The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-09-30
4 RR,EF SUMMARY
OF Cleveiand's Letter of Acceptance. An
Able and Characteristic Document

latter of Grover Cleveland accepting
the nomination as the Democratic can
d;date for President of tho United
States
.. To Hon. W. L. Wilson and Others,
Committee, Etc,
GENTLEMEN In responding to your
formal notification of my nomination
TO the Presidency by the National De-
mocracy, hope | may be permitted to
say at the outset that continued refiec-
ton and observation have confirmed
in me my adherence to the opinions,
which heretofore plainly and public
" declared, touching the questions in
yolved in this canvass.
This is time. above all others,
when these questions should be con-
sidered in the light offered 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 sup
piled with test by which the value of
any proposition relating to the main
tenance and administration of our gov
eminent can be ascertained, and by
which the justice and honesty ofevery
political question can be judged. If
doctrines or theories are presented
which do not satisfy this test, loyal
Americanism must pronounce them
false and mischievous.n
Mr.. Cleveland then treats at some
length the question of tariff legislation.
Tariff taxes are only justified he
declares, ''whep made and collected
for the purpose of maintaining our gov
eminent and furnishing the means for
the accomplishment of its legitimate
purposes and functions, and the theory
that tariff taxation is justifable for the
express purposes of promoting special
interests and enterprises, he pronounc-
es clearly contrary to the spirit of our
constitution. He says: Tariff re-
form is still our purpose. Though we
oppose the theory that tariff laws may
be passed having for their object the
granting of discriminating and unfair
government aid to private ventures, we
wage no exterminating war against
any American interests. We believe
a readjustment can be accomplished,
in accordance with the principles we
profess, without disaster or demolition.
We believe that the advantages of free
raw material should be accorded to our
manufacturers and we contemplate
careful distribution of necessary bur-
dens, rather than the precipitation of
free trade.
I'VE anticipate with calmness the
Misrepresentation of our motives and
purposes instigated by selfishness
which seeks to hold in unrelenting
grasp it's unfair advantage under pres
ent tariff laws. We will rely upon the
intelligence of our fellow countrymen
to reject the charge that party com
prising the majority of our people is
planning the destruction or injury OF
American interests, and we know they
cannot be frightened by the spectre of
impossible free trade"
Continuing, Mr.. Cleveland says:
1.-THE people are entitled to sound and
honest money. abundantly sufficient in
volume to supply their business needs.
But whatever may be the form of the
peoples currency, national or state
whether gold, silver, or paper-it should
be so regulated and guarded by gov
eminent action, or by wise and care
full laws, that no one can be deluded
as to the certainty and stability OF its
value. Every dollar put into the hands
of the people should be of the same
intrinsic value or purcashing power
With this condition absolutely guar
anteed, both gold and silver can be
safely utilized, upon equal terms, Ia
the adjustment of our currency"
Mr.. Cleveland advocates an honest
adherence to the letter and spirit OF
civil service reform He declares for
a liberal consideration for our veteran
soldiers and for the families of those
who have died, but thinks that our
pension roll should be ga roll of honor,
uncontaminated by ill-desert and UNI
vitiated by demagogic use" He be-
lieveS that our generous hospitality
which prompts Us to welcome the
worthy and industrious of all lands Is
not violated by careful and reasona-
Vie I6RuldilOiS lOi INC PiVANNtloi W
the public health, nor does 1t justify
the reception of immigrants whose
presence among us is a menace to
peace and order.
He deems the Nicaragua ship canal
worthy of government support and
commends the Columbian exposition.
Mr. Cleveland closes by saying:
Called for the third time to repre-
sent the party of my choice in con-
test for the supremacy of Democratic
principles, my grateful appreciation OF
its confidence, less than ever, effaces
the solemn sense of my responsibility.
IF the action of the convention you
represent shall be endorsed by the suf-
frages OF my countrymen, l will as
sumo the duties of the great office for
which | have been nominated, know
ing full well its labor and perplexities.
and with humble reliance upon the