New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-19
MR.. REID'S ACCEPTANCE.
HE REVIEWS THE POLITICAL SITUATION
THE VITAL ISSUES. HE SAYS. ARE THOSE RE
LATING TO THE TARIFF AND THE


LATING TO THE TARIFF AND THE
CURRENCY
The letter Of Whtelaw Reid to the Chairman Of
the Committee instructed by the Minneapolis
Convention 10 advise him of his nomination for
vice-President Of the United States was given
out for publication last night. 1t is as follows:
Hon. W. T. Durhn. Anderson Ind.
Dear Sir: When the nomination with which the
National Convention had honored me formally
announced by your committee I accepted 1t at onos.
In doing so l accepted also the principles set
forth in the resolutions adopted by the Convention as
the basis OF It's appeal TO the popular suffrage.
To do other less than this is TO any honorable
man, impossbinty political party Is an associa-
ton Of citizens seeking 10 have the Government con-
Quoted in accordance with It's Views, and presenting
candidates whom 1t strives to elect for that purpose
To accept its nomination without intending to carry
out Its principles would be dishonorabe and ss
criminal TO procure goods under false pretences.
There will be misunderstanding as to the pur-
poses of the Republican party In this contest and no
doubt to the attitude OF its candidates. What 1t
intends 1t has set forth In language that cannot DO
mistaken and they will strive, by all the lawful
In their power. 10 enforce Its plainly expressed
will. Since my interview with your committee, further
reflection and careful attention TO the arguments on
both sides In ,hs current public discussion have con-
frmed my belief In the wisdom OF the Republican
declarations we'll in the lucid cantor with which
they have been presented.
The party plaforms-so- -called-are more important
this year than usual. Both the leading candidates
have commanded the approval of the American
people In its highest form OF expression. Attention
is therefore concentrated less on the men them
selves and more the principles each Is put for
ward to represent and would in OF election, be
required to curry out.
The declarations OF opponents demand a still
fIatr povy
them the first opportunity they have had since
1859 to put In practice their policy. Never, sncs
that date have they had control at once both In the
executive and the legislative departments OF the
Government This year the election OF President
clearly carries with 1t maorites In both houses OF
Congress.
THE VITAL ISSUES.
1t is obvious that, in the common judgment OF
the people in ali parts Of the country, the really
vital Issues which this year divide parties and de-
mand a popular decision, are those relating TO the
tariff and the currency Fortunately both sides have
stated their positions these subjects with direct
ness, simplicity and frankness. The issues thus maze
between the rival candidates for the popular suffrage
specially sharp and distinct.
ATTITUDE OF EACH PARTY on THE TARIFF
We favor a Protective tariff. and. when in fun
power made the present one. Our opponents favor
tariff for only, and promise the repeal
Of the present one.
We maintain that the tariff should the differ
ence In the cos OF the home and foreign product,
CAUSED by the difference in the home and foreign
wages for the labor employed upon II. our op-
ponents distinctly repudiated the proposition that
American wages should he considered In he matter
and declared instead that tariff levied Tor anything
but revenue only unconstitutional. As The
London Times OF September IS very naturally re-
marked This policy, II fairly and logically carried
out is not to be distinguished from Free Trade 10
the practical form In which we are familiar with H.
. n protective duties are unconstitutional. as was
asserted at Chicago financial egerdemain can pro-
duce any other .readjustment than that which would
naturally follow the removal Of all imposts tending
70 bolster up particular branches of Industry ana
commerce."
shoud the American people choose the Re-
pubcan candidates the present tariff would stand or5
when amended. would only be so changed as 10
insure closer conformity In practice to the principles
ON which II was made. II opponents should be
chosen their Congress IS pledged 10 the repeal OF the
present tariff and the adoption OF one arranged ior
revenue ony and heir Executive is pledged to the
doctrine that tariff having regard also for American
wages Is unconstitutional, so that the only new one
thai could escape Presidential veto must be OF The
kind which The London Tines considers equivalent
to Free Trade
We maintain that the present tariff has WORKED
well that il has developed American manufactures,
steadied and increased American wages and promoed
the general prosperity. our opponents uehy 'na'
there has been any Of prosperity under the
present tariff declare that wages have been reducea
and denounce the Republican policy which. as they
say fosters other industry so much as that OF tns
sheriff
We favor the system by which, when we thinR
the country ready for the reduction abolition OF
duties we insist upon getting corresponding ana re-
ciprocal advantages from foreign countries as the
condition OF their enjoying these advantages In our
own markets Our opponents denounce this Reci-
procity as a sham. and therefore nlercnt!aly pledge
themselves TO Its repeal.
The sharp issues thus presented for the decision Of
the American people cover more comprehensiveiy
and more specifically than before the whole
range OF considerations relating to Protective tariff
It's consmtionality It's expedlency, its relation 20
wages It's practical workings and the question
whether as II is from time to time reduced We should
throw away the advantages thus extended to foreign
nations or should get something In return Tor them.
A PROTECTIVE TARIFF not UNCONSTITUTIONAL
The con,titutonalty OF protective tariff has here
to,ore been thought established tariff bill avowedly
for the encouragement and protection OF manu.
tactures was carried through the Ist Congress by
lanes Madison and was signed by George Washington
A third OF century later. Andrew Jackson. in q
message TO Congress December T. lS30, maintaining
the constitutlonay Of the protective system said;
" In this conclusion l am confirmed rs well by the
opIuons OF Presidents Washington, Jefferson. Madison
and Monroe who have each repeatedly recommended
the exercise Of this right under the Constitution as by
the uniform practice Of Congress. the continued
acquescence Of the States and the general understand
ing Of the people" TO this testimony from the men
who made the Constitution. and from the father OF
the modern Democratic party, may be added that OF
the latest high authority OF that party on consttu-
tional law the Hon. George Ticknor Curtis, who has
racantIv said: "In common with many other Demo-
Gratis | cannot subscribe 10 the doctrine that Pro-
tective tariff IS unconstitutional In drafting and
voting for this resolution. the members either showed
dense Ignorance OF American political history they
manifested a purpose 10 win votes by deceiving the
voters I cannot at the bidding Of these gentlemen.
unlearn the lessons OF my whole life. -. II cannot
clam TO be an authority such subjects. can point
out to Others the sources from which to derive
OF the Constitution. They to