Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-09-14
Letter of Acceptance.
Mr.. CLEVELAND STATES THE ISSUES
PLAINLY AND WITHOUT EVCIvOCA'

: ON nittee-Gentlemen In addressing
o you my formal acceptance Of the
to the Presidency OF the
United States, my thoughts persistent
~ dwell on the impressive relation OF .
such action to the American people,
whose confidence is invited. and to the !
political party to which ! belong, Just
on contest for continued SUI
premacy. The world does not afford
spectacle more sublime than is fur
nished when millions OF free and intel
ligent American citizens select their
chief magistrate, and bid one OF their
number to find the highest earthly
honor and full measure OF publicity IN
ready Submission to their will. 1t fol-
lows that the candidate for President
can never forget. when the turmoil and
strife which attend election shall be
heard no more, that there must be, in
the quiet calm which follows, complete
and solemn self-consecrating, by the
peoples chosen President, OF every fac
ulty and cndeavor to the service OF a
contiding and generous nation OF free
men. These thoughts are intensified
by the light OF my experience in the
Presidential office which has soberly
impressed ME with the severe respon-
sibilities which it imposes, while it has
quickened my love for American insti-
tutions and taught me the priceless
value Of the trust of my country.
1t is OF the highest importance that
those who administer the Government
should closely protect and maintain
the rights of the American people at
home and abroad and should strive to
achieve for our country her proper
place among the nations OF the earth
but there is no people whose home in,
terests are SO great and whose numer,
GUS objects OF domestic concern de-
serve SO much watching and care
Among these are: The regulation Of
a sound financial system to our needs
thus securing an efficient agency Of
national wealth and general prosperity
the construction and equipment OF
means OF defense to ensure our nation
al safety and maintain the honor be
meath which such national safety re
poses; the protection of our national
domain still stretching beyond the
needs of the century's expansion, anC
the preservation for the settler and pic
neer of our marvellous growth; the
sensible and sincere recognition of the
value of American labor, leaning to the
scrupulous care and just appreciation
of the interests Of our workingmen
the limitation and checking OF such
monopolistic tendencies and schemes
AS interfere with the advantages anG
benefits which. the people may right
fully claim; generous regard anC
care for our surviving soldiers and sail
ors and for the widows and orphans o
such as Eave died, to the end tina
while appreciation OF their services ant
sacrifice is quickened the application
of their pension funds to imprope
cases may be prevented; the prevel
ton OF seryile immigration which il
lures industries, commerce and labor
ing men and adds TO our population al
element ignorant of our institution
nd laws, impossible Of assimilation
with our people and dangerous to GU
peace and welfare; strict and steadfas
adherence to the principles of civi
service reform and thorough execution
of laws passed for this purpose. The
people are soberly considering the ne
cessary measures of relief.
The government IS a creation Of tn
people, established to carry out thei
/, designs and accomplish good. 1t Wa
founded OH justice and made for fire
and virtuous people. 1t is only usefu
when within their control and onl
serves we'll when regulated and guide
, by their constant touch. 1t is a fire.
government because it guarantees t
every American citizen the unrestrict
ed use and enjoyment Of all reward c
his toll and of all his income excep
what may be his fair contribution t
, necessary public expenses. Therefore
, it is not only the right but the duty G
, free people in the enforcement of thi
guarantee, that they insist that sue
expense be limited to actual publ
needs. 1t seems clear that when
Government thus fundamentally crea
+ ed and maintained by the people to d
a their bidding, turns upon them an
!. through an utter perversion of il
:, powers EFFORTS from their labor an
capital tribute largely in excess {
public needs, the creature has rebelle
Z against the creator and the master
n are robbed by their servants. The co.
= of Government must continue to /
met by tariff duty collected at OF
=" custom houses upon imported goot
J. and BY an internal revenue tax assesse
y upon spirituous and malt liquors, t.
le bacco and OleOmargarine. suppo:
:, it is needless TO explain that all the'
" duties and assessments are added
the price of the article or articles upo
which they are levied, and thus becon
70 tax on all those who buy these ART
lie cles for use and consumption. su
NJ pose, too, it is well understood that Il
in effect of this tariff taxation is not liz
tied to the consumers of imported arl
cles, but that the duties imposed Z
u such articles permit IL corresponds
It. increase in the price to be made upC
m domestic productions of the same kin
% which increase is paid by the people
" consumers of such productions, ar
y entering every American home cons
~ tutes form Of tax as certain and i
K evitable as though the amount was Il
nually paid into the hands of the t.
gatherers. These results are INSOFAR
n, BILE from the plan We have adopted f
collection of revenue by tariff dut
" They are not mentioned to discreC
as the system but by way Of preface
eel the statement that every million d.
10 lars collected ut our custom houses
duties on imported articles and pa
" into the public treasury represe
y many millions more, which, thOul
I'd never reaching the national treasul
,e are paid by our citizens as increas
=. cost of productions resulting from o
tariff laws.
These circumstances and, in view
this necessary effect OF the operate
a. of our plan for raising revenue, the a
!. solute duty Of limiting the rate
Nv tariff charges to the necessities OF
st. frugal and economical administrati'
he Of Government seems to be perfect
be plain. The continuance, upon pl
of text of meeting public expenditures,
~ such u scale OF tariff taxation as dra'
from the substance of the people a su
largely in excess of public needs,
&c surely something which in = Cover
n ment based on justice and which fin
to its strength and usefulness in the fai
en- and trust of the people ought not
ho tolerated. While tho heavy hr