Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-09-30
CLEVELAND ACCEPTS.
His Ideas on Tariff, immigration
and the Force Bill.
Needs Of the Nation for Continued
Prosperity.

Prosperity
The following is theletter of Grover Cleve-
land accepting the nomination as the Demo-
cratic candidate for President OF the United
States:
80 Hon. William L. Wilson and Others
Committee ec,-Gentlemen: In responing
to your formal notification of my nomna-
ton to the Presidency by the national De-
mocracy, hope l may bepermitted TO say at
the outset, that continued reflection and OBJ
servation have confirmed me in my adher-
ance TO the opinions, which | have hereto
fore plainly and publicly declared, touching
the questions involved in the canvass.
This time, above all others, when these
questions should be considered in the light
afforded by a sober apprehension Of the prin-
ciples upon which our government is based
and a clear understanding of the relation 1t
bears to the people for whose benefit it was
created.
1--WE shall thus be supplied with test by
which the value of am proposition relating
to the maintenance and administration of
our government can be ascertained, and by
which the justice aadhonesty Of every polit-
ical question can be judged. If doctrines OF
theories are preseuted which 90 not satisfy
thi, test, loyal Amer icanism mustp pronounce
them false and mischievous.
THE protection of the people in the exclu.
sive use and enjoyment OF theirproperty and
earnings. concededly constitutes the especial
purpose and mission of oar free government.
This design il 50 interviewer with the struc-
ture of our plan OF rule, that failure to pro-
ttct the citizen in such use and enjoyment,
or their upjustifiable diminution by the gov
eminent Itself, IS betrayal OF the people
trust
I'VE have. however, undertaken to build
a great nation upon plan especially our
own. To maintain it an / TO furnish through
its agency the means for the Accomplishment
OF national Objects the American people are
willing through federal taxation 10 sur
render par5 Of their earnings and in
come.
TARIFF LEGISLATION
"Tariff legislation presents a familiar form
OF federal taxation. Such legislation results
(as surely in a tax upon the daily life of our
people as the tribute paid directly into the
hand OF the tax-gathercr. We feel the bur
den OF these tariff taxes too palpably TO be
persuaded by any sophistry that they do not
exist OF are paid by foreigners.
"Such taxes. representing diminution OF
the property rights Of the people, are only
UNSUITABLE whea 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 under the operation OF
tariff for revenue 1t accords with the pro-
LESSONS Of American free Institutions andits
Justice and honesty answer she test supplied
by correct appreciation of the principles
upon which these institutions rest
This theory of tariff egislatioRmanifestly
enio rs strict economy in public expenditures
and their limitation TO legitimate public
uses inasmuch as il exhibits as absolute tx
tortion any exaction, by way OF taxation.
from the substance of the people, beyond the
necessities of a careful and proper admins
tration of government.
Opposed TO this theory the dogma is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is justi-
fable for tho express purpose and intent OF
thereby promoting especial interests and en-
terprscs Such proposition is so clearly
contrary to the spirit OF our constitution and
so directly encourages the distur bance by
selhshness and greed of patriotic sentiment
that its statement would Tudely shock our
people, if they had not already been lnsidl-
ously allured from the safe landmarks OF
principles. Never have honest desire for
national growth, patriotic devotion to coun-
try. and sincere regard for those who toll
been so betrayed TO the support of per-
nicious doctrine.
SIN its behalf. the plea that our infant in
dustries should be fostered, did service until
tliscredited by our stalwart growth, then fol
lowed the exigencies Of terrible war, which
made our people needless of the opportuni-
ties for Interior schemes afforded by their
willing and patriotic payment OF unprece
dented tribute, and now, after long period
of peace, when our overburdened country
men ask for relief and q restoi alton TO a
fuller enjoyment Of their incomes and earn
ings, they ere met by the claim that tariff
taxation for the sake Of protection is an
American system, the continuance of which
Unnecessary in order that high wages may be
paid to our xorkingmen and a homo maTl'es
beproyided for our farm products.
These pretenses should no longer deceive.
The truth is that such system is directly
antaQonized by every sentiment Of justice
and fairness. Of which Americans are pre-
eminenfly proud. Il Is also true that while
our workingmen and farmers can. the least
81 ali our people, deftn themselves against
the harder-hom life which such tariff taxa
fion DEGREES the workingman suffering from
the Importation and employment of pauper,
instigated by his professed friends and seek
ing security for his interest in organized CO.
operation, still waits for the division Of the
advantages secured 20 his employer under
cover,of a generous solicitude for his wage.
while the farmer Is learning that the prices
CT his products is fixed in foreign markets,
where he suffers from competition invited
and built up by the system he is asked to
support.
jgrbe struggle for ilnearned advantages at
the doors of the government tramples on the
rights ofshose who patiently rely upon as
surances of American equality. Every gov
ernmenta1 concession to clamorous favorites
invites corruption in political affairs by en-