Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-10-19
TWO VITAL ISSUES
And Both Parties Plainly on
Record Regarding Them.
WHITELAw REID WRITES A LETTER

His Views On the Questions Before the
People Given at Some Length-Princi-
pies, Not Men, at War, and the Tariff
aud Currency the Important Matters of
Discussion-A Few Comments On the
Force BiII-A Comprehensive Synop-
Sis of the DocumentAOther Political
Matters.
NEW YORK, Oct. 19.-Hon. Whitelaw
Reid's letter accepting the Republican
nomination for vice president was made
public last night. 1t is addressed to Hon.
w. T. Durbin, Anderson, Ind, and is dated
Ophir Farm, Oct. 49, 1892. In it Mr.. Reid
says:
"When the nomination with which the
national convention had honored me was
formally announced by your committee, l
accepted it ut once. In doing so / accepted
also the principles set forth in the resolu-
tions adopted by the convention as the basis
of the appeal to the popular suffrage.
There will be no misunderstanding as to
the purposes of the Republican party in
this contest, and no doubt as 20 the atti-
tude of its candidates. What it intends it
has set forth in language that cannot be
mistaken, and they viii strive, by all the
lawful means in their power. to enforce its
plainly expressed will.
Platforms Important This Year.
"The party platforms-so called-are
more important this year than usual. Both
the leading candidates have once command
ed the approval of the American people in
its highest form of expression. Attention
is therefore concentrated less on the men
themselves and more on the principles each
is put forward to represent, and would,
in case of election, be required to carry
out. 1t is obvious that the really vital
issues which this year divide parties and
demand a popular decision are those re-
lating to the tariff and the currency. For
tunately both sides have stated their posi-
tions on these subjects with directness, SIM
plicity and frankness.
The Two Platforms Compared.
ave favor a protective tariff and when in
full power made the present one. Our op-
ponents favor a tariff for revenue only and
propose the repeal of the present one. We
that the tariff should cover the
difference in the cost of home and foreign
product caused by the difference in the
home and foreign wages for the labor en-
ployed upon it. Oar onpcueLts distinctly
repudiated the pfopoS,jin that American
wages should rG considered in the matter,
and declared instead bat a tariff levied for
anything but rcl.u.J. only was unconSti-
tutional. We DlaIhtain tlsat the present
IA 'iff has worked Wei; Jhit it has devel-
Dped American manufacturers, steadied
and increased American wages and pro-
Iected the general prosperity. Our oppo-
nents deny that there has been any increase
Of prosperity under the present tariff, de-
clare that wages have been reduced, and
1enounce the Republican policy which, as
hey say, fosters no other industry so much ,
rs that of the sheriff. We favor the sys
1em by which, when we think the country
ready for the reduction or abolition of du- :
Jies, insist upon getting corresponding
md reciprocal advantages fromforeiSn coun-
,ries as the condition of their chi joying these :
advantages in our own market. Our oppo- !
lents denounce this reciprocity a sham, /
md therefore inferentially pledge them :
selves to its repeal
Cover the Whole Question.
The writer says that the issues thus :
sharply presented cover the whole tariff
question, including constitutionality, ex-
relation To wages, practical work q
ngs and the reciprocity idea presented in >
,he Mckinley bill. He says the constitu- !
is sufficiently demonstrated by the
act that such Democrats as Andrew Jack 3
on upheld il and the first congress passed
protective tariff bill. AS to expediency,
hat has been vindicated by the last thirty
ears experience, which has been the
most wonderful period of financial success
,ver unheard-of difficulties in the record of
modern civilization.