Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-11-03
sTEvENsoN.s LETTER.

STEvENSON,S LETTER.
Presidency Finally Issues HIS Letter Oh
Acceptance-He Pays . Pretty Compii-
ment to His Chtef-What He Saw In the
South-He Denounccs the Lodge Bill.
| CHARLESTON, W. Va, Nov. 1.-The
following letter of acceptance was sent
Saturday to the chairman of the demo
cratic notification COMMITTEES:
CHARLESTON, W. Va, Oct. ..
Hon. ". L. WILSON, CHAIRMAN. Erc--When
| accepted the honor conferred upon me by the
| convention over which You presided l prom
ised to indicate by letter in a more formal man
ner my acceptance OF the nomination rendered
me by the assembled representatives OF the
democratic party Of the United States. since
that time have been engaged continu lily be-
fore the public OF many states discussing the
! issues emphasized by the convention and
president. Grover Cleveland, Oppor-
| tunity has thus hean denied me to write
with the care I would like to do the more for
mai answer promised to your committee. The
full discussion OF public questions. commonly
expected from candidate for vice president
has been rendered less imperative by the COM
piese presentation of the democratic creed by
the gentleman with whom have the honor to
be associated as candidate on the national
ticket. His treatment OF the issues now be-
ioTe tie country IOr discussion and Settfemeut
was SO complete that can do Gttls more than
1ndorse his position and give 1t the emphasis of
my unqualified approval.
The greatest power conferred upon hui
man government Is that of taxation. All
the great struggles OF the past for q broader
political liberty have looked towards the limi-
tation OF this power-ths right to taxa right
which should always be limited by the necessi-
ties OF the government and the benefits of
which may be shared by all Whenever this
power Is used to draw tribute from the many
Tor the benefit OF the few, when part of the
people are oppressed in order that the re-
mainder may prosper unduly, equality Is
lost sight of. injustice hardens into pre-
cedent, which is used to excuse new
exactions and there arises artificial
distinctions which benef.iaries coma to look
upon in due time vested rights. sacred to
themselves. 1t is plain that our system OF tar
i'll exaction has promoted the growth o. such
condition in our land, favored though it las
been by an industrious and enterprising peo.
pie, friendly climate, productive soil, and
the highest development Of political liberty.
II the benefciaries OF this system shall
be able TO add a new tenure of power
to those they have already enjoyed,
the development of these unfavorable con Ii
tons must continue, until the power to tax
Will be lodged in those who willing and
able to pay for the perDetuation OF privileges
originally conferred by confiding people, for
the preservation inviolate of their own govern
Aieht. Atlcfe Is no iOu2CT pTcLSXG OF excuse LOT
the maintenance of war tariff in tir,s of
peace and mora than quarter Of cen ury
after armed conflict has ceased. The platform
of the national democratic convention de-
mand the reform of this system and tn, adop-
ton in its place Of one which will insure equal
liy to all orr people. am in full and hearty
accord with these purposes.
The convention also declared its position
the currency question in unmeanipg words,
when it said in its platform: I'VE hold to the
% h0kt, IL
money OF the country and to the coinage OF
both gold and silver. without discriminating
against either mntal or charge for nintage. but
the dollar unit OF coinage Of both metals mist
be OF equal intrinsic and exchanasable
value or be adjusted through in
ternational agreement or by such safe
guard of legislation as shall insure the parity
Of the two metals and the equa! power of every
dollar at all times in the market. ami in pay
ment of d abt and we demand that all paper
currency shall be kept at par with and redeem
ab g in such COIN
To this plain and unequivocal declaration in
favor of sound, honest money subscribe with
out reservation or qualification. As circul.-
ting medium is absolutely essential to the pro-
lection of the business interests of our coun
try. whila to the wage Garner or the farmer it
is all-important that every dollar. wha'evar its
form, that finds its way into his pocket shall be
of equal, unquestionsd and universal exchang-
able value and of equal purchasing power.
Another ISSUE of great moment is tn pend
ing contest is the force I'LL, the magnitude Of
which cannot be overstatel. It may moan the
control of the election of representatives in
congress by the bavonet. The republican
party, by its acts in the Fifty first congress
and by its platform in its late national conven-
tion stands pledged to the passay' Of this bill.
That it will pass it when it has the power no
sane man can doubt. To all of our people who
desire the peace of our common country this
question is all important.
Sinca nOYpiDa tipn I have haon N aiCIlf If
the southern and southwestern states of the
Union. and have talked with all classes and
conditions there. found general and grow
ing apprehensions Of evils which it is believed
would fasult in the passage of the Lodga bill or
similar Threatened legislation.
I find the Industries established by northern
c~pital during Dir. C1sveland's administr alton
in langushing condition: that the immigra.
ton Of labor, and the investment Of capital, in
vited to those states by their then peaceful
condition. had IN large measure ceased. The
enactment of a force bill into law while it
would threaten tie liberties Of the entire
people would undoubtedly retard the
material growth Of the states at which
it is especially aimed; would incite
in many communities race troubles, and invite
retaliafory legislation. which would disturb
property values and discontinue and destroy
the security of northern Investments. And it's
ie f'ex action upon the northern states would
result in a consequent loss OF commercial and
trade relations with the vast territory now be-
coming tributary to their wealth and pros
parity.
I say nothing of the inherent vice of the
un-AmericGn and revolutionary spirit involved
in the Lodge bill. which was pronounced by a
republican senator ''tne most infamous that
ever crossed the threshold OF tie Seoate.
appeal to the ms met OF self interest and COM
mon justice in the American pacple. The era
OF good feeling and renewed commercial re1a-
tions, commencing with the election
of Mr.. Cleveland in 1871, should
not be INTERRUPTED by the in
auguration of a policy which tends to de-
stroy popular representation ami the purity of
self govern which furnished an in
strunent to discrecited federal power to
perpetual. itself: which seeks to keep alive
sectional jsalouses AMI strife: which threaten
commercial interests. and which offers no ex-
custa Or paliation for its existence except the
perpet uation in power If political party
which, has lost public conf !ence
ACCEPT the nomination rendered me and
should the action OF the convention meet the
approval of my countrymen, will. to the best
of my ability, discharge faithfully tho duties
OF the important position conferred on me.
Very respectfully.
ADLAI E. STEVENSON.
An Editor Sentenced.