The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-10-01
Ex-President CleVeland's Letter of
Acceptance.


To he Hon. YIN. L. Wilson aud Others, Committee,
Hc-Gentlemen: In responding to your formal
notification of my nomination to the presidency by
| the national Democracy, / hope may be permitted
to say at the outset that continued reflection and
observation have confirmed me in my adherence to
the opinions which l have heretofore plainly and
publicly declared touching the questions involved
in the canvass.
This Is the time above all Others when these ques-
tons should be considered in the light afforded by
a sober apprehension of the principles upon which
our government is based and 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 Ifdoctrines or theories are present
cd which do not satisfy this test loyal Americansm
must pronounce them false and mischievous
Tariff for Revenue.
The protection of the people in the exclusive use
and enjoyment of their property and earnings con-
| cededy constitutes the especial purpose and mis-
sion of our free government This design is so in
tcrwoven with the structure of plan Of rule that
failure to pro the citizen in such and enjoy
ment or their unjustiiable diminuton by the gov
eminent itself, is a betrayal of the peoples trust.
We have, however, undertaken to build great
nation upon plan especially our own. To main
tain it and TO furnish through its agency the means
| for the accomplishment of national objects, the
American people willing through federal taxa
ton to surrender part of their earnings and in
come.
Tariff legislation presents familiar form of
federal taxation. Such legislation results surely
i'll a tax upon the daily life of Our people as the
tribute paid directly into the hand of the tax gath
| IL, G.nl fI,, burd pf thnsa far ia too
papably to be persuaded by any sophstry that they
do not exist or are paid by foreigners.
Such taxes representing diminutiOn of the
property rights of the people, are only iuStifable
| when laid and collected for the purpose of main
tanning our government, and furnishing the means
for the accomplishment of its legitimate purposes
| and functions. This is taxation under the opera
ton of tariff for revenue. 1t accords with the pro-
fessions of American free institutions and its justice
and honesty answer the test supplied by correct
appreciation of the principles upon which these in
| situations rest
This theory of tariff legislation manifestly enjons
strict economy in public expenditures and their
Limitation TO legitimate public uses inasmuch as it
exhibits absolute eXtortion any exaction, by way
of taxation, from the substance of the people be-
yond the necessities of careful and proper admin
| istration Of government
Dogma of Protection.
| Opposed TO this theory the dogma is now boldly
presented that tariff taxation is justiiable for the
| express purpose and intent of thereby promoting
| especial interests and enterprises Such PROPOSE
ton is clearly contrary TO the spirit of our cons
tuition and so directly encourages the disturbance
by selshness and greed of patriotic sentiment that
its statement would rudely shock people if they
had not already been insidiously allured from the
safe landmarks of principle. Never have honest
desire for national growth, patriotic devotion to
country and sincere regard for those who toll been
so betrayed to the support ofa pernicious doctrine
In its behalf the plea that our infant industries
should be fostered did service until discredited by
our stalwart growth then followed the exigencies
| of terrible war which made our people needless
! of the opportunities for Interior schemes afforded
by their willing and patriotic payment of unprece
| dented tribute, and now, after long period OF
peace, when our oyerburdened countrymen ask for
relief and a restoration to a fuller enjoyment of
their incomes and earnings, they are met by the
claim that tariff taxation for the sake of protection
is an American system, the continuance of which
is necessary in order that high wages may be paid
| to our workingmen and home market be provided
for our farm products.
Deceptive Pretenses.
These pretenseS should no longer deceive. The
truth is that such II system is directly antagonized
by every sentiment of justice and fairness of which
Americans are pre-emnently proud. 1t is also true
that while our workingmen and farmers can, the
least of all people defend themselves against the
harder home life which such tariff taxation decrees
| the workingman, suffering from the importation
and employment of pauper labor instigated by his
professed friends and seeking security for his in
teress in organized cooperation, still waits for
division of the advantages secured TO his employer
under cover OF a generous solicitude for his wages
while the farmer is learning that the prices of his
products are fixed iii foreign markets. where he suf-
fers from a competition invited and built up by the
system he is asked to support
A Question of Morals.
The struggle for unearned advantage at the doors
of the government trampes on the rights OF those
who patiently rely upon assurances of American
equality. Every governmental concession to clam
orous favorites invites corruption in political Affairs
by encouraging the expenditure of money to de-
bauch suffrage in support of policy directly favor
able to private and selfish gain. This in the end
must strangle patriotism and weaken popular con-
idenee i'll the recttude of Republican institutions
Though the subject of tariff legislation involves
question of markets. it also involves question OF
morals. We cannot with impunity permit injustice
to faint the spirit of right and equity, which is the
life of our republic and shall fail to reach our
national destiny if greed and selfishness lead the
way
IaNHtlOu MuSt ne E4uohAcu'
.Recognizng these truths the national Democracy
will seek by the application of just and sound
principles to equalize to our people the blessings
due them from the government they support to
promote among countrymen closer com
munity of interests cemented by patriotism and
national pride, and to point out fair field where
prospefous aud diversified American enterprise
may grow and thrive in the wholesome atmosphere
of American industry, ingenuity and Intelligence
Tariff reform Is still our purpose Though we
oppose the theory that tariff laws may be passed
having for their object the granting of discriminate
ing and unfair governmental aid to private
ventures we wage exterminating war
AGAINST any American interests. We believe
a readjustmont eau be accomplished in ae-
cordance with the principles we profess without
disaster demolition. We believe that the adj
vantages of freer material should be accorded
to our manufacturer and we contemplate fair and
careful distribution of necessary tariff burdens
rather than the precipitation of free trade.
We anticipate with calmness the misrepresenta-
tlon of our motives and purposes, instigated by a
selhshness which seeks to hold in unrelenting
grasp its unfair advantage under present tariff
laws We will rely upon the intelligence of our
fellow eounlrymen to reject the charge thai party
comprising 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
The Force Bill.
The administration and management OF our gov
; eminent depends upon popular will. Federal power
is the instrument of that will-not its master.
Therefore the attempt of the opponents of Democ-
racy to Interfere with and control the suffrage of
the States through federal agencies develops de-
sign, which no explanation mitigate, to re-
verse the fundamental and safe relations between
the people and their government. Such an attempt
cannot fail to DO regarded by thoughtful men as
proof of bold determination to secure the ascen-
dancy of dscredited party in reckless disregard Of
free expression of the popular will. To resist
such scheme is an impulse of Democracy. At all
times and in all places we trust the people. As
against disposition to force the way to federal
power we present to them claim to their con-
idence and support steady championship of their