The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-09-30
The eEx-President Accepts the
Democratic Nomination.
Issues Of the Campaign,
Tariff Reform and Other Questions.

On Monday Ex.President Cleveland issued
his letter of acceptance of the Democratic
nomination for President. II is addressed to
William l.. Wilson, chairman Of the noiitica.
tion committee, and is as follows.
GENTLEMEN In responding to your for.
NAL notification Of my nomination to the
Presidency by the national Democracy, |
hope may be permitted to say at the out.
set that continued reflection and observation
have confirmed me in my adherence to the
opinions, which have heretofore plainly and
publicly declared. touching the questions in.
volved in the canvass.
This is time, above all others, when
these questions should he considered in the
light afforded by sober apprehension Of the
principles upon which our government is
based and clear understanding of the rela.
tion it hears to the people for whose benefit
It was created. We shall thus be supplied
with test by which the value OF any propo.
sition relating to the maintenance and ad-
ministration Of our government can be as.
certained and by which the Justice and hon.
es,y Of every Political question can be Judged.
IL doctrines or theories are presented which
do not satisfy this test loyal Americanism
must pronounce them false and mischieyous.
The protection Of the people in the exclu.
sive use and employment OF their property
and earnings, concededly constitutes the es-
pecial 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 use or enioy.
ment, or their unjustihable diminu,ion by the
government itself, is betrayal of the peo.
ple's trust.
TARIFv LEGISLATION.
We have, however, undertaken to build a
great nation upon plan especially our own!
To maintain II and to furnish THROUGH il,
agency the means for the accomplishment of
national objects, the American people are
willing, through Federal taxation, to surren.
der part of their earnings and income.
lariH legislation presents familiar form
Of Federal taxation. Such legislation results
as surely tax upon the daily life of our peo.
pie as the tribute paid directly into the hand
OF the tax-gatherer We feel the burden of
these tariff taxes too palpably to be persuad.
On 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
justihable when laid and collected for the
purpose OF maintaining our government and
furnishing the means for the accomplishment
OF lis legitimate purposes and functions. This
is taxation under the operation of tariff for
revenue. 1t accords with the professionr of
American free institutions, and its Justice
and honesty answer the test supplied by
correct appreciation Of the principles upon
which these institutions rest.
This theory of tariff legislation manifestly
en)oins strict economy in public expenditures
and their limitation to legitimate public uses,
inasmuch as it exhibits as absolute extor,ion
any enction, by way of taxation, from the
substance OF the people, beyond the necessi.
ties OF careful and proper administration OF
government
THE REPUBLICAN DOGMA.
Opposed to this theory the dogma is now
boldly presented, that tariff taxation is iusti.
hable Tor the express purpose and intent of
thereby promoting especial interests and en-.
terprlses. Such proposition is so clearly
contrary to the spirit OF our Constitution and
SO directly encourages the disturbance by
selhshness and greed of patriotic sentiment
that its statement would rudely shock our
people IT they had not already been insidous.
pie.
-S'S's nave nohest desire Tor national
growth, patriotic devotion TO country and
sincere regard Tor those who toll been so be.
trayed TO the support OF pernicious doc.
trine. In its behalf the plea that our infant
industries should he fostered did service un-
III discredlted by our stalwart growth; then
followed the eAigencies Of a terrible war.
which made our people needless Of the op.
portunities for ulteror schemes afforded by
'nGir wiling and patriotic payment Of unpre.
cedented tribute; and now, after a long
period of peace, when our overburdenei
countrymen ask for relief and a restoration
to fuller enjoyment of their incomes and
earnings, they are met by the claim that tar
If taxation for the sake Of protection is an
American system, the continuance of which
IS necessary in order that high wages may b.
paid to our Horkingmen and home market
Dc provided for our farm products.
HOW LABOR is AFFECTED.
These pretenses should no longer deceive.
The truth is that such system is directly
lntlgonized by every sentiment of Justice and
alrness OF which Americans are pre.eminent.
y proud. 1t is also true that while our
HoTkingmen and farmers can, the least Of all
)ar people defend themselves against the
harder home life which such tariff taxation
iecrees the worklngman, suffering from the
Importation and employment of pauper labor
nsrigated by his professed friends, and seek
ng security for his interests in organized co.
operation, still waits for division of the adj. |
'an.ages secured to his employer under cover
+ a generous solicitude for his wages, while |
he farmer is learning that the prices Of his |
products are fixed in foreign markets, where |
lie suffers from a competition invited and |
'uil; up by the system he is asked to sup. |
lort.
The struggle for unearned advantage at