Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-27
MIR. CLEVELAND's LETTER.
The Principle. of the Democratic Party
Euunciatetl.

me Principles of the Democratic Parry
Enunciated.
TARIFF FOR REVENUE, BUT No ExrERMrxAT-
ING WAR wAGED oN AMERICAN INDUsTRIEs-
FEDERAL ELECTIONS BILLS oPPosED--cIv1L
SERVICE REFORM ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
IN GOVERNMENT ANTAGoSIzED.
! The following is the letter of Grover Cleve-
land issued yesterday afternoon accepting the
domination the dem Jcratic candidate for
Presiden; OF ;he United States:
/ To Hon. Vim. L. Wilson and Others. Commit
tee. &c:
Gentlemen: IN responding 10 your formal
| notification of my nomination to the presi-
dency b. the national democracy. hope may
be permitted TO say at the outset that con-
| tinued reflection and observation have con-
hrmel me in my adherence to The opinion
which have heretofore plainly and publicly
declared. touching the questions involved in
the canvass.
| This ia a time. above all others. when these
| Questions should be considered in the Sght af-
| forded by . sober apprehension of the rlncl-
| pies upon which Our government is based. and
clear understanding Of the relation it bears
/ to the people for whose benefit it was created
{ We shall thus be supplied with test by which
/ the value Of any proposition relating to the
maintenance and adnIinrS ration Of our goTeru-
loent can be ascertained. and by which the
justice and honesty Of every political question
can be judged. Ii doctrines or theories are
l Presented which do not satisfy this test, loyal
/ Americanism must pronounce them false and
mi-Chieyous.
/ The protection Of :he people in the exclusive
| use and enjoyment of their property and earn
/ ings concededly constitutes the especial purpose
and mission of our free government IhI7 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 their unjustlila-
/ bic diininution by the government itself Is n
betrayal of the peoples trust.
| We have. however. undertaken to build a
| great nation upon a plan especially our own.
| To maintain 1t 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 a
part of their earnings and income.
TARIFF FOR REVENUE.
Tariff legislation presents familiar form of
federal taxation. Such legislation results as
surely in tax upon the daily life of
people as the tribute paid directly into the
hands of the tax gatherer. We feel the burden
| Of these tariff taxes too palpably TO be per-
suaded by any sOphistry that they do not ex-
list or paid by foreigners.
such taxes. representing dimnution of the
U "
fable when laid and collected for the purpose
OF maintaining our government and furnishing
the means for the accomplishment of its legiti-
mate purposes and functions. This is taxation
under the operation of a tariff for revenue.
1t accords with the professions of American
free institutions, and its justice and honesty
answer the test supplied by correct apprecia-
ton of the principles upon which these insti-
tutiOns rest.
This theory Of tariff legislation Slanfestly
enjoins strict economy in public expenditures
and their limitation to legitimate public uses
inasmuch as 1t exhibits absolute extortion
any eXactiOn, by way of taxation, from the
substance of the people beyond the necessities
of a careful and proper administration OF gov
eTnment.
Opposed to this theory, the dogma is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is iusti-
fable for the express purpose and intent of
thereby promoting especial interests and enter
sprtses- Such a proposition is SO clearly con-
trary TO the spirit of our Constitution, and
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
patriotic devotion to country and sincere re-
gard for those who toll been so betrayed to the
support of pernicious doctrine. In its be-
half the plea that our infant industries should
be fOstered did service until discredited by our
stalwart growth. Then followed the exigencies
of terrible war. which made our people heed
less of the opportunities for Interior schemes
afforded by their willing and patriotic payment
of unprecedented tribute, and now, after a long
period Of peace, when our overburdened coun-
trymen 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 protection is an American sys-
tem, the continuance Of which is necessary in
order that high wages may be paid to our work
ingmen and home market be provided for
our farm products.
These pretenses should no longer deceive
The truth is that such system is antagoniZed
by every sentiment of justice and fairness, of
which Americans are pre-eminently proud. 1t
is also true that while our workingmen and
farmers can, the least of all our people, defend
themselves against the harder home life which
such tariff taxation DEGREES. the workingman
suffering from the importation and employ
ment Of pauper labor instigated by his pro-
fessed friends, and seeking security for his in
terests in organized cooperation. still waits for
a 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
markets. where he suffers from a competition
invited and built up by the system he is asked
TO support
The struggle for unearned advantage at the
doors OF the government tramples on the rights
OF those who patiently rely upon assurances of
American equality. Every governmental con-
cessiOn to clamOrous favorites invites corrup-
tion 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, il also involves a
question of morals. We cannot with impunitv
permit injustice to faint the spirit of right and
equity. which is the life OF our republic, and
We shall fail 20 reach our national destiny if
greed and selfshness lead the way.
Recognizing these truths the national
democracy will seek by the application of Just
and sound principles to equalize to our people
the blessings due them from the government.
thew support. to promote among our country
men closer community of interests cemented
by patriotism and national pride, and to point
out a fair field where prosperous and diversi-
ned American enterprise may grow and thrive
IN the wholesome atmosphere Of American in
dustry ingenuity and intelligence.
Nc WAR on AMERICAN INDUSTRY.
Though we oppose the theory that tariff laws
ray be passed having FOR their object the
granting of discriminating and unfair gov