The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-09-21
The Letter of Acceptance.



allel in the annals Of American politics.
We have had in the country great state
papers upon large variety Of occasions,
but, now, for the first time in our Nation
tional history, there appears above the
waves letter Of acceptance which is q
masterpiece. Who ever thinks Of going
back to or quoting with pride any previ-
Gus letter Of acceptance? All served their
purpose and we're soon lost to view. The
first sea that was high enough to wear
white cap passed over the best Of them
and it was no longer remembered. But
waves may dash against this towering,
rock-Iibbed argument and it viii still
stand a monument Of superb aud classic
political writing.
The President is known to be quick
and felicitous on the spur ofthe moment,
but this letter shows the advantage Of
long reflection. He waited until be had
a clear idea Of the DISTINCTIVE issues Of
this campaign, as joined between the two
great parties, and then set himself to the
task Of making the whole matter plain.
Nothing which he had ever said As Sena-
tor gave promise of such mastery Ofgreat
subjects. some men need the incentive
Of great occasions to call them out, others
again, like General Palmer, are least
when the occaaon is the greatest. Gen
ersl Harrison is a striking example Of
the former, and so was General Grant
If the latter had remained in private life
he would never have developed any Of
that remarkable felicity Of expression
which makes his memoir a model Of
good English, and ifGeneral Harrison
had not been raised 10 the Presidency he
would never have achieved greatness in
the line Of literary expression, as he GER
tainly has done This letter is severely
logical, yet, when opportunity oilers.
grsndly rhetorical. There is beauty Of
expression and pathos Of thought in the
reference to the soldiers. Here are bis
words in full on that subject
The Union soldiers and sailors are nOw
veterans of time as well as Of war. The
parallels Of age have approached close to
the citaGels Of life. and the end for each
Of brave and honorable struggle is not
remote. Increasing inirminity and years
give the minor tones Of sadness and
pathOs TO the mighty appeal Of service
and suffering. The ear that does not
listen with sympathy and the heart that
does not respond with generosity, are the
ear and heart Of an alien, AMI not of an
American. Now soon again the surviv-
ing veterans are TO parade upon the great
avenues Of the National Capital and
every tribute Of honor and love should
attain the march. A comrade IN the col
umn Of the yictors' parade of lS65, ] am
not less a cOmrade now.
1t is simply impossible to conceive
how anything could be in better taste
and more felicitous than this. II is a gem
worthy the same setting as the soldier
dream Of Ingersoll. Time and incident
will not detract from its value. Itdeserves
TO be emblazoned over the main entrance
Of every soldiers home in the country,
and to be treasured with the war relics Of
every private home which has a musket
or sword to preserve in honorable
memory Of war days. The last sentence
has it is true temporary and also per-
sonal reference, entirely appropriate to
the occasion, as the next 20 the last has
an occasional reference, which applies
only to the immediate, but herest Of the
passage can never lose its luster.
The President shows good judgment in
the relative importance attached to
different subjects, and the order of their
discussion. While the tariff, With its
eollaterals, reciprocity and foreign COM
merce, are given much more attention
than any other topic, and the achieve
ments Of the Republican party are dwelt
upon f2r more than the failures of the
Democracy, the iront rank is accorded
the Democratic proposition 70 restore the
State banks Of issue. What the Presi-
dent says on that subject should be is
sued as a tract by itself, and sowed
broadcast. Many men would not read a
letter several columns in length who
eagerly take Ia a short treatise ike that,
and so far as concerns the money ques-
ton it is complete, or would be with this
passage about bimetallism attached 70 it.
There is nothing special about the latter.
but the case Of vii l-cst bills is put
most admirably.
The review Of our foreign relations, as
well as Of our industrial and trade rela-
tions, can not fail % be read with pride
and satisfaction. But nothiagin all the
letter is more admirable than the closing
passage. Il is such feiicitous, strong
and truthful summary that, like the trib-
ute to patriotism, it deserves TO be treas
ured and pondered. 1t is as follows
A change in the personnel ola Nation
al administration is Of comparatively
little moment if those exercising public
function are able, honest, diligent, and
faithful. Others possessing all these
qualities may be found 70 take their
places. But change IN the laws and in
administrative policies are Of great mo-
ment. When public affairs have been
given direction and business has adj
justed itself to these lines, any sudden
change involves a stOppags and new bus
iness adjustments. If the change Of di-
reCtion Is 50 radical as 10 bring the CON-
mercial turn-tabIe into use, the business
chances involved are not readjustmenls,
but reconstructiOns. The DemOcratic
party offers a programme Of demolition.
The protective pciicy, 70 which ali busi-
ness, even that of the importer, is nov
adjusted, the reciprocity policy, the new
merchant marine, are ali 10 be demOiish-
ed, not gradually, not taken dJsn. but
blown down. To this programme Of de-
structiOn IL has added one constructive
feature, the rc-establishment of State
banks Of issue.
The policy of:he Republican party is,
on thu other hand, dIstncii civ a policy
Of safe pr, erosion and deyelopmeut--0r
new factories. new markets and neW ships.
10 Will sutJ-Cl business 10 no periloUs
changes, bur oGsrs attractive opportuGi-
tie for expansion upon familiar lines
Absent -MlndedneSs.
Il was with a surveying party in New
Mexico said an old civil engineer. "Our