The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-10-12
GROVER CLEVELAND.

.
accepting the nomination as the Democratic
candidate for President of the United States
has been made public. 1t is as follows:
To the Hon. William L. Wilson and Others,
Committee etc.:
GENTLEMEN-In responding to your for
NAL notification Of my nomination 10 the
Presidency by the National Democracy, 1
hope may be permitted to say at the out
sc that continued reflection and observa-
.i,n have confirmed me in my adherence to
r.:s opinions, which have heretofore plain
lv and publicly declared, touching ths ques-
Lions involved in the canvass.
This is a time, above all others, when
these questions should be considered IN the
hight afforded by sober apprehension OF
the principles upon which our Governments
Is based, and clear understanding OF the
relation it bears to the people for whose
benefit it was created. We shall thus be
supplied with a test by which the value Of
any proposition relating to the maintenance
and administration of our Government can
DE ascertain I'd and by which tho justice and
honesty Of every political question can be
Judged. If doctrines or theories are pre-.
sented which do not satisfy this test, loyal
Americans must pronounce these false and
mischievous.
The protection Of the people in tie exclu-
-sive use and enjoyment Of their property
and earnings, concededly constitutes the
especial purpose and mission OF our free Gov
.ernnenr. This design Is so interviewer
with the structure Of our plan of rule, that
failure to protect the citizen in such uss and
enjoyment, or their unjustihaole diminuton
by the Government itself, is betrayal OF
the peoples trust
We have. however, undertaken to build
n great Nation upon a plan especially our
own. To maintain it and to furnish through
its agency the means for the accomplish
menG of National objects, the American
PEOPLE are willing, through Federal taxa
don, to surrender part OF their earnings
and income.
Tariff legislation presents familiar form
OF Federal taxation. Such legislation re.
suits as surely in tax upon the daily life OF
our people as the tribute paid directly into
the hand Of the tax gatherer. We feel the
burden of these tariff taxes too palpably to
be persuaded by any sophistry that they do
not exist or are paid by foreigners.
Such taxes, representing a diminution OF
the property rights OF the people, are only
unsuitable when laid AMI collected for the
purpose of maintaining our Government, and
furnishing the means for the accomplish
ment of its legitimate purposes and func-
ztions. This is taxation under the operation
OF tariff for revenue. It accords with the
and its Justice and honesty answer. the test
suppliel by correct application Of theprin.
-ciples upon which these institutions rest.
This theory Of tariff legislation mauifestly
.enjoins strict economy in public eIpendi-
lures and their limitation to legitimate pub
lie uses, inasmuch as it exhibits as absolute
.extortion any exaction, by way OF taxation,
from the substance Of the people, beyond
the necessities Of q careful and proper ad.
miulsration Of Government.
Opposed to this theory the dogma is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is JUS
tiaable for the express purpose and intent
of thereby promoting especial interests and
enterprises. Such proposition is 80 clearly
contrary to the spirit Of our Constitution
and so directly encourages the disturb
.ance by selfshness and greed Of patri
otic sentiment that its statement would
.rudely shock our people, II they
aiiurea from the safe landmarks OF priu-
ciple. Never have honest desire for Ma
tional growth, patriotic devotion to country,
and sincere regard for thoss who toll, been
80 betrayed to the support OF a
psrnicious doctrine. In its behalf,
che plea that our infant industries
should be forstered, did service until
rdiscreiitei by our stalwart growth; then
Followed the e1igencies OF terrible war
portunities for ulterior schemes afforded
by their willing and patriotic pay
ment of unprecedented tribute; and now,
after long period OF peace, when our over
burdened countrymen ask for relief and a
restoration to fuller enjoyment Of their in
comes and earnings, they are met by the
claim that tariff taxation for the sake Of
prote ction is an American system, the con-
tinuance of which is necessary 10 order that
ho fr Nr,r n 1,
and home market be provided for our farm
products.
These pretences should no long eer deceive.
The truth is that such q system Is directly
.antagonized by every sentiment OF justice
and fairness Of which Americans are pre-
-eminently prou1. 1t is also true that while
our workiugmen and farmers can. the least
of all our people, defend the themselves
agairst the harder home life which such
tariff taxation decrees, the workingman
suffering from the importation and
employment Of pauper labor insti'
gated by his professed friends, and seeking
security for his interests in organized co
operation, still waits for division OF the
advantages secured to his employer under
cover OF generous solicitude for his wages,
while the farmer is learning that the price:
of his products are fixed in foreign markets,
where he suffers from a competition invited
and built up by the system he IS asked u
support.
The struggle for unearned advantage a
the doors OF the Government trampies ol
the rights Of those who patiently rs'v upon
assurances of American equehty. Every
governmental concession to amorouS Ia
vorites invites corruption in political afairs
by encouraging the expenditure OF money "
debaucn suffrage in support OF pohcy M
rectly favorable to private and selfish gam
This in the end must straugle patriotism
and weaken popular confidence in the reel
tade Of republican institutions.
Though the subject Of tariff legislation in-
wolves a question of markets, it also IT.
wolves a question OF morals. We cannot
with immunity permit injustic, t. teint the
-spir;t of right and equity which is the life
.otir Republic; and we shall fail TO raacl on
National destiny IL greed an ss!ttshnssS l'a
the way.
Recognizing these truths, tho National D.
r,ocT-cT will eecl: h.: r., c-:c.ic-t;-. O. -
an0 sound principles to equalize to oar p'o
rle the blessings due them from the coVern
1uent they support, to promote amon- ou
rnuutrvmen O closer community OF interest,"
cemented by patriotism and National orlue
and to point out fair field where proSael
Gus and diversified American enterprise may
grow and thrive in the wholesome atmo'
phere Of American industry. ingenuity an
Intelligence.
Tariff reform is still our purpose. Thou Il
We oppose the theory that tariff laws MAJ
he passed having for their object the grant
inc of DISCRIMINATING and unfair govern
meutal aid to private ventures, we wage nc
-exterminating war against any American
interests. We believe a readjustment cal
be accomplished, in accordance with tn;
rrincioles we profess. without disaster o
demolition. We believe that the advantages