Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-09-27
MIR. CLEVELAND'S
 ACCEPTANCE
His Formal Response to the Democratic Notification
 Committee.
VIEWS ON TARIFF LEGISLATION.

A Great Part of the Document Devoted to This Subject -Readj tment and More Careful Distribution of Tariff Burdens Are Favored, Not a Precipitation of Free Trade-Federal Control of Elections Condemned - The Candidates Position
 On the Currency Ouestion--Civil Service
 Reform, Pensions, Education, etc.
 To Hon. Waztam [. Wason and others, Com
 nfttee, etc.
 GENTLEMEN: In responding to your for nal notification of my nomination to the Presidency by the National Democracy, I hope may be permitted to say at the out set, that continued reflection and obser- vation have confirmed me in my adher- ence to the opinions, which have here tofore 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 afforded by a sober apprehension of the principles upon which our govern ment is based, and a 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 administration of our government can be ascertained, and by which the justice and honesty of every po- litical question can be judged. If doc trlnes or theories are presented which do not satisfy this test, loyal Americanism must pronounce them false and mischiey- ous.
 The protection of the people in the ex- elusive use and enjoyment of their prop- erty and earnings, concededly consti- tutes the especial purpose and mission of our free government. This design is so interwoven with the structure of our plan of rule, that failure to protect the citizen in such use and enjoyment, or their unjustifiable diminution by the government itself, is a betrayal of the peoples trust.
 We have, however, undertaken to build great nation upon a plan especially our own. To maintain it and to furnish through its agency, the means for the ac- complishment of national objects. the American people are willing through fed eral taxation to surrender part of their earnings and income.
 TARIFF LEGISLATION.
 Tariff legislation presents a familiar form of federal taxation. Such legisla- tlon results as surely in 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 a diminution of the property rights of the people, are only justif1able when laid and collected for the purpose of maintaining our gov ernment, and furnishing the means for the accomplishment of its legitimate purposes and functions. This is taxation under the operation of tariff for reve- nue. It accords with the professions of American free institutions, and it's jus Llce and honesty answer the test supplied by a correct appreciation of the princi- pies upon which these institutions rest.
 This theory of tariff legislation mani testly enJoins strict economy in public expenditures and their limitation to legitimate public uses, inasmuch as it exhibits as absolute extortion any exac- tion, by way of taxation, from the sub stance of the people, beyond the necessi- ties of careful and proper administra- tion of government.
 Opposed to this theory the dogma is now boldly presented, that tariff taxation is justitiable for the express purpose and intent of thereby promoting especial in terests and enterprises. Such a proposi- tion is so clearly contrary to the spirit of our constitution and so directly encour- ages the disturbance by selfiShness and greed of patriotic sentiment, that it's statement would rudely shock our people, If they had not already been insidiously allured from the safe landmarks of prin- ciple. Never have honest desire for na- tional growth, patriotic devotion to coun- try, and sincere regard for those who toll been so betrayed to the support of a per nicious doctrine. In it's behalf, the plea that our infant industries should be fos- tered, did service until discredited by our stalwart growth; then followed the eX- agencies of a terrible war which made our people needless of the opportunities for ulterior schemes afforded by their willing and patriotic payment of unprecedented tribute; and now, after 8 long period of peace, when our overburdened country men ask for reliet and a 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 system, the continuance of which is necessary in order that high wages may be paid to our workingmen and home market be provided for our farm products.
 AASoO pACCchCcS no longer O6- ceive. The truth is that such a system is directly antagonized by every sentiment of justice and fairness of which Ameri- cans are pre- eminently proud. It is also true tn at while our work ingmen and farmers can, the least of all our people, defend themselves against the harder home life which such tariff taxation de- crees, the workingman suffering from the importation and employment of pauper labor instigated by his professed friends, and seeking security for his interests in organized cooperation, still waits for division of the advantages secured to his employer under cover of generous solici- tude 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 concession to clamor- ous favorites invites corruption in politi-