People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-10-07
CLEVELAND'S LETTER.
The Ex-President's Letter Of Ac-
ceptance Published.
Hr. Cleveland Gives His Views on the Tar
in, the Force Bill, Finance, Civil
Service and Other National
Matters.
Cleveland's Acceptance.


cepting the presidential nomination by
the democratic party. 1t IS as follows:
Hon. William L. Wilson and others, commit
tee etc:
Gentlemen: In responding to your formal
notification Of my nomination TO the presi-
1ency by the national democracy, hope may
be permitted to say at the outset that contin-
ned reflection and observation have confirmed
me in my adherence to the opinions which l
have heretofore plainly and publicly declared
touching the questions involved in the canvass.
This is time above all others when these
questions should be considered in the light Of.
tOrded by sober apprehension Of the principles
upon which our government Is based and a
clear understanding OF the relation it bears 10
the people for whose benefit II was created
We shall thus be supplied with test by which
the value Of any proposition relating to the
maintenance and administration OF our govern.
ment can be ascertained and by which the JUS
tice and honesty Of every political question can
be judged. II doctrines or theories are pre-.
scented which do not satisfy this test lOval
Americans must pronounce them false and mis-
chievous.
The protection of the people in the exclusive
use and ENJOYMENT Of their property and earn
ings cOncededly constitutes the special purpose
and mission Of our free government This de.
sign is so interviewer with the structure Of our
plan OF rule that failure TO protect the citizen
In such use and enjoyment or its unjustihable
ammunition by the government itself is a be-
trayal Of the peoples trust
The Tariff
We nave, however, undertaken 10 build
great nation upon plan especially our own.
To maintain it and TO furnish through its agen-
cy the means for the accomplishment of nation.
al objects. the American people are willing
through federal taxation to surrender part OF
their earnings and income. Tariff LEGISLATION
presents a familiar form Of federal taxation.
Such legislation results assuredly in a 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 palpa-
bly, 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 justifl-
able when laid and collected for the purpose of
our government and furnishing the
means for the accomplishment of its legitimate
purposes and functions. This is taxation I'M
der the operation Of a tariff for revenue II &C.
cords with the professions of American free in.
and its justice and honesty answer
the test supplied by correct appreciation of
the principles upon which these institutions
rest This theory Of tariff legislation mani
testify enjoinS strict economy in public expendi.
lures and their limitation to legitimate public
uses, inasmuch as it exhibits as absolute ex-
tortiOn and exaction By way OF taxation from
the substance Of the people beyond the necessi-
ties of a careful and proper administration Of
government
Opposed to this theory the dogma is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is justifa-
BILE for the express purpose and intent OF there
by promoting especial interests and enter.
prises Such proposition is so clearly con.
trary TO the spirit OF our constitution and so
directly encourages the disturbance 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. patri-
otto devotion 10 country and sincere regard
for those who toll been So BETRAYED to the
support of a perniciOus doctrine. In its
behalf, the plea that our infant industries
should be fostered, did service until discred-
lied by our stalwart growth: then followed the
of a terrible war, which made our
people needless Of the opportunities for Interior
schemes afforded by their willing and patriotic
payment OF unprecedented tribute: aud now.
after long period Of peace. when our over
burdened countrymen ask for a relief and a
restoration to fuller enjoyment OF their in
comes and earnings, they are met by the claim
that tariff taxation is an American system, the
continuance of which is necessary in order that
high wages may be paid to our working men
and home market be provided for our farm
products
These pretenses should no longer deceive
The truth is that such system is directly
BY every sentiment Of Justice and
fairness OF which Americans are pre,eminently
proud 1t is also true that while our working
men and farmers can the least Of all our people
defend themselves against the harder home life
wmcn such tariff taxation DEGREES, the work
ingman suffering from the importation and EN-.
OF pauper labor instigated by his pro-
tessed friends and seeking security for his in.
terests in organized cooperation still waits for
division OF the advantages secured TO his en-
ployer under cover of generous solicitude for
his wages, while the farmer is learning that the
prices OF his products are fixed in foreign mar.
kets. where he suffers from competition in.
vlted and built up by the system he is asked TO
support.
Inc struggle for unearned advantage az the
doors Of the government tramples on the rights
OF those who patiently rely upon assurances of
American equality. Every governmental con.
cesSlon to clamorous favorites invites corrup-
ton in political affairs by encouraging the ex.
pendlture OF money to debauch suffrage in sup.
port OF policy directly favorable to private
and selfish gain. This in the end must stranrle
patriotism and weaken popular confidence in
the rectitude Of republican institutions.
Enough the subject Of tariff legislation in.
VoiVes question Of markets il also involves a
question of morals We cannot with impunity
permit injustice to faint the spirit Of right and
equity, which is the life of our republic and we
shall fail to reach our national desting II greed
and selfshness lead the way.
VeullluS tneSe uuInS Inc national demOc-
racy Will seek by the application Of Just and
sound principles 10 eQualize TO our people the
blessings due them from the government thew
support; to promote among our countrymen a
closer community Of interests cemented by
patriotism and national pride and to point out
iair feid 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. Thonoh
we oppose the theory that tariff laws NAV be
passed having for their object the granting OF
discriminating and unfair government aid to
private ventures, We wage no exterminatino
war against any American interests We he.
heve readjustment can be accomplished in ac.
cordance with the principles we profess withou,
disaster or demolition We believe that the
advantages Of freer raw material should he ac.
corded TO our manufacturers and we contem.
plate fair and careful distribution Of 7eces.
sary tariff burdens rather than the precipita.
ton Of free trade
We anticipate with calmness the m;srenre.
sentation OF our motives and PURPOSES insti.
gated by selhshness which seeks to hold in
unrelenting grasp its unfair advantage under
present tariff laws We will rely upon the in.
telligence OF our fellow countrymen to reisc,