Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-10-07

GROVER CLEVELAND
The letter of ex-President Grover Cleveland
accepting the nomination as the Democratic
candidate for President Of the United States
has been made public 1t is as follows:
To the Hon. William L. Wilson and Others
Committee ETC.:
GENTLEMEN-In responding to your fer
NAL notification of my nomination to the
Presidency by the National Democracy, l
hope may be permitted to say at the out
set that continued reflection and Observa-
ton have confirmed me in my adherence to
the opinions, which [ have heretofore pain
" and publicly declared, touching the ques-
tions involved in the canvass.
This is q time, above ali 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 tho
relation it bears to the people for whose
benefit it created. We shall thus be
supplied with 4 test by which the value of
any proposition relating to the maintenance
and administration of our Government can
be asceriainad and by which the justice and
honesty of every political question can be
judged If doctrines or theories are pre-
sented which do not satisfy this test, loyal
Americans must pronounce these false and
mschievOuS
The protection of the people in the excu-
siye use and enjoyment of their property
and earnings, cOnceaedly constitutes the
especial purpose and mission of our free Gov
ernment. This design is SO interviewer
with the structure Of our plan Of rule, that
failure to protect the citizen in such and
enjoyment, or their unjustifable diminution
by the Government itself, is q betrayal of
the peoples trust
We have, however, undertaken to build
great Nation upon g plan especially our
own. To maintain it and to furnish through
its agency the means for the accomplish
ment of National objects, the American
people are willing, through Federal taxa
ton, to surrender part of their earnings
and income.
Tariff legislation presents familiar form
of Federal taxation. Such legislation re-
suits as surely 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 palpably to
be persuaded by any sophistry that they do
not exist or are paid by foreigners.
Such taxes, representing dlmlnutlon OF
the property rights of the people, are only
Unsuitable when laid and collected for the
purpose of maintaining our Government. and
Furnishing the means for the accomplish
ment of its legitimate purposes and func-
tions. This is taxation under the operation
of tariff for revenue. 1t accords with the
professions Of American free institutions,
and its justice and honesty answer the test
supple by correct applicable of the prin-
cipes upon which these institutions rest.
This theory of tariff legislation mauifestly
lures and their limitation to legitimate pub
lie uses, inasmuch as it exhibits absolute
extOrtlOn any eXactlOn, by way OF taxation,
from the substance of the people, beyond
the necessities of careful and proper adj
minIstration of Government.
Opposed to this theory the dogma is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is JUS
tifiable for the express purpose and intent
of thereby promoting especial interests and
enterprises. Such proposition is 80 clearly
10 at rSfI f-1Aj ion,
and so directly encourages the disturb
ance by selfishness and greed of patri-
otto sentiment, that its statement would
rudely shock our people, if they
had not already been insidiOuSly
allured from the safe landmarks of prin-
clple. Never have honest desire for Ma
tional growth, patriotic devotion to country,
and sincere regard for those who toll, been
SO betrayed to the support of a
the plea that our infant industries
should bs forstered, did service until
discreditei by our stalwart growth; then
followed the eXigencies of terrible
which made our people needless Of the op-
portunities for Interior schemes afforded
by their willing and patriotic pay
ment of unprecedented tribute; and now,
after long period Of peace, when cur over
burdened countrymen ask for relic- and a
restoration to fuller enjoyment of their in
comes and earnings, they are met by the
claim that tariff taxation for the sake OF
protection is an American system, the con-
tinuance OF which is necessary in order that
high wages may be paid to our workingmen
and home market be provided for our farm
products.
These pretences should no longer deceive.
The truth is that such a system is directly
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 the themselves
against the harder home life which such
tariff taxation DEGREES, the workingman
suffering from the importation and
employment of pauper labor insti-
gated by his professed friends, and seeking
, security for his interests in organized CO.
operation, still waits for division of the
advantages secured to his employer under
cover of a 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