Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1892-09-28
RAYHBBRIEP
in Comparison With That Of
President Harrison.
Grover CIeveland's Letter of
Acceptance.

He Dissects the Issues OF the Day-Tarif
Taxation UnjustinabIe in Times o
Peace-Free Trade Myth-The Fore.
Bil1-Currency--Pens
70 Hon. William l.. Wilson and Others
Committee etc:
GENTLEMEN--In responding to you,
formal notification of my nomination Ia
the presidency by the national Democracy
hope l may be permitted to say at the
outset that continued reflection and OBJ
servation have confined me in my adher-
eaee 10 the opinions which | have hereto
fore plainly and publicly declared, touch
Ing the questions involved in the canvass.
This Is time, above all others, when
these questions should be considered in the
light afforded by sober apprehension of
the principles upon which our government
Is based, and clear understanding of the
relation It benrs to the people for whose
benefit It was created. We shall thus be
supplied with d test by which the value of
any proposition relating to the nsainten-
ance and administration of our govern
ment can be ascertained, and by which the
justice and honesty OF every political ques-
ton can be- judged III doctrines or theories
are presented which do not satisfy this
+
them false and mischievous.
The protection in the exclusive use and
enjoyment of their property and earnings,
c0ncededly Constitutes she especial pur-
pose and miesion of our free government
This design is so interviewer with the
structure of our plan of rule, that failure
to protect the citizens in such use and on
joyment, or their unjustifiable diminution
by the government itself, is betrayal of
the peoples trust
We have, however, undertaken to build
great nation upon n plan especially our
own. To maintain it and to furnish
through its agency, the means for the ac-
complishment OF national objects, the
American people are willing through
federal taxation TO surrender part Of
their earnings and income.
Tariff Legislation presents a familiar
form OF federal taxation Such legislation
results MS surely in u tax upon the daily
life of our people as the tribute paid di-
rectiy into the hands of the taxgatherer.
We feel the burden of these tariff taxes too
nalpahlyy to be persuaded by any sophistry
that they do not exist, or are paid by for
eigners. Such taxes representing dimi-
mutton Of the property rights of the people
are only iustihable when laid and collected
for the purpose of maintaining our govern
ment, and furnishing the means for the
accomplishment Of its Iegitim Sepurpose
and functions This is taxation under the
operation of a tariff for revenue 1t &C
cords with the professions of American
free institutions and its justice and hon
esty answer the test supplied by correct
appreciation OF the principles upon which
these institutions rest.
This theory of tariff legislation mani
testify enJoins strict economy in public ex-
penditures and their limitation to legiti-
mate public uses, inasmuch as it exhibits
aS'abSolute eNtOrtion any eXaction, by way
OF taxation, from the substance Of the peo-
pie, beyond the necessities of careful and
proper administration of government.
Opposed to this theory, the dogma il now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is
Justiflable for the express purpose and
intent Of thereby promoting especial inter
ests and enterprises. Such proposition 70
30 clearly contrary to the spirit of our con-
stitution and so directly encourages the
disturbance by selfshness and greed of pa
trotic sentiment, that its statement would
rudely shock our people, il they had not
already been insiduously 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 sup
port of perpicious doctrine.
In its behalf, the plea that our infant in
dustries should be fostered did service I'M
I'll discredited by our stalwart growth,
then followed the exigencies Of a terrible
war which made our people Needless of the
opportunities for Interior schemes afforded
by their willing and patriotic payment Of
Unprecedented tribute; and now, after
long period OF pence when our overbur-
dened countrymen ask for relief and
restoration to a fuller enjoyment of their
incomes and earnings, they are met by the
claim that tariff taxation, for the sake of
Woteefien, is an American system, the
c4n@reance OF which liz necessary, la
order that high wages may be paid to our
workingmen and II home market be DR.,
vided for our farm products.
These pretences should no longer deceive.
The truth is that such n system is direchJ
antaRoniZed by every sentiment of Justice
and fairness of which Americans are pre-
eminently proud. 1t is also true that while
our workingmen and farmers can, least of
all our people, defend themselves against
the harder home life which such tariff Ia
alton DEGREES the workingman suffering
from the importation and employment OF
pauper labor instigated by his professed
friends, and seeking security for his inter
ests in organized cooperation, still waits
for division of the advantages secured to
his employer under cover of generous so
licitude for his wages, while the farmer is
learning that the prices of his products are
fixed in foreign markets where he suffers
from n competition invited and built up
by the system he is asked to support.
The struggle for unearned advantages at
the doors of the government tramples ca
the rights of those who patiently rely upon
assurances of American equality Every
governmental concession to clamorors
favorites invites corruption in political If
fairs by encouraging the expenditure of
money to debauch suffrage in support of n
policy directly favorable to private and
selfish gain, This in the end must strangle
patriotism and weaken popular confidence
i'll the rectitude of Republican institutions.
Though the subject Of tariff legislation
involves a question of markets, it also in
wolves question of morals, We can not
with impuuity permit injustice to faint
the spirit of night and equity which is the
life of our republc and we shall fail to
reach our national destiny II greed and
selhshness lead the way.
Recognizing these truths, the national
Democracy VIII 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 our countrymen a closer com
,munity of interests cemented by patriot
ism and national pride, and to point out a
fair fieldNwhcrc prosperous and 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 the objet
the granting of discriminating and unfair
governmental aid to private ventures, we