Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-09-27
THE ARGUS.
TUE sDAY. SEPTEMBER %. 1892
GROWERS CREED.
CIeveland's Letter of Acceptance
i'm Full.
ARGUMENT FOR TARIFF REFORM
That Issue Made the Principal One for
Discussion.

Discussion.
Principles of Democratic Legislation
Duties on Imports Laid Down by the
Democratic Leader-Brief AlIusion to
the Force Bill Questionable Position
Pensions-Imp ortance of Civil Service
Reform Reiterated-The Silver Question
and Immigration Considered
NEW YORK, Sept 27 The letter of
Grover Cleveland accepting the nomina-
ton as the Democratic candidate for presi-
dent OF the United States Is addressed to
Hon. William l.. Wilson and others, COM
mittee, etc. and is as follows:
GENTLEMEN:-In responding to your for
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-
fion have confirmed me in my adherence to
the opinions that I have heretofore plainly
and publicly declared touching the ques-
tons involved in the canvass. This is
time, above all others, when these ques-
tons should be considered in the light
afforded by a sober apprehension of the
principles upon which our government Is
based and a clear understanding of the re-
lation it bears TO the people for whose bene-
fit il was created. We shall thus be
supplied with test by which the value of
any propositions relating 10 the main
tenance and administration of our govern
can be ascertained, and by which the justice
and honesty of every political question can
be judged.
Uncle Sans Special Mission.
If doctrines or theories are presented
which do not satisfy this test, loyal Amer
icanism must pronounce them false and
mischievous. The protection of the people
in the exclusive use and enjoyment of their
property and earnings concededly consti-
flutes the especial purpose and mission of
our free government This design is so in
terwoven with the structure of our plan of
rule that failure to protect the citizen in
such use and enjoyment. or their unjustifia-
bic diminution by the government itself, is
betrayal of the peoples trust. We have,
however. undertaken to build great
ton upon plan especially our own. To
maintain it and to furnish through its
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
Defines the Democratic Position.
Tariff legislation presents a familiar
form of federal taxation. Such legislation
results as surely in tax upon the daily
life of our people as the tribute paid direct
" into the hands 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 are paid by for
eigners Such taxes, representing a dimin-
ution of the property rights of the people,
are only Unsuitable when laid and collect
ed for the purpose of maintaining our gov
eminent and furnishing the means for the
accomplishment of its Legitimate purposes
rrrl-. IL.
operation of tariff for revenue. 1t accords
with the professions of American free insti-
buttons and its justice and honesty answer
the test supplied by a correct appreciation
of the principles upon which these insti-
buttons rest. This theory of tariff legisla-
manifestly enjoins strict economy in public
expenditures and their limitation to legiti-
mate public uses, inasmuch as it exhibits
as absolute extortion any exaction by way
of taxation from the substance of the peo-
pie beyond the necessities of careful and
proper administration of government.
Republican Ideas Unconstitutional.
Opposed to this theory the dogma is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation Is
justifiable for the express purposes and in
tent of thereby promoting especial interests
and enterprises. Such a proposition Is so
clearly contrary to the spirit of our consti-
tuition, and so directly encourages the dis
.urbance by selfishness and greed of pa
triotic sentiment, that its statement would
rudely shock our people if they had not al
ready been insidiously allured from the
safe landmarks of principle. Never have
honest desire for national growth, patriotic
devotion to country, and sincere regard for
those who toll been so betrayed to the sup
port of pernicious doctrine.
The Pleas for Protection.
In its behalf the plea that our infant in
dustries should be fostered did service I'M
til discredited by our stalwart growth: then
followed the exigencies of terrible war
which made our people needless of the OPP
portunities for Interior schemes afforded by
their willing and patriotic payment of I'M
precedented tribute; and now, after a long
period of peace, when our overwhelmed
countrymen ask for relief and a restoration
to n 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.
The System Declared Unjust.
These pretenses should no longer deceive
The truth is that such 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 workingrnen and farmers can, the least
of all our people, defend themselves against
the harder hone life which such tariff tax
alton DEGREES, the workinRman suffering