The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-10-19
A CANDIDATES LETTER.
Whltelaw Reid's Formal Letter of
Acceptance.
TARIFF AND THE CURRENCY.
a Truthful and skiiiful Presentation Of
the Issues of the Campaign and the
Prosperous Condition of the Country
Under the Projection system.


pointed to notify him of his nomination
as Repu blican candidate for the vice.
presidency. In his letter Mr.. Reid state.
that when his nomination was formally
announced by the COMMITTEES, he had ac-
cepted 1t at once, and in doing so had ac-
cepted also the principles set forth in
the resolutions adopted by the conven-
tion. To do other or less than this is,
says Mr.. Reid, to any honorable man, an
impossibility. To accept party's nomi-
nation without intending to carry out
its principles would be as dishonorable
and as criminal as to procure goods un-
der false pretences.
Mr.. Reid then continues substantially
rs follows: There will be no misunder-
standings as TO the purposes of the Re-
publican party In this contest, and no
doubt as to the attitude OF its cand idates.
What IL intends it has set forth in Lam
ruage that cannot be mistaken; and they
will strive, by all the lawful means in
their power, to enforce its plainly ex-
pressed will. Since my interview with
your committee, further reflection and
careful attention to the arguments on
both sides in the current public discus
sion have confirmed my belief i'm the wis
dom of the Republican declarations, as
we'll as In the lucid candor with which
thoy nave Deen presented.
The party platforms are more import
ant this year than usual. Both the lead
ing candidates have once commanded the
approval of the American people in its
highest form of expression. Attention
Is therefore concentrated less on the men
themselves and moro on the principles
each il put forward to represent, and
would, In case OF election, be required to
carry out.
The declarations OF our opponents de-
mand stili closer scrutiny, since their
victory now would give them the first
opportunity they have had since 1859 10
put in practices their policy. Never, since
that date, have they had control ut once
both In the executive and legislative de-
partnents OF the government. This year
the election of a President clearly carries
with 1t majorities in both Houses OF Con-
grsss.
1t is obvious that In the common judc-
ment OF the people in all parts OF the
country, the really vital issues which
this year divide parties, and demand a
popular decision, are those relating TO
the tariff and the currency. The issues
mace between the rival candidates are
specially snarp and distinct.
We favor protective tariff, and, when
In full power, made the present one. Our
opponents favor tariff for revenue only,
and promise the repeal OF the present
one. We maintain that the tariff suoutd
cover the ifferoncc in the home and for
eign product, caused by the difference in
the home and foreign wages for the labor
employed upon it. Our opponents dis
tinctly repudiated the proposition that
American wages should be considered in
tho matter, and declared instead that a
tariff levied for anything but revenus
only was sunconstitutional.
As the London Times remarked, frrhis
policy, IL fairly and logically carried ~,
Is not 10 be distinguished from free 10
in the practical form in which we are ia
mifiar with II. III protective duties are |
unconstitutional, no financial legerde- |
main can produce any other "readjust-
ment" than that which would naturally |
follow tha removal OF all i'm posts tending |
tobolster u . particular branches of in
dustry and commerce."
Should the American people now
choose tho Republican candidates, the
present tariff would stand, or, when
insure closer conformity in practice 10
the principles on which 1t was made. III
our opponents should be chosen, their
Congress Is pledged to the repeal of the
present tariff and TO the adoption of one
arranged for revenue only, and their ex-
ecutive Is pledged TO the doctrine that a
tariff having regard also for American
wages IS unconstitutional, SO that the
only new one that could escape the presi-
dental veto must be of the kind which
the London Times considers equivalent
to free trade.
We favor the system by which, when
we think the country ready for the re-
duction or abolition OF duties, we insist
upon getting corresponding and reci-
procal advantages from foreign countries
a. the condition of their enjoying these
advantages In our own markets. Our OPP
pouents denounce this reciprocity az
sham, and therefore inferentially pledge
themselves to its repeal
The sharp issues thus presented for the
decision OF the American people cover
more ecomprehensively and more specin-
cally than ever before, the whole range OF
consioerations relating to q protective
tarin.
The constitutionality OF protective
tarin has heretofore been thought estab-
lished. tariff bill avowedly for-ast1,
and protection OF manu-.
features" was carried through the First
Congress By James Madison aud was
signed by George Washington. A third
Of century later, Andrew Jackson, in a
message to Congress, maintained the
OF the protective sys-
tenn.
The expedisncy OF n protective tarlr
has been vindicated by the experience OF
me past thirty years-the most wonder
heard OF difficulties In the record OF
modern civilization. Under 10 and by its
lid the Republican management OF our
finances has resulted in the largest paw
ment of q national debt in the shortest
lime known to history, and in the stimuli
'aneous development OF the industries of
The country and the prosperity OF the
people on scale without parallel.
Eight years ago, in mastery public
paper James u. Blaine called attention 10
The revelations OF the United States CEN
'us as TO the net results of the labor and
savings OF the American people under n
protective tariff The "true valueD of ali
me property In the United States. ex.
luding slaves, was set down in the con.
.us OF 1880 at fourteen thousand million I
dollars. In the census OF 1870 the true
Tsiue OF the property OF the United States
Vas set down at forty-four thousand
million dollars.
The property OF the United States has
seen further Increased in the last ten
Tesrs by fourteen thousand million dol.
srs. making an increase in the 20 vea,.
u Republican rule and a Repu blican pro.
ective tsrih OF four thousand million
lollars, against fourteen thousand mil
ions earned Ia the previous 24O veara Il,