Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-10-06
CLEVELAND ACCEPTS.
a1s Letter to the Democratic Mott
Acation COMMITTEES.

1
| Acation Committee.
His Views on the Tariff and Other Nation
| al Matters-The Force Bill Severely
Crtticised-Finance and ImnI-
! grafton Touched Upon.
NEW YORK, Sept 27.-Grover C1eve-
Land yesterday gave out his letter ac-
| cepting the presidential nomination by
the democratic party. It is as follows:
| Hon William l. Wilson and others, commit
Gentlemen: In responding to youi brmsl
eotincation OF my nomination to the presi-
dency by the national democracy, hope may
be permitted to say at the outset that contin-
ued renect1on and observation have confirmed
me in my adherence to the opinions which I
have heretofore plainly and publicly declared
touching the questions involved in the canvass
This is a time above all others when these
questions should be considered In the light az
forded by sober apprehension of the principles
upon which our government Is based and q
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 govern
ment can be ascertained and by which the JUS
tice and honesty of every political question can
be Judged If doctrines or theories pre-
sented which do not satisfy this test loyal
Americans must pronounce them false and mis-
chievous-
use and enjoyment OF their property and earn
ings concededly constitutes the special purpose
and mission of our free government This de-
sign is SO interviewer with the structure Of our
plan OF rule that failure to protect the citizen
In such use and enjoyment or its unjus tifable
diminution by the government itself Is a be-
trayal of the peoples trust
THE TARIFF
We have however, undertaken to h,1jld a
great nation upon plan especially own.
To maintain it and to furnish through its agen-
cy the means for the accomplishment Of nation
al objects, the American people willing
through federal taxation to surrender part of
their earnings and income. Tariff legislation
presents familiar form of federal taxation.
Such legislation results assuredly in a tax upon
the daily life OF our people the tribute paid
directly into the hand OF the tax gatherer. We
feel the burden of these tariff taxes too palpa-
bly, to be persuaded by any sophistry that they
do not exist, or are paid by foreigners
Such taxes representing diminution of the
property rights of the people, are only justifi-
able when laid and collected for the purpose of
maintaining our government and furnishing the
means for the accomplishment OF its legitimate
purposes and functions. This Is taxation I'M
der the operation of a tariff tor revenue 1t ac-
cords with the professions of American free in
stitutions and its justice and honesty 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 expendi
lures and their limitation to legitimate public
uses, fnasmuch as it exhibits as absolute ex-
tortion and exaction by way of taxation from
the substance OF the people beyond the necessi-
ties of careful and proper administration of
government
Opposed to this theory the dogma is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation Is justif1a-
BILE for the express purpose and intent OF there
by promoting especial interests and enter
prises. Such proposition is clearly
troy Nj of Nd
directly encourages the disturbance by selfish
ness and greed of patriotic sentiment that it's
statement would rudely shock our people if
they had not already been insidiously allured
from the safe landmarks of principle. Never
have honest desire for national growth, patri-
otic devotion to country and sincere regard
for those who toll been so betrayed to the
support OF a pernicious doctrine In its
behalf, the plea that infant industries
should be foStered, did service until diScred-
tied by our stalwart growth: then followed the
eXigencieS of terrible war, which made
people needless OF the opportunities for Interior
schemes afforded by their willing and patriotic
payment of unprecedented tribute; and now,
after long period of peace, when over
burdened countrymen ask for relief and
reStorat ion to q fuller enjoyment of their in
comes and earnings, they are met by the claim
that tariff taxation is an American system, the
continuance of which is necessary in order that
high wages may be paid to our working men
and home market be provided for our farm
products
These pretenses should no longer deceive.
The truth is that such system is directly
antagonized by every sentiment OF justice and
fairness OF which Americans are pre- eminently
proud 1t is also true that while our working
men and farmers can the least of all our people
defend themselves against the harder home life
which such tariff taxation DEGREES, the work
ingman suffering from the importation and en-
ployrnent of pauper labor instigated by his pro-
fessed friends and seeking security for his in
terests in organized cooperation still waits for
5 division of the advantages secured to his en-
ployer under cover OF a generous solicitude for
his wages, while the farmer is learning that the
prices of his products fixed in foreign mar
kets, where he suffers from competition in
v1ted and built up by the system he is asked to
support.
The struggle for unearned advantage at the
doors of the government tramples on the rights
Of those who patiently rely upon assurances Of
American equality Every governmental con-
cession to clamorous favorites invites corrup-
ton in political affairs by encouraging the
penditure of money to debauch suffrage in sup
port OF policy directly favorable to private
and selfish gain. This in the end must strangle
patriotism and weaken popular confidence in
the rectitude Of republican institutions.
Though the subject of tariff legislation in
wolves a question of markets it also involves a
question of morals. We cannot with impunity
permit njus tice to faint the spirit of right and
equity, which is the life of our republic. and we
shall fail to reach national deS tiny If greed
and selhshness lead the way.
Recognizing these truths the national democ
racy 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 our countrymen a
closer community of interests cemented by
patriotism and ma tional pride and to point out
fair field where prosperous and diversified
American enterprise may grow and thrive in
the wholesome atmosphere of American indus
try ingenuity and intelligence
Tariff reform is still purpose. Though
we oppose the theory that tariff laws may be
passed having for their object the granting of
discriminating and unfair government aid to
private ventures, we wage no exterminating
war against any American interests. We be-
Eeve a readjustment can be accomplished in ac-
cordance with the principles we profess without
disaster demolition. We believe that the
advantages Of freer raw material should be &C
corded to our manufacturers and we contem-
plate a fair and careful distribution OF neces-
sary tariff burdens rather than the precipita-
ton of free trade
We anticipate with calmness the misrepre-
sentation of motives and purposes, instf-
gated by q selfishness which seeks 10 hold in
unrelenting grasp its unfair advantage under
present tariff laws We will rely upon the in
telligence OF our fellow countrymen to reject
the charge that party comprising majority
OF our people is planning the destruction or in
Jury of American interests and We know they