The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-09-27
CLEVELAND'S LETTER.
Democracy's Leader on the Is
sues Of the Campaign.
TARIFF REFORM THE ISSUE
The People Not Frightened by the
Free Trade Speoter.
DANGERS OF SELFISH LEGISLATION

The Republican Policy CT Encour.
aging Individual Enterprises at
the Expense of Many Has a Ten.
dcncy to Weaken Popular Conf.
dence in Republican Institutions.
The Force Bill Denounced, Civil
Service Reform and Liberal PEN
sions Urged.
Grover Cleveland's letter accepting the
Democratic nomination for president of
the United States was given out for
publication last night 1t is as follows:
To Hon. William L. Wilson and others,
Committee, etc.
GENTLEMEN-In responding to your
formal notification of my nomination to
the presidency by the national Democ-
racy, 10. 9 I may be permitted to say
at the outset that continued reflection
and observation have confirmed me in
my adherence to the opinions which
have heretofore plainly and publicly de-
clared touching the questions involved
In the canvass.
This is a time, above all others, when
these questions should be considered in
the light afforded by a sober apprecia-
tion OF the principles upon which our
government Is based, and clear under
standing 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 re-
lating to the maintenance and admin
istration of our government can be ascer-
tanned, and by which the justice and
honesty of every political question can
be judged. If doctrines or theories are
presented which do not satisfy this test
loyal Americanism must pronounce
them false and mischievous
The protection of the people in the ex-
elusive use and enjoyment of their prop
erty and earnings constitutes the es-
pecial purpose and mission of our free
government This design is SO inter
woven with the structure of our plan Of
rule that failure to protect the citizen in
Buch use and enjoyment, or their unjus-
tifable diminution by the government
Itself, is a betrayal of the peoples trust.
Wehave, however, undertaken to build
agreat nation upon plan especially our
own. To maintain it and to furnish
through its agency the means for the ac-
complishment Of national objects the
American people are willing, through
federal taxation, to surrender a part of
their earnings and income.
The Tariff a Burden.
Tariff legislation presents familiar
form of federal taxation. Such legisla-
tiop results rs surely in tax upon the
daily life Of our people as the tribute
paid directly into the hands of the tax
gatherer We 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, representing a diminution
of the property rights of the people, are
only justifable when laid and collected
for the purpose of maintaining our gov
ernment, and furnishing the means for
the accomplishment of its legitimate
purposes and functions. This is taxa
tion under the operation of a tariff for
revenue. 1t accords with the professions
of American FREQ institutions, and its
justice and honesty answer the test sup
piled by correct appreciation Of the
principles upon which these institutions
rest.
This theory of tariff legislation mani
festly enjoins strict economy in public
expenditures and their limitation to
legitimate public uses, inasmuch as it
exhibits as absolute extortion any exac-
ton, by way of taxation, from the sub
stance of the people, beyond the necessi-
ties of a careful and proper adininistra-
lOu Vi BoNeTllIiellb.
A Pernioious Doctrine.
Opposed to this theory the dogma is
now boldly presented that tariff
taxation is justifuble for the ex-
press purpose and intent of thereby
promoting especial interests and en-
terprises Such a proposition is so
clearly contrary to the spirit of our con-
stitution and so clearly encourages the
disturbance by seltishness and greed of
patriotic sentiment that its statement
would rudely shock our people, if they
had not already been insidiously allur ed
from the safe landmarks of principle.
Never have honest desire for national
growth, patriotic devotion to country
and sincere regard for those who toll,
been SO betrayed to the support of per-
nicious doctrine. In its behalf, the plea
that our infant industries should be fos-
tered did service until discre dited by
pur stalwart growth Then followed
the exigencies of Il terrible war, which
made our people needless of the oppor-
tunities for Interior schemes afforded by
their willing and patriotic payment of
unprecedented tribute; and now, after O
long period Of peace, when our overbur-
dened countrymen ask for relief and a
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 to our workingmen
and home market be provided for our
farm products.
These pretenses should no longer de-
csive. The truth is that such system
Is directly antagonized by every senti-
msnt of Justice and fairness of which
Americans are prominently proud. II
Is also true that while our workingmen
and farmers can the least OF all our peo.
pie defend themselves against the harder
home life which ouch tariff taxation de-
crees, the workingmen, suffering from
the importation and employment oi
pauper labor instigated by his pro
fessed friends, and seeking security fol
his interests in organized cooperation
still waits for division of the advan
tages secured to his employer undei
cover of q generous: solicitude for hii
wages, while the farmer is learning that
the prices of his products are fixed il
foreign markets, where he suffers from
. competition invited and built up b,
the system he is asked to support.
Dangers OF Selfish Legislation.
The struggle for unearned advantag
at the doors OF the government trample
on tho rights OF those who patiently rel,
upon assurances of American equality
Every governmental concession to clam
orous fayorites invites corruption il
political affairs by encouraging the ex
pendHure Of money to debauch suffrag,
in support Of policy directly favorable
to private and selfish gain. This in tn
end must strangle patriotism and weaker
popular confidence in the rectitude o
republican institutions.
Though the subject of tariff legisla
tion involves question of markets, i
also involves question of morals. w
cannot with impunity permit iniustic
20 taint the spirit of right and equt,
which is tho fife Of our republic, and w
ahall fail TO ranch nnr national dastin,