Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1892-10-01
HE ACCEPTS.
Grover Cleveland Dissects the
Issues of the Day.
Iarlf-Toxation Beyond the Necessi-
ties Of Economical Government
III Times of Peace UnJustiiiable-He Says:
"iariH Reform Is stin Our Purpose"
The Force BIl, The Currency,
Pensions, Nicaragua Canal

"entlemen-ln responding to your
formal notification of my nomination
to the presidency by the national de,
mocracy, | hope l may be permitted to
say at the outset, that continued refiec.
ton and observation have confirmed me
In my adherence to the opinions which
have heretofore plainly and publicly
declared touching the questions involved
in the canvass.
This is the time, above all others,
when these questions should be consid-
cred in the light afforded by sober
apprehension of the principles upon
which our government is based and a
clear understanding 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
proposition relating to the maintenance
and administration Of our government
can be aScertained and by which the
justice and honesty of every political
question can be judged. If doctrines
or theories are presented which do not
satisfy this test, loyal Americanism
must pronounce them false and mis-.
chicvous.
"Ihe protection Of the people in the
exclusive use and enjoyment of their
property and earnings concedcdly con-
stitutes the especial purpose and
mission of our free government
This design is so interviewer
with the structure of our plan of
rule that failure to protect the citizen
in such use and enjoyment, or their un-
justitiable dimnution by the govern
ment itself, is betrayal of the peoples
trust
"We have, however, undertaken to
build II great nation upon a plan cspe-
cially our own. To maintain it and to
furnish, through its agency, the means
for the accomplishment OF national OBJ
iects, the American people are willing
through federal taxation to surrender
part of their earnings and income.
Tariff legislation pocscnts a familiar
form of federal taxation Such lcgisla-
tion results as surely in a tax upon the
daily life of our people as the tribute
paid directly into the hand of the tax
gather. We feel the burden of these
tariff taxes too palpably to be persuad-
ed by any sophistry that they do not
exist, or are paid by foreigners.
"Such taxes, representing n diminu-
tion of the property rights of the peo-
pie, are only justitiablc when laid and
collected for the purpose of maintain
ing onr government, and furnishing
the means for the accomplishment Of
its legitimate purposes and functions
This is taxation under the operation of
Il tariff for revenue 1t accords with
the professions of American free insti-
tutions, and its justice and honesty
answer the test supplied by correct
appreciation of the principles upon
which these institutions rest
"'rhc theory of tariff legislation man
ifestly cnjons strict economy in public
expenditures, and their limitation to le-
gitimatc public uses, inasmuch as it en-
hio''s as absolute eNtortion any exac-
'loh oy way OF 'aNatoh RON 'he sub
stance OF inc people peyohu the heces-
sues OF car'Iu' an" proper ao'''''i'S-
lralioh OF government
opposed 10 'his 'ileory, the oosi,a Is
now po'oly presented lilaI 'arill taN-
a''oh Is JuSt'''ao'e i"r 'ne express pur-
pose ana intent Oh t''reuy Proii'ot'''s
cspec'al interests ana enterprises Such
u aproposl''oh Is so e!eariS contrary 10
the spirlt OF our conSlltut'on' ana so d.
reetIy encourages inc disturbance ny
seltshness ana greed OF pa'riotlc senti-
meht' 'ha' lts statement "oulo ruoc'y
shock our people IL 'ney nao ho' a.
ready been lhsidiously ullureu from the
safe landmarks OF princlple. never
have honest desire for the National
growth, patriotic devotion to country
and sincere regard for those who toll
been SO betrayed to the support OF n
pernicious uoctrile'
IN lts pehal1, the pea tiat our III,
1ant industries shouia DC los'ereo oia
service uh'il o'screo''eu oy gu, s'a,'
wart GROWTH tncn ioilo"eo .he eAl-
gencies OF tcrrioie war; w''ch mace
our people heeo'ess oil tne opportunities
1or ultcr'or schemes ai'ofoeo oy 'he'f
Wiling ana patriotic payment OF uh-
preccoentca tr'on'e' ana ho"' ai'er d
long period OF peace Wreh our over,
burdened countrymen ask Tor rcliei ana
a restoration to a ruler enjoyment OF
their incomes ana earnings, t'ey are
met by the claim 'hat 'ar''' taxation
for the sake OF protection is an hmeri-
can system the continuance OF "h'ch Is
necessary in order that hiSh wages may
be paid to our workinSmen' ana a nome
market be provided 1or our iar'i' Proo-
ucts.
"These pretenses Should no longer
deceive The truth is tha' Sucn syS-
TEN Is directly antasomz'o py every
sentiment OF justice ana FAIRNESS ol
which Americans are pre-emineh'iy
proud. 1t is also true that, while our
workingmcn and farmers can, the ieasV
of all our people, defend themselves
against the harder home me whch
such tariff taxation increases the worK-
ingman suffering from the Importation
and employment of pauper labor, IN
stigated by his professed frienus anu
seeking security for his interests
in organized cooperation, sun