant of our institutions and laws, i'm
possible of assimilation with our people
and dangerous 10 our peace and welfare;
"a strict and steadfast adherence TO the pIin-
Clples OF civil service reform and a thorough
execution of the laws passed for their en-
forccment, thus permitting 10 our people
the advantages Of business methods in the
operation Of their government: the guarau-
~ To our colorcd citizens Of all their rights
of citizenship, and their just recognition
ana encouragement in all things pertaining
10 that relation: firm, patient and hu
name Indian policy, so that in peaceful re
latlOns with the government the CiVlliZa-
ton OF the Indian may be promoted. with
resulting quiet and safety 10 the settlers on
our frontiers and the curtailment of pub
lie expense by the introduction of ecouom
zeal methods in every department OF the
government.
The pledges contained in the platform
adopted by the late convention of the nat
ional democracy lead 10 the advancement
of these objects and insure good govern
mcnt- the aspiration Of every true Ameri-
can citizen and the motive for every patri-
Otto action and effort. In the conscious
ness that much has been done in the direc-
tion Of good government by the present adj
ministratiOu. and submitting It's record 10
the fair inspection Of my countrymen, en-
dorse the platform thus presented with
the determination that, If am again call
ed 10 the chief magistracY, there shall be
continuance Of devoted endcavor TO advance
the interests Of the entire country
Our scale of federal taxation and its con
"a traaIt ON At ma h.a
attention OF our citizens. and the people are
soberlY considering the necessity OF meas
ures OF relief. Our government is the ere
alton OF the people, established 10 carry
out their designs and accomplish their
good. II was founded on Justice. and was
made for free, intelligent aud virtuous
people. IL is free government because II
guarantees TO every American citizen the
unrestricted personal use and enjoyment OF
all the reward Of his toll and OF all his in
come. except what may be his fair contri-
button to necessary public expense. There.
fore it is not only right. but the duty OF a
free people, in the enforcement of this guar
anty. 10 insist that such expense should be
strictly limited 20 the actual public needs.
IL seems perfectly clear that when the gov
/ eminent, this fundamentally created and
maintained by the people 10 do their bid
ding, turns upon them, and through an
utter perversion of its powers EFFORTS from
their labor and capital tribute largely in
excess OF public necessities the creature
has rebelled against the creator and the
masters are robbed by their servants
The cost OF the government must con-
tinue 70 be met by tariff duties collected at
our custom houses upon imported goods,
and by internal revenue taxes upon spiritu-
Gus and malt liquors, tobacco and oleomar-
garine. suppose IL is needless TO explain
that all these duties and assessments are
added to the price OF the articles upon
| which they are levied, and thus become a
| tax upon all those who buy these articles
for use and consumption. | suppose, too,
IL is well understood that the effect OF this
tariff taxation is not limited to the consum-
ers OF imported articles. but that the duties
imposed upon such articles permit cor
| responding Increase in price 10 be laid upon
domestic productions OF the same kind
which increase, paid by all our people as
consumers OF home productions and enter
| ing every American home, constitutes "a
| form of taxation as certain and as newt
able as though the amount was annually
paid into the hand of the tax gatherer.
J These results are masquerade from the
plan we have adopted for the collection OF
our revenue by tariff duties. They are not
mentioned 10 discredit the system, but by
Of fla hot