The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-10-04
.HARRIsoN's LETTER.
THE PRESIDENTS ABLE DOCUMENT
ACCEPTING THE NOMINATION..

EoACJ-AcGlpEuC-
ity-other Matters.
President Harrison has issued a mes
sage to the American people. In dig
nifty and elevation of tone, in breadth Of
craftsmanship, in deliberation and care
of statement it is worthy of a place
with the ablest state papers of the ma
tons history. His letter of acceptance,
in form addressed to the committee
from the Republican national conven-
ton, is in substance powerful review
of the work which has been done for
the country by the administration and
by congress since power was intrusted
to the Republican party four years ago.
1t directly appeals to the people to de-
eide whether this work merits vote Of
want of confidence. The appeal is not
personal. Modestly the president at
tributes to others great share of the
credit for grand accomplishments.
To the leaders and members of the
Republican congress he gives high
praise, nor does he hesitate TO honor
Democratic members who have faith
fully guarded the honor of the country
n
tribute is paid to Mr.. Blaine, whose
Jealous services, the president says, de-
serve the nations thanks. The appeal
is on behalf Of the principles and meas
ures which the president so ably repre-
sents. M"..
President Harrison devotes much of
his space to a most convincing state
ment of the results attained by the pol
icy of reciprocity. He shows how it has
alarmed Great Britain and other ma
tons; how anxiously European traders
are appealing to their governments in
some way to resist what they call 1.-THE
commercial crusade of the United
States;" how British exports to Latin
American countries have declined $685.
750, 900, while our own exports to coun-
tries with which treaties have been made
have increased 23.7 per cent; how great
are the benefits already secured for
American farmers and workingmen;
and he then appeals with great power to
the people to decide whether the party
which styles this "sham reciprocity"
and proposes to abolish it, shall he pre-
ferred.
The review Of the results of protec-
ton, and particularly of the new tariff,
would gladden. the heart of every Amer
/ lean citizen if the minds of some were
not darkened by partisan prejudice. AZ
ter showing that prices have been low
cred and wages advanced; that new in
dustries transplanted and established
here and the revival or enlargement Of
others "have given employment to many
thousands of American men and women,
and will each year give employment 10
increasing thousands" the president
urges that its repeal would throw
thousands out of employment and give
work to others only at reduced wages. "
Yet nothing else than repeal can be ex.
pected from the party which declares
all protection unconstitutional.
This new departure Of the Democratic
party, the president well says, if exc.
cuted would at once plunge the coun.
try into business convulsion such as il
has never seem But if it be said that
this radical policy will not be executed
If Democracy gains power, the president
asks, what shall be thought of party
that is capable Of trihing with great in.
terests:" 1t is with the dignity of true
craftsmanship and the earnestness OF
strong patriotism that the president
says, This mad crusade against Ameri
can shops, the bitter epithets applied t.
American manufacturers, the persistent
disbelief of every report of the opening
of tin plate mill OF of an increase Of
our foreign trade by reciprocity, arc as
surprising as they are discreditable"
Not less strong and clear is the treat
ment Of monetary questions. AT tn,
very outset the Democratic demand TO
I revival of the old state bank system
or want of system, is met with an i'm
q pressiye picture of the conditions result
, ing from the use Of such currency
and in contrast the splendid result
of Republican legislation are sub
= Initted. Regarding the coinage, Presi
r dent Harrison could not have Spoken
= more distinctly or candidly. He de
! clares that the free coinage of silver a
such ratio to gold as will main
, tain their equality in purchasin
a power wonld conduce to the prosporit
" of all nations: that "the one essen tia
, condition" is that this equality shall b
! maintained, and declares, ~ am quit
i sure that if we should now act upon thi
a subject independently of other nation.
/ we should greatly promote their intel
ests and injure our own" The brigh
, prospect of good results from the cor
ference of nations ON this subject give
the president much qualification.
In treating of the freedom of elet
tions, President Harrison quotes fro1
9 his last annual message the propose
d that n nonlartisan commission Shout
$ be created to consider the evils of elet
It ton laws and appointments, and I
Z suggest some remedy He describe
with great clearness and force the operi
IS tons in Alabama, and urges that pa
% ties and political debate are but noel
IL cry il the judgment of honest major
/ ties is to be reversed" He advocate
l. no law, and says with truth that ii
Republican party would rejoice if exis
=, ing evils could be met and corrected /
~ action in the several states. But such
n commission as he suggests would surel
, do much to prepare public opinion fl
10 necessary action.
10 On many other topics President Ha
Dt rison speaks IN this remarkable lett
Y. with power which men Of all parti
z will recognize and with spirit whic
- every true American must admire.
I, is not tho letter of narrow parrish
~ Broad and lofty patriotism inspires
throughout. 1t appeals to whatever
best and most worthy of honor in Anne
lean character and to the noblest m
st tiyes that can actuate American citizen
As 1t would not be creditable to the peoI
~ to suppose that such an appeal will Fl
so to have powerful and lasting effect.
az New York Tribune.