The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-09-27

New YORK. Sept. se,-lSpecial Fol
lowing Is the letter Of Grover Cleveland
accepting the nomination as the Demo-
cratic candidate for President OF the
United States:
ITO Hon. William l.. Wilson and Others
Committee, etc.
GENTLEMEN: In responding to your
formal notification of my nomination to
the Presidency by the National Demos
racy hope may be permitted to saw
ut the outset that continued reflection
and observation have confirmed in me
my adherence to the opinions, which I
have heretofore plainly aud publicly de-
ciared, touching questions involved in
the canvass.
when these questions should be con-
sidered In tho light afforded by sober
apprehension Of principles upon which
our government is based, and 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 anv
proposition relating to the maintenance
and standardization of our government
can be ascertained, and by which tho
justice and honesty of every political
question can be judged. If doctrines or
theories are presented which, do not
satisfy this taste, loyal Amerioanism
must pronounce them false and mtg
chievous. Protection OF the people In
tho exclusive use and enjoyment Of
their property and earnings concededly
constitutes the especial purpose and
mission Of our free government.
'sThts design is so interviewer with
the structure of our plan of rule, that
failure to protect citizens in such use
and enjoyment or their uniustifiable
diminution by the government itself is
betrayal OF the peoples trust. We
have, however, undertaken to build a
great nation upon plan especially our
own. To maintain it, and to furnish
through it's agency means for the accom-.
plishment of national objects, the Amer
lean people are willing, through federal
taxation, to surrender part of their
earnings and income. Tariff legisla-
tson presents familiar form OF federal
taxation, Such legislation results as
surely IN tax upon the daily life of our
people as tribute paid directly in.o
the hands of the tax gatherer.
I'VE feel the burden of these tariff
taxes too palpably to be persuaded by
any sophistry that they do not exist, or
are paid by foreigners. Such taxes, rep
resenting diminution OF property and
rights of the people. are only justifiabIe
when laid and collected for the purpose
OF maintaining our Government and fur
nishing means for the accomplishments
OF its legitimate purposes and functions.
This is taxation under the operation
Of tariff for revenue. 1t aecords with
the professions of American free insti-
tntions and Its justice and honesty an
swer the test supplied by the correct
appreciation Of the principles upon
which these institutions rest.
This theory OF tariff legislation
manifestly enjoins strict economy in
public expenditures and their Limitation
to legitimate public usos, inasmuch as
1t exhibits as absolute extortion apy
exaction, by way of taxation, from the
substance OF the people beyond the
necessities Of a careful and proper adj
ministration of the government. OPP
posed to this theory the dogma Is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is
justihable for the express purpose and
intent OF thereby promoting especial
interests and enterprises. Such prop
osition Ia so clearly contrary to the
spirit OF our constitution and 30 directly
encourages disturbance by selfshness
and greed Of patriotic sentiment, that
Its statement would rudely shock our
people IL they had not already been in
sidiously allured from the safe land
marks Of principle.
"Never have honest desire for ia.
tional growth, patriotic devotion to the
country and sincere regard for those
who toll been so betrayed by the sup
port OF q pernicious doctrine. In its be-
half the plea that our infant industries
should be tostered did service until dis
credited by our stalwart growth; then
followed the exigenoies of terrible war
which made our people needless of OPP
oortunities for Interior schemes afforded
by their willing and patriotic payment
OF unprecedented tribute; and now,
after long period of peace, when our
overhurdened countrymen ask for relief
and restor, tion to fuller enjoyment Of
their incomes and earnings, they are
met by the claim that tariff taxation for
the sake OF protection Is an American
system, the continuance Of which Is
necessary IN order that high wages may
be paid 20 our workingmen and g home
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