Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-09-29
CLEvELAND'S POSITION.
1t Is Defined to the Country in
His Letter of Acceptance.
TARIFF REFORM THE GREAT ISSUE

dency Says That Free Trade Is Impos-
sible-His Views on the Elections Bill.
Pension and Money Questions.
BUzzARD's BAY, Mass, Sept. 27.-Grovel
Cleveland's letter accepting the Democratic
nomination for president of the United
States has been given out for publication.
MIR. Cleveland handed the document to ex.
Postmaster Dickinson, who in turn gave it
to the printer for transmission to the press.
The letter is as follows:
Cleveland's Letter of Acceptance.
GRAY GABLES, Sept. 20.
To Hon. William l.. Wilson and Others Com.
mittee:
Gentlemen-In responding to your formal
notihcation of my nomination to the presi.
dency by the national Democracy, l hope |
may be permitted to say at the outset that con-
tinued reflection and observation have con.
frmed me in my adherence to the opinions
which have heretofore plainly and publicly
declared, touching the questions involved in
the canvass.
This is a time above all others when these
questions should be considered in the light af-
forded by sober apprehension of the princi-
pies upon which our government is based and
clear understanding of the relation it bears
to the people for whose benefit 1t was created
We shall thus be supplied with test by which
the value of any proposition relating to the
maintenance and administration of our gov
ernment can be ascertained, and by which the
justice and honesty Of every political question
can be judged. If doctrines or theories are
presented which do not satisfy this test loyal
Americansm must pronounce them false and
mischievous.
The protection of the people in the exclusive
use and enjoyment Of their property and earn
.1ngs concededly constitutes the especial pur-
pose and mission of our free government. This
design is so interviewer with the structure of
our plan of rule that failure to protect the citi
zen IN such use and enjoyment. or their unjusti.
fable diminution by the government itself, is
betrayal of the peoples trust.
We have, however, undertaken to build a
great nation upon plan especially our own.
10 maintain it and to furnish through its
agency the means for the accomplishment of
national objects the American people are will.
ing through federal taxation to surrender n
part OF their earnings and income.
IarlH legislation presents familiar form of
federal taxation. Such legislation results az
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 diminution of the
property rights Of the people, are only justifia-
BILE when laid and collected for the purpose of
the means for the accomplishment of its legti.
mate purposes and functions. This is taxation
under the operation of tariff for revenue II
accords with the professions of American free
institutions, and its justice and honesty answer
the test supplied by a correct appreciation of
the principles upon which these institutions
rest.
Protection.
This theory Of tariff legislation manifestlv
enJoins strict economy in public expenditures
and their limitation to legitimate public uses,
inasmuch as it exhibits as absolute extortion
any exaction, by way of taxation, from the sub
stance of the people beyond the necessities of a
careful and proper administration of govern.
ment.
Opposed to this theory the dogma is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is justfia.
BILE for the express purpose and intent of
thereby promoting especial interests and enter
prises. Such a proposition is so clearly con-
trary to the spirit of our constitution and so
directly encourages the distur bance by selfish
ness and greed OF patriotic sentiment that its
statement would rudely shock our people if
they had not already been insidiously allured
from the safe landmarks of principle Never
have honest desire for national growth, patriot
lc devotion to country and sincere regard for
those who toll been so betrayed to the support
of pernicious doctrine.
In its behalf the plea that our infant indus
tries should be fostered did service until dis
credited by our stalwart growth: then followed
the exigencies of terrible war which made
our people needless of the opportunities for
ulterior schemes afforded by their willing and
patriotic payment Of unprecedented tribute:
and now, after long period of peace, when
our overwhelmed countrymen ask for relief
and restoration to a fuller enjoyment of their
incomes and earnings, they are met by the
claim that tariff taxation for the sake of pro
lection is an American system the continuance
OF whlch is necessary in order that high wages
hn Tni IN nttr L. ys,,
market be provided for our farm products
These pretenses should no longer deceiva
The truth is that such system is directly an
tagonized by every sentiment of Justice and
fairness of which Americans are pre- -eminentIv
proud. 1t is also true that while our WORKING
men and farmers can the least of all our nao
pie defend themselves against the harder homo
life which such tariff taxation DEGREES. the
workingman suffering from the importation
and employment of pauper labor instigated by
his professed friends, and seeking security for
his interests in organized cooperation, still
waits for division of the advantages secured
to his employer under cover Of generous So
licitude for his wages while the farmer is
learning that the prices of his products are
fixed in foreign markets. where he suffers from
a competition invited and built up by the sys-
tenn he is asked to support.
Tariff Reform.
The struggle for unearned advantage at the
of those who patiently rely upon assurances of
American equality. Every governmental con
cession to clamorous favorites invites corrup
ton in political affairs by encouraging the ex
penditure of money to debauch suffrage in sup
port of policy directly favorable to private
and selfish gain This in the end must strangle
patriotism and weaken popular confidence in
the rectitude of republican institutions.
Though the subject Of tariff legislation in
wolves question OF markets, 1t also involves a
question of morals. We cannot with impunity
permit injustice to taint the spirit of right and
equity which is the life of our republic, and we
shall fail to reach our national destiny if greed
and selfishness lead the way.
Recognizing these truths. the national Democ-
racy will seek by the application of Just and
sound principles to equalze to our people the
blessings due them from the government thew
support, to promote among countrymen a
closer community of interests cemented by pa.
triotsm and national pride, and to point out a
fair field where prosperous and diversified
American enterprise may grow and thrive in
the wholesome atmosphere of American indus
try, ingenuity and intelligence.
Tariff reform Is still our purpose. Though
xya onnosa the theory that taritf laws NAV ho