Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1892-09-29
GROVER CLEVELAND.
His Letter Accepting III Presidential
Nomination.

His Letter Accepting the Presidential
Nomination.
NEW YORK, Sept. &c the follow
ing is ex-President Cleveland's letter
accepting the nomination as Demo
cratlc candidate for President of the
United States:
To Hon. Wm. l.. Wilson and others,
Committee, etc:
GENTLEMEN-In responding to
your formal notification of my nomi-
nation to the Presidency by the Ma
%tional Democracy, I hope l may be
permitted to say at the outset that
continued reflection and observation
have confirmed me in my adherence
to the opinions which l have here
tofore plainly and publicly declared
touching the questions involved in
all the canvass. This is the time,
above all others, when these ques-
lions should be considered in the
light afforded by a sober apprecia
ton of the principles upon which
ou1 Government is based and a clear
ur 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 admi istration
of our Government a be ascertain
ed and by which the justice and
honesty Of every political question
can be judged. If doctrines or the
ories are presented which do not
satisfy this test, loyal Americanism
must pronounce them false and mis-
chievous.
The protection of the people m
the exclusive use and enjoyment of
their property and earnings consti-
Tut an especial purpose and mission
of II free government. This design
is SO interviewer with the structure
of our plan of rule that a failure to
protect the citizens in such use and
enjoyment is an unjustifable dimi-
mutton of Government itself, is a be-
trayal of the peoples trust. We have
however, undertaken to build a
great nation upon d plan especially
our own, We to maintain it and to
furnish through its agency the
means for the accomplishment of
national objects.
The American people are willing,
Through federal taxation, to surren-
der part of their earnings and in
come. Tariff legislation presents a
familiar form Of federal taxation.
tSuch legislation results as surely in
a tax upon the daily life of our peo-
pie as a tribune 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 only justitiable when laid and
COLLECTED for the purpose of main
tanning our Government and fur
nishlng means for the accom-
plishment of its legitimate pur-
poses and functions. This is tax
alton under operation of tariff
fo, revenue. 1t accords with the
professions Of American free insti-
buttons and its justice and honesty
answer the test supplied by a correct
depreciation of the principles upon
which these institutions rest. This
theory of tariff legislation manifest
ly e%njoins strict economy in public
Expenditures and their Limitation to
Legitimate public uses, in as much as
it exhibits as absolute extortion, any
exaction ty way of taxation from the
substance of the people beyond the
necessaries of careful and proper adj
ministration of the Government,
Opposed to this theory the dogma
is now boldly presented that tariff
taxation is justifiable for the express
purpose and intent of thereby pro-
noting especial interests and enter
prises. Such a proposition is so
clearly contrary to the spirit of our
Constitution and SO directly
ages the disturbance by selfishness
and greed of patriotic sentiment that
its statement would rudely shock
our people, if they had not already
been i%nsidiously allured from the
safe landmark of principle. Meyer
haye honest desires for national
growth, patriotic devotion to oun
try and sincere regard for those who
toll been so betrayed to the support
of pernicious doctrine. In its be-
half the plea that our infant indus.
tries should be fostered did service
until discredited by our stalwart
lgrowth. Then followed the exis-
tence of a terrible war, which made
our people needless of the opportuni-
ties for Interior schemes afforded bv
Their willing and patriotic payment
of unprecedented tribute. And now,
latter a long period of peace. when
Jour overburdened countrymen ask
for relief and restoration to a fuller
enjoyment of their incomes and earn
Iings, they are met by the claim that
tariff taxation for the sake of pro-
lection is an American system, the
continuance of which is necessary in
order that high wages may be paid
to our workingmen and a.home mar
ket be provided for our farm pro-
ducts. These ~pretenses should not
longer deceive. The truth Is that
such a system is directly antagonised
by every sentiment of justice and
fairness, of which Americans are
pre-eminently proud. It is also true