Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-10-06
MORTON,s WISE ADVICE.
HIS LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE GIVEN TO
THE PEOPLE.

HIS LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE GIVEN TO
THE PEOPLE.
New York, October 2.--Mr. Nor
toms letter of acceptance has been
made public, and is as follows:
RHINEcLrFT, N. Y, October ..
The Hon. If. n. Estee and others,
Committee
Gentlemen--In making formal &C
ceptance of my nomination as the
Republican candidate for the vice
presidency, / desire to express my
grateful appreciation of the conf
dence reposed in me by the conven-
ton.
The duties devolving 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 distinctly and
unreservedly the political views OF
the candidate who may be presented
for their sutfrages.
1t fortunately happens that this
duty for myself is easily discharged
by referring to the principles embed
led in the resolutions unanimously
adopted by the National Convention.
These resolutions, unequivocal and
comprehensive in character, reflect
my personal convictions and have
my hearty approval.
1t is difficult, however, in politi-
cal campaign to fix popular atten-
ton 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 protective tariff duties now in
force shall be so reduced as to de-
stroy their efficacy, or whether these
duties shall be retained, with such
notifications and adjustments as
shall better adapt them to the great
end of protecting the vast and inn
portant Industries OF the whole coun-
try.
The Republican platform, while
recognizing the necessity of reduc-
ing the revenue, declares that this
reduction must not be made ut the
expense of these industries and Of
American labor.
The American people have now en-
joyed 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 q quarter ola century they
have realized degree of industrial
and financial prosperity unprece
denied in this country and never
equalled in any other.
The pressing reason given for once
again trying the old experiment of a
revenue tariff without protection as
motive or end, is that the present
tariff has produced and is producing
surplus in the treasury. But is it
not easily within the wisdom Of Con-
gress to adjust the national income
to the national expenditure without
sacrificing or even imperiling an in
dustrial system which has brought
untold advantages to the entire coun-
try? Admitting that the present
tariff, by lapse OF time and the large
expansion of trade which it has stim-
ulated, needs revision, is it not wiser
and more patriotic to revise it with
careful regard to the interest of
protection, than with the purpose of
lessening its protective features?
These are some of the questions
which must be answered at the ma
tional polls in November. For my
self, as citizen and as candidate,
/ do not hesitate to declare that, from
long observation, am an unwaver-
ing friend of the protective system.
In a business life, now extending
over forty years, / have witnessed
and compared the effect upon the
country of a revenue tariff, tending
to free trade, with protective tariff
encouraging home industries. Under
the former the development of the
country has always been arrested,
while under the latter it has uniform
ly 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 expand
ing opportunities on the other. Free
trade would open America to compe-
ton with the whole world protec
ton 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 successful trade,