The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-01

CHARLESTON, w. Va, Oct. 3l.-
Especial l-Adlai E. Stevenson, Demo-
cratic candidate for tho Vice. Presi-
dency, has sent the following letter of
acceptance to tho president of tho ma
tional Democratic convention:
.'CnARLEsToN, w. VA, Oct. 80.
"To tho Hon. William L.Wilson, chair
man, ETC.:
when, in the presence OF 5000 of
my countrymen, l accepted the noini-
nation conferred upon me by the con-
vention over which you presided,
promised to indito by letter in more
formal manner my acceptance of the
nomination rendered me by the assem-
bled representatives. OF tho Democratic
party of the United States.
"Since that time have been engaged
continually in the discussion before the
people Of many States of the Union Of
the issues emphasized by the conven-
tion and represented by our candidate
for President, Grover Cleveland. Oppor-
tunity has thus been denied me to
write with the care I would like the
moro formal answer promised to your
committee. The full discussion of pub
lie questions commonly expected from
a candidate for Vice President has been
rendered less imperative by the COM
plete presenta ton of tho Democratic
creed by the gentleman with whom l
have the honor to he associated as
candidate on the natl nal ticket. His
treatment OF the issues DOW before the
country for discussion and settlement
was SO complete that l can do little
more than indorsc his position and give
1T the emphasis of my unqualified
approval.
The greatest power conferred upon
human government is that Of taxation.
All tho great struggles of the past for
broader political liberty have looked
toward the limitation of this power by
right to tax, right which should always
be limited by the necessities of govern
ment and to benefits which should be
shared by all Whenever this power is
used to draw tribute from the many for
the benefit OF the few. or when part Of
the people are oppr essed in order that
the remainder may prosper unduly,
equality is lost sight of, injustice hard
ems into precedent, which is used to ex-
cuse new exactions, and there arise
artificial distinctions which tho benefi-
Charles con- o to look upon in due time as
vested rights, sacred to themselves.
ut is plain that our present inequi-
table system of tariff taxation has pro-
NOTED the growth of such conditions in
our land, favored though it has been by
an industrious and enterprising people,
friendly climate, productive soil and
the highest development OF political
libortY. II the benehciaries of this
system shall be able to add new tenure
Of power to those they have already en-
joyed, tho development of these un-
favorable conditions nc ust continue until
the power to tax will be lodged in those
who are willing and able to pay for the
perpetuation OF privileges originally
conferred by contidiug people for the
preservation inviolate to their own gov
ernment There is no longer pretext
or excuse for the maintenance of war
tariff in times OF peace and more than a
quarter of d century after armed con-
nict has ceased. The platform of the
national Democratic convention de-
mands the reform Of This system and
the adoption in it's place of ono which
will insure equality to all our people.
| am in full and hearty accord with
these purposes.
The convention also DE- clared its po-
sition on the currency question in no
unmeaning words when it said in its
platform we hold to the use of both gold
and silver as the standard money of the
country and to tho coinage of both gold
and silver without discriminating
against either metal or charge for mint
age, but the dollar unit of coinage of
both metals must be Of equal intrinsic
and eXcnan2eable value, or be adjusted
through international agreement, or by
such safeguards of legislation as shall
insure tho parity of the two metals and
NJ doll o11
times in tho markets and in tho pay
ments Of debts, and we demand that all
paper currency shall be kept at par with
and rodecmable in such COIN
ITO this plain and unequivocal dec
laration in favor Of sound, honest money
| subscribe without reservation or quail
fcation. A safe circulating medium is
absolutely essential to tho protection
of tho business interests of our country,
while to the wage.earner, the farmer, it
is all import anJ that every dollar, what
ever its form, that finds its way into his
pocket shall be OF equal, nnqu sstioned
and universally exchangeable value and
Of equal purchasing power.
Another issue Of great moment in
tho pending contest is tho force bill,
the magnitude Of which cannot be over.
estimated. 1t may mean the control Of
the election of representatives in Con-
gress by the bayonet The Republican
party by its action in tho Fifty first
Congress, and by it's platform in its
late national convention stands pledged
to the passage of this bill. That it
will pass it when it has the power, no
sane man can doubt. TO all our pie
who desire the peace and prosperity OF
our country this question is all.impor-
tant.
"since my nomination have been in