The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-19
REID AGREES TO RUN.
HIS LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE MADE
PUBLIC.

The Protective Tariff and the Cur
rency Questions Made the Principal
Themes Of His Epistle-Figure es From
the Census and Reports of New
York State Ofacers Cited.
NEW York, Oct. 1s.-Whitelaw Reids
letter Of acceptance, addressed TO the chair.
man of the republican notification COM
mittee. is made public tonight. 1t is about
5000 words in length and is as follows:
Hon. W. T. Durbin. anderson, Ind.
DEAR SIR-When the nomination with which
the national convention has honored me was
formally announced by your committee, ac-
the principles set forth In the resolutions
adopted by the convention as a basis
o.. o. 90 my Al appeal peal. to popular sui.
TO any honorable man an impossbillty. po-
litical party is an association OF citizens seek
ing to have the government conducted in ac-
cordance with its views, and presenting candi-
dates whom it strives to elect for that purpose.
To accept this nomination without intending to
carry out its principles would be as dishonor-
able and as criminal as to procure goods under
false pretenses. There will be no misunder-
standing as tosthe;purposes OF the Republican
party in this contest and no doubt as to the at
utude of its candidates. What 1t intends it has
set forth in language that cannot be mistaken,
and they will strive by all the lawful means
in their power to enforce its plainly expressed
will.
Since my interview with your committee
further reflection and careful attention to argu-
ments on both sides in current puolic discus.
sion, have confirmed my belief in the wisdom
of the republican declarations, as well as in the
sented.
The party platforms, so called, are more i'm
portant this year than usual Both the leading
candidates have once commanded the approval
of the American In ifQ hiOhpat form
or expression, Attention is therefore con
centrated less on the men themselves, and
more on the principles each is put forward to
represent, and would, in case Of election, be re.
quired to carry out
The declarations of our opponents demand
still closer scrutiny, since their victory now
would give them the first opportunity they have
had since 1859 TO put in practice their policy.
Never since that date have they had control at
once both in the executive and Legislative de-
partments OF the government. This year the
election of President clearly carries with it
majority in both houses of congress. 1t is OBJ
vious that Tin the common Judgment Of the
people in all parts Of the country, the really
vital issues which this year divide the parties
and demand popular decision. are those relating
TO the tariff and the currency. Fortunately
both sides have stated their positions on these
subjects with directneSs, simplicity and frank
ness. The issues thus made between the
rival candidates for the popular suf-
frage are specially sharp and distinct.
THE RIVAL ISSUES.
We favor protective tariff aud, when in
full power, made the present one. Our op,
promise repeal OF the present one. We main
tain that the tariff should lovsr the difference
in the cost Of home and foreign, products
and foreign wages for the labor
employed upon IL. Our opponents distinctly
repudiated the proposition that American
wages should be considered in the matter, and
declared instead that tariff levied for any
thing but revenue only was unconstitutional.
AS the London Times Of Sept % very naturally
remarked This policy. if fairly and logically
carried out, is not to be distinguished from fres
trade in the practical form in which we are ia
miliar with it. IL protection duties are uncon-
stitutional, as was asserted at Chicago. no
financial legerdemain can produce any other
readjustment than that which would naturally
follow the removal OF all imports tanding TO
Bolster up particular branches Of industry
and commerce." Should the American people
now choose the republican candidates the pres
ent tariff would stand, or when amended would
only be so changed as TO insure closer con-
formity in practice to the principles on which it
was made, If our opponents should be chosen
their congress is pledged TO the repeal of the
present tariff and to the adoption of one
arranged for revenue only, and their executive
is pledged 20 the doctrine that a tariff having
regard for American wages IS unconstitutional
so that the only new that could escape a
presidential veto must be of the kind which the
trade. We maintain that the present tariR
has worked so well that it
has developed American factories steadfed
and increased American wages, and promoted
the general prosperity Our opponents deny
that there has been any increase Of prosperity
under the present tariff, declare that wages
have been reduced, and denounce the republican
policy, which, as they say. fosters no other in
dustry much as that of this sheriff We favor
a system by which when, we think the country
ready for reduction or abolition OF duties, we
insist upon getting corresponding and recipro-
cal advantages from foreign countries as a con .
dition of their enjoying these advantages in our
own markets Our opponents denounce this
reciprocity as sham, and therefore pledge
themselves to its repeal
for the decision of the American
psople come more comparatively and more
specifically than ever before the whole range of
consideration relating to the protective tariff,
its oonstitutionalty, its expedency, its rela-
ton TO wages, its practical workings and the
question whether, as IL is from time to time re-
duced, we should throw any advantages thus
extended to foreign nations, or should get
something in return for them.
coNsTITUTIoNALITY OF THE TARIFF.
The constitutionality of the protective tariff
| has heretofore been thoroughly established A
tariff bill avowedly for encouragement and
protection OF manufactures" was carried
through tho first congress by James Madison
| and was signed by George Washington. A third
Of a century later Andrew jackson, In a mes
sage to congress on Dec. Z, 1880, maintaining
the constitutonality OF the protective system,
said: "In this connection am confirmed as we'll
hS D1 buO OpiutOh VA iIooAhouDS " houiuKuOu,
jefferson, Madison and Monroe, who have each
repeatedly commended the execution Of this
| right under the constitution as by the uniform
| practice OF congress, continued ecquiescence
| Of the states and general understanding Of the
people" To this testimony from men who
made the constitution and from the father
| of the modern Democratic party may
| be added that of the latest high
| authority Of that party on constitutional law,
| Hon. George Ticknor Curtis, who has recently
| said: I'm common with many other democrats
| cannot subscribe TO the doctrine that the pro-
tective tariff is unconstitutional " In drafting
| and voting for this resolution, the members
| either showed dense ignorance of American
political history. OF they manifested purpose
| to win votes by deceiving the voters
/ cannot. at the bidding of these gentlemen
unlearn the lesson of my whole life.
II cannot claim TO be an authority on such
subjects can point out to Others the true source
from which 10 derive Interpretations of the con-
stitution They are to be found in
the interpretations given by the first congress,
by Washlngton's administration and by the sue
| ceedinz administrations of jefferson, Madison,
| John Quincy Adams and Jackson.
The expediency OF the protective tariff has
been vindicated by the experience OF the past
| financial success ever heard OF in the record of
| the republican management of our finances
| have resulted In the largest payment of a
national debt In the shortest time known to
| history and the simultaneous development OF
| the Industries Of the country and the pros
| peritY Of the people on o scale without
| equal Eight years ago In a mastery
nI,hlic sneech James @. Blaine called aftentton