The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-09-15
Mr.. Cleveland's Acceptance.

Mr.. Cleveland's Acceptance.
Mr.. Cleveland's letter accepting the Demo
cratic nomination for President for a second
term was given to the public last Monday, and
is to be found on the first page of this issue.
The Republican party had been anxiously
awaiting it for two months past, but now that
it is before the country and its influence
plainly to be seen, there is feeling OF dismay
pervadng it. Democrats were not at all So
licitous concerning it. They knew it would
be forthcoming at the opportune time, neither
before nor after, and there was general con-
fidence that it would be bold, aggressive and
convincing paper.
Our Republican friends were anxious to
see the letter, and with mingled hope and fear
it was perused. Some believed that it would
retrace, in a measure, the bold step forward
for tariff revision taken by Mr.. Cleveland in
his last annual message. The free trade scare
they sought and are still seeking to create
was regarded to have been sufficiently sue
cessful to reach even the President Such as
had so counted did not know the man. Con-
scious of the correctness of his views, Mr..
Cleveland stepped forward last December and
announced them to Congress and the country,
and fortified them with cogent and powerful
reasoning.
The apparent boldness of his message
caused many timid Democrats to quake with
fear lest the President had burned the bridges
and left no avenue of retreat. But the re-
Spouse of the people convinced these that no
mistake had been made. The party for once,
in recent years, had leader who had the
courage of his convictions. Setting his stand
ard forward, his party rallied to it, and with
united ranks it sustained him. A revenue
measure in consonance with his message was
formulated and passed by the Democratic
branch of Congress, and it now hangs in the
Senate, where the once bold and aggressive
Republican majority hesitates either to pass
it or to report a substitute.
Those who expected sort Of an apology
for the position taken in his last annual mes
sage were doomed to disappointment. MIR.
Cleveland did not put forth that message
without due thought and deliberation. He
saw the money of the country gradually but
surely being absorbed into the treasury. A
large surplus had accumulated, and was
steadily growing. This needless withdrawal
of money from the usual channels of trade
was a menace to business, and unless soon
checked would lead to financial distress, If
not ruin. Under unnecessary high taxes he
saw trusts and combinations forming every
where, and observed their power for oppres-
sion. The people were laid under tribute to
them, and we were rapidly becoming nation
of paupers and millionaires. Forseeing the
danger he sounded the alarm. There was to
be no retreat He laid down the only policy
by pursuing which unnecessary taxation could
be stopped, the surplus reduced, and oppres-
sive, if not unlawful combinations could be
restrained. That policy has been adhered to
by his perry in Congress, been endorsed by his
party's national convention, and in his letter
of acceptance it is again proclaimed and en-
phasized.
Republicans who did not share the belief
that Mr. Cleveland would retrace his steps
were impatient to know what further aggres-
sive step he would take. They dreaded his
letter, and yet wanted it published. 1t was
certain to come, and they wanted the agony
over. Now that it is out they will task them
selves with plans to counteract its influence,
for great bearing on the campaign it will
have.
But still the agony of the party is not over.
The Republican Senate is confronted with the
issue of tariff revision and reduction in prac-
tical form. If it passes a measure giving re-
lief it will be a retreat from the position the
party took through its representatives in
national convention. This would be a con-
fession that the Democratic position was cor
rect, and would aid Democratic success. If
the Senate elects to adjourn without action.
they fear the President will recall Congress
in extra session to consider reduction of
needless taxation, and in message that will
virtually sound the death knell of the Republi
can party.
The question of revenue reform will not
down. 1t is the paramount and overshadow-
ing Issue of the present campaign, and the
Republican party must meet it. Mr.. Cleve-
land again presents ii to the country, or rather
emphasizes it, in his letter of acceptance.
He not only emphasizes it, but he vigorously
criticses the Republican policy as laid down
in their platform. While the letter deals
mainly with the subject of taxation, the con
trolling issue, it further outlines the policy he
will pursue if again intrusted with power 1t
is not our purpose to summarize it, for that
could not be well done, for it is pleasing
condensation itself, in the most expressive
and vigorous English. Let it be carefully