Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-09-30
DEMOCRATIC DOCTRINE.
Ex-President Cleveland's Letter Of
Acceptance.
A VIGOROUS DOCUMENT.

The following is the letter of Grover
Cleveland accepting the nomination as the
Democratic candidate Tor President of the
United States:
TO Hon. Wm. l.. Wilson and Others, Com
mittee, Etc.--Gentiemen In responding 10
your formal notification Of my nomination
Ia the presidency by the national Democra.
cy, hope | may be permitted to say at the
outset that continued reflection and obser-
walton have confirmed me In my adherence
10 the opinions which | have heretofore
plainly and publicly declared touching the
questions involved in the canvass
This is the time above all others when
these questions should be considered in the
light afforded by sober apprehension of the
principles upon which our government is
based and clear understanding of the rea-
lion II bears TO the people for whose benefit
IL was created. We shall thus be supplied
with test by which the value of any prop
osition relating 10 the maintenance and ad.
ministratlon oil our government can be as.
certained, and by which the Justice and hon
csty OF every political question can be
Judged. II doctrines or theories are pre-.
s,ntcd which do not satisfy this test loyal
Americanlsm must pronounce them false
and mischievous.
The protection of the people In the exclu
slve use and enjoyment of their property
and earnings concededly constitutes the es
peclal purpose and mission Of our free gov
eminent. This design is so interviewer with
the structure OF our plan of rule that failure
10 protect the citizen in such use and enjoy
ment, or their unjustiflable diminution by
the government itself, is betrayal OF the
peoples trust.
VA has
great nation upon plan especially our own
To maintain II and TO furnish through its
agency the means Tor the accomplishment of
national objects, the American people are
willing through federal taxation 10 surren.
der part OF their earnings and income.
Iariif legislation presents familiar form
OF federal taxation. Such legislation results
as surely lin 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 papably to be per
suaded by any sophistry that they do not
exist, or are paid by foreigners.
Such taxes, representing a diminution of
the property rights Of the people, are only
jastifiable when laid and collected for the
purpose OF maintaining our government,
and furnishing the means for the accom-
plishment of its legitimate purposes and
alton OF a tariff for revenue II accords with
the professions of American free institutions
and It's justice and honesty answer the test
supplied by correct appreciation of the
principles upon which these institutions
rest.
This theory of tariff legislation manifestly
enjoins strict economy in public expendi.
lures and their Limitation 10 legitimate pub.
lie uses, inasmuch as II exhibits as absolute
rxtortion any exaction, by way of taxation,
from the substance Of the people beyond the
necessities OF careful and proper admins
tration OF government
Opposed TO this theory the dogma is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is jus.
utiable for the express purpose and intent OF
thereby promoting especial interests and en-.
ierprises. Such proposition is so clearly
contrary 70 the spirit of our constitution and
so directly encourages the disturbance by
selhshness and greed Of patriotic sentiment
that It's statement would rudely shock our
people II they had not already been insidi.
ously allured from the safe landmarks OF
principle. Never have honest desire for
national growth, patriotic devotion TO coun
try and sincere regard for those who toll
been 30 betrayed 10 the support of PERM.
cious doctrine. In its behalf the plea that
our infant industries should be fostered did
service until discredited by our stAlwart
growth then followed the exigencies of a ter.
rible war, which made our people needless of
the opportunities for Interior schemes afford.
I'd by their willing and patriotic payment of
unprecedented tribute, and now, after long
period OF peace, when our overburdened peo.
Pile ask for relief and a restoration 10 fuller
enjoyment OF their incomes and earnings, |
they are met by the claim that tariff taxa. |
tiUn for the sake of protection Ii an Amer. |
can system, the continuance OF which is nc. |
cessary In order that high wages may be
paid 10 our workingmen and home mar.
ket be provided for our farm products
These pretenses should no longer deceive.
The truth is that such system rs directly
aniagonzed by every sentiment of justice
and fairness, Of which Americans are pre-
eminently proud. II Is also true that while
our workingmen and farmers can the least
Of all our Pople defend themselves against
the harder home life which such tariff taxa.
lion DEGREES, the workingman, suffering
from the importation and employment OF