The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-01
GEN. STEVENSON ACCEPTS
HE AGREES WITH MIR. CLEvELAXD.
He Touches Briefly Upon the Tariff, tho
Force Bill and the Money Question.
His Letter In Full.

iO@ tlCc-ITSSluency, mas seut Tue IouO"-
ing letter Of acceptance to the president
Of the national Democratic Convention:
CHARLESTON. w. VA, Oct. %, 1892.
To the Hon. William L. Wilson, chairman,
&C.:
When in the presence Of 10000 OF my
ccuntrymen, / accepted the honor CON
ferred upon me by the convention, over
which you presided, | promised TO indicate
by letter, in n more formal manner, my
acceptance Of the nomination rendered
me by the assembled representatives OF the
Democratic party Of the United States.
Since that time have been engaged cen
tinualy in the discussion, before the peo-
pie of many States Of the Union, Of the
issues emphasized by the convention and
represented by our candidate for President,
Grover Cleveland. Opportunity has thus
been denied me 10 write with the care l
would like the more formal answer prom
ised to yCur committee.
The full discussion Of public questions
commonly expected from candidate for
President has been rendered less I'M
perative by the complete presentation OF
the Democratic creed by the gentleman
with whom l have the honor to be asso-
ciated as a candidate Oh the national
ticket His treatment Ct the issues now be-
tlement was so complete that I can do
little more than indorse his position and
give 1t the emphasis Of my unqualified ap-
proval
The greatest power conferred upon hui
man government Is that OF taxation. All
the great struggles Ct the past for q broad
er political liberty have looked toward the
limitation of this power by right TO tax,
a right which should always be limited by
fhn ,f ND homo
fits which may be shared by all. Whenever
this power il used to draw tribute from the
many for the benefit OF the few, or when
part Of the people are oppressed In order
that the remainder may prosper unduly,
equality is lost sight Of, injustice hardens
into precedent, which Is used 10 excuse
new exactions. and there arise artificial
distinctions which the beneficlaries come 10
look upon in due time as vested rights,
sacred TO themselves.
INEQUITABLE TARIFF SYSTEM.
II is plain that our present inequtahle
system Of tariff taxation has promoted the
growth Of such conditions In our land.
favored though IL has been by an indus
trious and enterprisng people, a friendly
climate, productive soil, and the high
est development of political liberty. II the
benehclaries of this system shall be able
to add a new tenure of power TO those
they have already enjoyed, the develop
ment Of these unfavorable conditions must
continue until the power to tax will be
lodged I'm those who are willing and able
to pay for the perpetuation OF privileges
originally conferred by confdng people
for the preservation inviolate CT their own
Government There Is no longer preteXt
or excuse for the maintenance Of war tariff
In times of peace, and more than quarter
of
ceased. The platform OF the National
Democratic Convention demands the re-
form Of this system and the adoption In
it's place Of one which will insure equality
TO all our people. am in full and hearty
accord with these purposes.
The convention also declared its posi-
ton Oh the currency question in no un-
meaning words when II said In its plat
form. I'VE hold tc the use of both gold and
silver as the standard money of the cOun-
try, and TO the coinage OF both gold aud
silver without discriminating against either
metal or charge for mintage, but the dol
lar unit of coinage OF both metals must be
of equal intrinsic and exchsngaahe value.
CT be adjusted through international agree
ment, or by such safeguards OF legislation
as snail insure the purity Of the two metals
and the equal power Of every dollar at all
times in the markets and in payment Of
debt. and we demand that all paper cur
rency shall be kept at par with and re-
deemable in such coin"
To this plain and unequiyocal declaration
in favor Of sound honest money. l sub
scribe without reservation or qualification.
A safe circulating medium is absolutely
essential to the protection of the business
interests Of our country, while TO the wage
Garner. or the farmer, 1t Is all important
that every dollar, whatever its form that
finds its way into his pocket shall be OF
equal, unquestiOned and universally eX-
changeable value and of equal purchasing
power.
BAYONET CONTROL OF ELECTIONS.
Another issue OF great moment in the
pending contest is the Force bill, the mag
nitude OF which cannot be Oyerstated. IL
may mean the control Of the election Of
Representatives I'm Congress by the bay
onet. The Republican party by its acts
IN the Fifty-irst Congress, and by its plat
form In its late national convention. stands
pledged to the passage Of this bill. That
IL viii pass II when il has the power 10
sane man can doubt. To all our people
who desire the peace and prosperity OF
our common country this question is all
important.
Since my nomination have been in
eight Of the Southern and Southwestern
States Of the Union and have talked with
men Of all classes and conditions there.
/ found a general and growing apprehen-
sion Of evils which It Is believed would
result from the passage Of the Lodge bill
CT similar threatened legislation. | found
the industries established by Northern capt
tai during Mr.. CleveIands administration
in a languishing condition; that the irnm-
grafton of labor and the investment Of
Conffal fpt-f 80
then peaceful condition had. in a large
measure. ceased. The enactment OF the
Force bill into law, while il would
threaten the liberties CT the entire people.
would undoubtedly retard the material
growth OF the States at which It is spe-
cially aimed, would incite in many commu-
mites race troubles, and invite retallatory
legislation. which would disturb property
values and discontinue and destroy the Sc
curity Of Northern investments And its
refiex action upon the Northern States
would result in a consequent loss of com
mercial and trade relations with the vast
territory now becoming tributary to their
wealth and prosperity.
VICE OF THE FORCE BILL SPIRIT.
| say nothing OF the inherent vice Of the
un-American and revolutionary spirit IN
yolyed In the Lodge bir which was pro
nounced by a Republican Senator "the
most Infamous that ever crossed the thresb-
mold or the Senate" | appeal TO the in
stinct OF self-lnterest, and 10 the sense Of
common Justice in the American people
The era Of good feeling and renewed com
mereial relations commencing with the
election CT Mr. Cleveland I'm 1884 should
not be interrupted by the Inauguration Of
policy which tends 10 destroy popular
representation and the purity Of local self