The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-09-27
.CLEVELAND'S LETTER
CLEAR, COMPREHENSIVE AND
STRAIGHTFOKW PAPER.
The Meaning Appears on the Line,
Not Between 1.-THE Demo-
cratic Creed.

By Telegraph to the State Chronicle.
To Hon. William L. Wilson and others,
Committee, etc.
GENTLEMEN In responding to your
formal notification of my nomination to
the presidency, by the national democracy,
hope l may be permitted to say at the
outset that continued reflection and OBJ
servation have confirmed me in my ad
herence to the opinions with which l
heretofore plainly and publicly declared,
touching the questions involved in the
canvass. This is time, above all others,
cred in the light afforded by sober ap-
prehenson of the principles upon which
our government is based, and clear nm
derstanding Of the relation it bears to
the people for whose benefit it was
created. We shall thus be supplied with
test by which the value of any PROPOSE
tion relating to the maintenance and ad
| ministration of our government can be
ascertained, and by which the justice and
honesty of every political question be
Judged. If doctrines or theories are
presented which do not satisfy this test,
local Americanism must pronounce them
false and mischevOus.
The protection of the people in the ex-
elusive use and enjoyment of their prop
erty and earnings cOncededly constitutes
the especial purpose and mission OF our
free government. This design is so inter
woven with the structure OF our plan OF
rule that failure to protect the citizen in
such use and enjoyment or their unJustl-
fable diminution by the government it
self, is a betrayal of the peoples trust
We have, however, undertaken to build
great nation upon plan especially our
own. To maintain it 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 part of
their earnings and income. Tariff legis-
lation presents a familiar form of Fed
eral taxation. Such legislation results as
surely in tax upon the daily life of our
people as the tribute paid directly into
the hands of tax-gatherers. We feel the
. burden of these tariff taxes too palpably
to be persuaded by any sophistry that
{ they do not exist, or are paid by foreign
ers. Such taxes representing dimi-
mutton of the property rights OF
the people, are only justiiabe
when laid and collected for the
purpose of maintaining our government
and furnishing the means for the accom-
i plishment of its Legitimate purposes and
j functions This is taxation under the
3 operation of tariff for revenue. L
. accords with the professions of American
. free institutions and its justice and hon
T. esty answer the lest supplied by a cor
g rect appreciation of the principles upon
T. which these institutions rest
This theory of tariff legislation mani
festly enjoins strict economy in public
expenditures and their limitation to legi
innate uses, in as much as it exhibits a
i absolute extortion and eXaction, by wa,
eff taxation, from the substance of tn
people, beyond the necessities of
careful and proper administration o
government. Opposed to this theor
the dogma is now boldly presented, tha
:, !, tariff taxation is ustifable for th
E. express purpose and intent of thereb
h, promoting especial interests and entel
~ prises. Such proposition is so clearl
W W contrary to the spirit of our const
ID tuition and SO directly encourages tt
to disturbance by selishness an
is greed of patriotic sentiment that i
OF statement would rudely shock our peopl
q if they had not already been insiduOusl
.,as allured from the safe land marks
- principle. Never have honest desire f,
o. national growth, patriotic devotion
lie country, and sincere regard for tho
en who toll been SO betrayed to the suppO
Of pernicious doctrine In its behal
Us the plea that our infant industries shou
- be fostered did service until discredite
Of by our stalwart growth. Then follow,
10, the exigenies of a terrible war whi'
made our people needless of the oppC
"a tunities for ulteriOr schemes afforded
I'd their willing and patriotic payment
unprecedented tribute; and now, after
'o on long period of peace, when our owe
% burdened countrymen ask for relief al
sm for a restoration to the enjoyment of the
at incomes and earnings, they are met
er the claim that tariff taxation for the sa
ON of protection is an American system t
= continuance of which is necessary in
- der that high wages may be paid to c
- workingmen and home market pl
vided for our farm products.
These pretenses should no longer {
IS ceive. The truth is that such system
~ slii directly antagOnized by every sentim
1 eco of justice and fairness of which Anne
ner cans are pre-eminently proud. 1t is a
ate true that while our wOrkingmen q
; in farmers can, the least of all our peol
ons defend themselves against the har
cor home life which such tariff taxation
crees, the working man suffering fir
, the importation and employment of p
. . per labor instigated by his profes
~ friends and seeking security for his
- terests in organized cooperation, S
} waits for division of the advantages
cured to his employer under the cover
lble a generous solicitude for his wages, wi
any the farmer is learning that the prices
his products are fixed in foreign markt
where he suffers from a competition
vited and built up by the system h
asked to support The struggle for
s earned advantage at the doors of
in ini. government tramples on the rights
" those who patiently rely upon ass
ances of American equality. Ev
governmental concession to clan
Gus favorites invites corrupt
uer in political affairs by encoul
No ing the expenditure of money to deba
cad suffrage in support of policy
rectly favorable to private and sci
gain. This in the end, must s.ran
j. patriotism and weaken popular Co
are dence in the rectitude of republ
cord institutions. Though the subject
tariff legislation involves a questio
morals, we cannot. with impunity
nit injustice to taint the light
Ina, equity, which is the life of the reput
G.. and we shall fail to reach our natl
destiny if greed and selfishness
- the way. Recognizing these truths,
Q Sc national democracy will seek, by
.1ck- publication just and sound pri
Al A., Dles to eOualiZe to Our neODle the b