The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1892-10-04
GROVER CLEVELAND.
His Letter Of Acceptance Given
to the Public.
THE ENTIRE LETTER COMPLETE

and a Number OF Other Subjects OF Les
Importance.
NEW YORK, Sept. 27.--Letter o
Grover Cleveland accepting the nomi
nation as the Democratic candidate TO
president of the United States:
To Hon. William L Wilson and Others
Committee, etc:
GENTLEMRN--In responding to youl
formal notification of my nomination Il
the presidency by the national Democracy
I hope / may be permitted to say at the
outset that continued reflection and OBJ
servation have confined me in my adher
ence to the opinions, which have hereto
| fore plainly and publicly declared, touch
| ing the questions involved in the canvass
| This is time, above all others, when
these questions should be considered in the
light afforded by sober apprehension OF
the principles upon which our government
Is based, and clear understanding of the
relation it bears TO the people for whose
benefit 1t was created. We shall thus be
supplied with test by which the value OF
any proposition relating TO the mainten-
ancs and administration of our govern
ment can be ascertained, and by which the
justice and honesty of every political ques-
ton can be judged. II doctrines or theories
are presented which do not satisfy this
test, loyal Americanism must pronounce
them false and mischievous
The protection in the exclusive use and
enjoyment of their property and earnings,
concededly constitutes the especial pur-
pose and mission of our free government.
This design Is SO interviewer with the
structure of our plan Of rule, that failure
to protect the citizens in such use and en-
3oyment, or their unjustiflsble diminution
by the government itsolf, is a betrayal of
the peoples trust
We have, however, undertaken TO build
q great nation upon plan especially our
own. To maintain il and to furnish
through its agency, the means for the &C
complishment Of national objects, the
American people are willing through
federal taxation TO surrender q part of
their earnings and income.
Tariff legislation presents a familiar
form Of federal taxation. Such legislation
results as surely In a tax upon the daily
life of our people as the tribute paid di-
rectly into the hands OF the taxgatherer.
We feel the burden Of these tariff taxes too
palpably to De persuaded by any sophistry
that they do not exist, or are paid by for
eigners Such taxes representing dimi-
mutton of the property rights Of the people
are only justi1able when laid and collected
for the purpose of maintaining our govern
ment, and furnishing the means for the
accomplishment Of its legitimate purpose
and functions. This is taxation under the
operation of tariff for revenue 1t ac-
cords with the professions Of American
free institutions and its justice and hon
esty answer the test supplied by correct
appreciation of the principles upon which
these institutions rest.
This theory Of tariff legislation mani
testify enjoins strict economy in public ex-
penditures 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 Che necessities of q careful and
proper administration of government.
Opposed TO this theory, the dogma is now
boldly presented, that tariff taxation is
justifable for the express purpose and
intent of thereby promoting especial inter
ests and enterprises. Such proposition is
80 clearly contrary to the spirit Of our con-
and SO directly encourages the
by selflshness and greed of pa
triotic sentiment, that IT'S statement would
rudely shock our people, il they had not
already been insiduously 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 q pernicious doctrine.
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
opportunities for Interior schemes afforded
by their willing and patriotic payment Of
tribute; and now, after a
long period of peace, when our oyerbur-
dened countrymen ask for relief and
restoration to fuller enjoyment of their
incomes and earnings, they arc 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
workin3men and u home market be pro-
vided for our farm products.
These prctences should no longer deceive.
The truth is that such a system is directly
antagoniZed by every sentiment of justice
and fairness OF which Americans are pre-
emlnently proud. 1t is also true tuat while
our worAipgmen and farmers can, least OF
all our people, defend themselves against
the harder home life which such tariff tax
alton DEGREES the workingman suffering
from the importation and employment OF
pauper labor inStigated by his professcd
friends, and seeking security for his inter
ests in organized cooperation, still waits
for a division OF the advantages secured to
his employer under cover Of generous So
licitude for his wages, while the farmer is
learning that the prices of his products are
fixed in foreign markets where he suffers
from competition Invited and built up
by the system he is asked TO support
The struggle for unearned advantages at
the doors Of the government tramples on
the rights of those who patiently rely upon
assurances of American, equality. Every
governmental concession to clamorous
fayorites invites. corruption'in political af-
fairs by encouraging the expenditure of
money to debauch suffrage in support of a
policy directly favorable to private and
selfish gain. This in the end must strangle
patriotism and weaken popular confidence
In the rectitude of Republican institu-
tons.
Though the subject of tariff legislation
involves question of markets, it also in
wolves question of morals. We can not
with IMMUNITY permit injustice to faint
the spirit of right and equity which is the
life of our republic; and we shall fail to
reach orr national destiny IL creed and