West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1892-10-13

Nor Darkening OF Meanin9-He
Stands Firmly Upon the Plat
form and Defends It.
GRAY GABLES, Mass, September o.
The following is the letter OF acceptance OF
Hon. Grover Cleveland, made public 10.
night
10 Bon. ". L. wilson and others. Commit
tce, &C.:
CrNTLENUs In responding 20 your
formal notification OF my nomination TO the
Presidency by the National Democracy. l
houc j snay be permitted TO say AT the out
ton have confirmed mo In my adherence to
the opinions which i have heretofore plain
~ ond publicly declared touching the ques-
ucus Involved In the canvass.
This is a time, above all others. when
these questions should bc considered ia the
hgne Afforded by sober apprehension OF
tho principles upon which our government
iscaseu, and clear understanding of the
relation IL bears 20 the people for whose
bereSt IL was created. We shall thus be
supplied with test by which the value OF
anyProposition relating 10 the maintenance
ma administration of our government can
be ascertained and by which the justice
and honesty OF every political question can
bejudged. il doctrines or theories are pre-
eented which do not saustify this test, loyal
Amcricnnism must pronounce them false
and mischievous.
The protection Of the people in the ex
elusive use and enjoyment eff their property
ana earnings, concededly constitutes the
especial purpose and mission of our free
government. This design is 80 interviewer
with the structure of our plan of rule that
failure 10 protect the citizen in such use
and enjoyment, or their unjustinable dimi-
rution by the government itself is oetray-
a. n the peoples trust. We have, however,
undertaken 70 build great nation upon
piur especially our own. To maintain IL
aud to furnish through its agency the means
Tor the Accomplishment OF national objects,
the American people are willing through
federal taxation TO surrender part of their
earnings and income.
TARIFF LEGISLATION PRESENTS
familiar form of federal taxation. Such
legisiauon results as surely in a tax upon
the daily lilo OF our people as tho tribute
raid directly into the hand OF the tax gath
erev We feel the burden Of these tariff
taxes too palpably TO be persuaded by any
Ecphistry that they do not exist, or are paid
by foreigners. Such taxes, representing
diminution OF the property rights OF the
people, are only iustihabie when laid and
collected for the purpose of maintain
Ing our Government and furnish.
ing the means for the accomplish
Jncat OF its legitimate PURPOSES
and functions. This is taxation under the
operation Of q tariff for revenae. 1t accords
With the professions OF American free in
situations and its Justice and honesty an
awer the test supplied by correct appre-
cation OF the principles upon which these
Institutions rest. This theory of tariff leg
tslatiou mauifestly enioins strict economy
in pu8lic expenditures and their limitation
t0xegItitimate public uses inasmuch as it
exeisits as absolute extortion, any exaction
by way of TAXATION from the substance of
the people beyond the necessities of a
careful andproper administration of gov
ern1nent
Opposed TO this theory tho dogma is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is JUS
tiLable for the express purpose and intent
OF thereby promoting especial interests and
enterprises. Such proposition is so clear
~ contrary 10 the spirit or our constitution
and so directly encourages the disturbance
~ seihshness and greed, of patriotic senti-
ment that its statement would rudely shock
Cur people II they had not already been in
siduously allured from the
SAFE LANDMARKS OF PRINCIPLE.
Never have honest desire for national
growth. patriotic devotion to the country
and sincere regard for those who toll, been
30 betrayed to the support of pernicous
doctrine In It's behalf. the plea that our
Infant industries should be fostered did
service until discredited by our stalwart
grow IA; then followed the exigencies OF a
terrible war, which made our peo-
pis needless OF the opportunities
wiling and patriotic payment Of unprece.
0auted tribute; and now, after q long
period OF peace, when our overburdened
cOlntrymen ask for relief aud restoration
70 Iuli enjoyment Of their incomes and
earnings, they are met by the claim that
TAIN taxation for the sake of protection is
an American system, the continuance OF
which Is necessary in order that high
wages may be paid 10 our working men
ena = home market be provided for our
farm products.
Thcse preteuses should no longer de-
carve. The truth is that such a system is
oirectly antagonized by every sentiment OF
5uslca AID fairness OF which Americans
are pre-eminently proud. IL is also true
mat Wine our WOrkingmen and farmers
cen the lsast OF oil our people. defend them
selves against the harder home life which
such tariff taxation DEGREES, the working
man suffering from the importation and
employment Of pauper labor instigated by
nla prolessUd friends aud seeking security
1or ius interests IN organized cooperation.
BILL wits for adiYislou OF the advantages
secoT9 81 70 bis employer under cover OF a
generous Bohcitude for his wages, while
TnH FAHNEH Is LEARNING
that the prices Of his products are fixed IN
fore. sn markets. where be suffers from a
competition invited and built up By the
~ gm he is a8Red 10 support
IHc struggle for uDearned advantage At
re cqofs " tho government tramuies
rF,a mo rights Of those whO patiently RELY
lpon assurances 81 American equality
Ever governmental concession 70 clamor-
Gus iayorites nvites corruption fu political
taair7 ~ encouraging tho expenditure of
81 oeoauCu outrage In support OF "A
pcecy directly favorable TO private and
1lAe1 eau- THIS in tue end must strargle
patrct1u aud weaken popular confidence
20 leetllJdc ~ Republican Institutions.
honEh enc subject Of tariff eRi8ati5n
InHlI rel question OF markets 81 aleo in