The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-10-31
Adlai Has Finally Accepted the Demo-
cratic Vice-Presidential Nomination.
He Indorses All that Big Man. Afraid of the
Issues Said, and. Like Grover. Wholly Ig-
nores the Wildcat Money Plank.
Half the Letter Devoted to a Parade of
the Bourbon Force Bill Spook.
Like Others of His Party Stevenson Fears
Free Elections in the South Would Break
Up Its Solid Democratic Vote.
sTEvENsoN.s LETTER.

sTEvENsoN's LETTER.
Adlai Indorses the Views of Grover and Tries
to Make the Force Bill an Issue.
CHARLESTON, w. Va, Oct 30-Adlsi E.
Stevenson. Democratic candidate for the
vice. presidency. has sent the following let
ter of acceptance to the president of the ma
tional Democratic convention:
To the Hon. William L. Wilson. Chairman:
When. in the presence of 10000 of my coun-
trymen, accepted the honor conferred upon me
by the convention over which you presided
promised to Indicate by letter in more formal
manner my acceptance of the nomination ten
dered me by the assembled representatives OF
the Democratic party OF the United States;
Since that time have been engaged
people or many states OF the Union of
the issues emphasized by the convention and
represented By our candidate. Grover Cleveland
Opportunity has thus been denied me to write
with the care would like the more formal an
swer promised to your committee. The full dis
cussion Of public questions commonly expected
from candidate for Vice president has been
rendered less Imperative by the complete presen-
tation Of the Democratic creed by the gentleman
with whom have the honor to be associated as
q candidate on the national ticket. His treat
ment of the issues now before the country for
discussion and settlement was 20 complete that
can do little more than indorse his position and
give it the emphasis OF nv unqualified approval.
The greatest power conferred upon human
government Ia that of ia xation. All the great
81 hY % Il ine past ior proanep h9eI s
power by right to tax. right which should al
ways be limited by the necessities of the govern
ment and TO benefits which may be shared by
all. Whenever this power is used to draw tribute
from the many for the benefit of the few or
when part of the people are oppressed In order
that the remainder may prosper undniy, eauali-
dent, which Is used to excuse new exactions, and
there arise artificial distinctions which the bef.
Charles come to look upon In due timo vested
rights, sacred to themselves
Ii is plain that our present inequitable system
OF tariff taxation has promoted the growth of
such conditions In our land. favored though It
has been by an industrious and enterprising peO-
pie. friendly climate productive soil and the
highest development of political liberty. IL the
benefciaries OF this system shall be able TO add
new tenure OF power to those they have
already enjoyed, the development of these
unfavOrabie conditions must continue until the
power to tax Will be lodged In those who
are Wiling and able to pay for the perpetuation
of privileges originally conferred by conii6ing
people for the preservation inviOlate OF their
excuse for maintaining this war tariff in times
of peace and more than quarter OF q century
after armed conflict has ceased. The platform
the reform OF this system and the adoption in Its
place Of one which will insure equality to all peO
pie. am in full and hearty accord with these
The convention also declared its position on
the currency question IN no unmeaning words
when lt said In Its platform:
1--WE hold TO the use OF both gold and silver as
the standard money of the country, and to the
coinage of both gold and silver. without dis
eliminating against either metal, or charge for
mlntage, but the dollar unit or coinage OF both
metals must be OF equal intrinsic and exchange
able value, or be adjusted through international
agreement or by such safeguards OF legislation
the equal power of every dollar at all times In the
markets and In payment Of debts. and We de-
mand that all paper currency shall be kept at
rvutfl hi iv, ar,otar r<.tr,
To this plain and unequivocal declaration In
favor OF sound, honest money, subscribe with
out reservation or qualification. A safe circu-
lating medium Is absolutely essential TO the pro-
lection OF the business interests OF our country,
while to the wage-earner, or the farmer 1t Is all
Important that every dollar. whatever Its FORM
that finds Its way into his pocket, shall be OF
equal unQuestit ned and universally exchanged
BILE value and OF equal purchasing power.
Another issue of great moment In the pending
contest is the force bill. the magnitude OF which
cannot be overstated. 1t may mean the con-
troll of the election of Representatives in Con-
crcss by the bayonet. The Republican party. by
its acts in the Fifty-first Congress- aud by Its
platform in It's late national convention, stands
pledged to the passage of this BILL That Ii will
doubt. To all our people who desire the peace
and prosperity OF our common country this ques'
ton is all important.
Since my nomination have been in eight Of
the Southern and Southwestern States Of the
Union. and have talked with men of all classes
and conditions there. / found general and
lieved would result from the passage OF the
Lodge bill, or similar threatened legislation.
found that the Industries established by North
ern capital during Mr.. Cleveland's administra-
tion were in a languishing condition, that the
Immigration of labor ana the investment
of capital, invited To those States 10y
their thon peaceful condition, had In large
measure ceased. The ensctment of the force hill
tntOa law, while ii would threaten the liberties
OF the entire people. would undoubtedly retari
the material growth OF the states at which 1t is
especially aimed, would incite in many CON-
munities race troubles and invite retaliatory
legislation, which would disturb property values
and discontinue and destroy the security of
Northern investments. And its reflex action
upon the Northern States would result in a con-
sequent loss of commercial and trade relations
with the vast territory now becoming tributary
to their wealth and prosperity.
say nothing now OF the inherent vice OF the
un-A American and revolutionary epirt involved
In the Lodge bill, which was pronounced by a
Republican Senator 'the most infamous that
ever crossed the threshold of the Senate" I ap
peal 10 the instinct of seif-interest and to the
sense OF common justice in the American people
The era of good feeling and renewed commercial
relations. commencing with the election of Mr.
Cleveland in 1884, should not be interrupted by
to destroy popular representation and
the purity of local self-government
which furnishes an instrument to discredteo
federal power to perpetuate itself, which seeks
TO keep alive sectional tealousies and strife
which threatens important and material inter
ests. and which offers excuse or palliation FOL
its existence, except the perpetuation in power
Of a political party which has lost public con
fdence.
l accept the nomination rendered me, and
should the action of the convention meet the ap
proval of my countrymen, will, to the best of my
ability. discharge with fidelity the duties of the
important trust coniided in me Very respect
fully. A. E. STEVENSON.