Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-10-04

SUPERINTENDENT GobdG04A0Ab VA
The Position of the Party and
It's charlottesville Yerbosity
Nor Darkening OF Meaning-He
Stands Firmly Upon the Plat
form and Defends 1t.
The following is the letter of acceptance of
Hon. Grover Cleveland, made public to-
night.
10 Hon. ". L. wilson and others, Commit
tee, etc.:
GrNTLEdEN:-In responding to your
formal notifcation of my nomination to the
Presidency by the National Democracy, /
set that continued reflection and observe
tien have confirmed me in my adherence to
the opinions which have heretofore plain
ly and publicly declared touching the ues-
lions involved in the canvass. :.
This is a time, above all others, when
these questions should be considered in the
light afforded by sober apprehension OF
the principles upon which our government
iE.base6, and q clear understanding OF The
relation IL bears to the people for whose
bes1ssst il was created. We shall thus be
Btsoslied with test by which the value OF
RRaSroposition relating to the maintenance
INSTRUMENTATION OF our government can
ba;ascertnined and by which the justice
aRd honesty OF every political question can
BE Aldged. If doctrines or theories are pre-
sehted which do not eatistify this test loyal
AmericeniSm must pronounce Them 1aISe
Rnd yuisohiev0us.
TIE protection of the people in the ex
elusive use and enjoyment of their property
and earnings, concededly constitutes the
especial purpose and mission OF our Tree
gCSvernnent This design is 80 interviewer
with the structure of our plan OF rule that
ft,lf1re to protect the citizen In such use
and enjoyment, or their uniustihable dimi-
nRfson by the government itself is a oetray-
al Csf tho Deople's trust. We have, however,
undertaken to build a great nation upon a
pltia especially our own. To maintain it
and to furnish through Its agency the means
Ter the accomplishment of national objects,
the ASmericen people are willing through
fetasral taxation To surrender part OF their
eerningS and income.
TARIFP LEGISLATION PRESENTS
familiar form of federal taxation. Such
legislation results as surely in a tax upon
the daily life of our people as the tribute
paiti directly into the hand of the tax gath
erer We feel the burden of these tariff
taxes too palpably to be persuaded by any
s5phistry that they do not exist, or are paid
by foreigners. Such taxes, representing
u afninution of the property rights of the
pespie, are only iustitabie when laid and
collected for the purpose of maintain
ing our Government and furnish.
ING the means for the accomplish
nleat of its legitimate purposes
ard Functions. This is taxation under the
oaAration of q tariff for revenae. 1t accords
With fheyprofeasicns of American free in
situations and its Justice and honesty an
Bver the test supplied by correct nppre-
citation of the principles upon Which these
Ipstitutions reat. This theory OF tariff leg
izlation manifestly epjoins strict economy
in public expenditures and their limitation
to fagi Ultimate public uses iuasmuch as it
eEhisitS as absolute extortlon, any eXaction
by Fsy OF taxation from the substance OF
tl1na aft of a
careful andproper administration Of gov
eminent.
Opposed to this theory. the dogma is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is JUS
tifiable for the express purpose and intent
otthereby promoting especial interests and
enterprises. Such a proposition is so clear
ly contrary to the spirit Of our constitution
and so directly encourages the disturbance,
by seltlshness aud greed, OF patriotic senti-
ment that its statement would rudely shock
our people If they had not already been in
siduously allured from the
SAFE LANDMARKS OF PRINCIPLE.
Never have honest desire for national
growth, patriotic devotion to the country
aad sincere regard for those who toll, been
so betrayed to the support OF a pernicious
infant industries should be fostered did
BerVico until discredited by our StalWart
growth; then followed the exigcnces of a
Tsrrible war, which made our peo-
for Interior schemes Afforded by their
willing and patriotic payment of unprece-
dented tribute; and now, after long
period of peace, when our oVerburdened
countrymen ask for relief and restoration
TO Il full enjoyment OF their incomes and
earnings, they are met by the claim that
tariR taxation for the sake of protection is
ar American system, tho continuance of
which is necessary in order that high
wages may be paid to our working men
and homo market be provided for our
farm products
These preteuses should no longer de-
Ca{ye. The truth is that suoh q system is
directly anta3onized by every sentiment of
ere pre-eminently proud. 1t is also true
that while our workingmen and farmers
carsthe least OF all our people, defend them
Betves against the harder home life which
such tariff taxation DEGREES, the working
man suffering from the importation and
employment OF pauper labor instigGted by
his professed friends and seeking security
Tor his interests in organized cooperation,
Still waits for q division Of the advantages
secured TO his employer under cover of a
generous solicitude for his wages, while
THE FARAIER Is LEARNING
TINT the prices of his products are fixed in
Foreign markets, where he suffers from a
composition invited and built up by the
system he is asked TO support.
Tho struggle for unearned advantage at
upon tho rights of those who patiently rely
upon assurances of American equality
Every governmental concession to clauor-
Gus faYorites Invites corruption in political
affairs by encouraging the expenditure of
LHgjiey 10 debnuch suffrage in support of a
po3icy directly favorable to private and
EeIhsh gain. This in the end must stranQIe
patriotism and weaken popular confidence
In therectitudo of Republican institutions.
Though the subject of tariff legislation
Involves question OF markets, it also in
wolves question OF morals. We cannot
with impuNity permit injury to faint tho
spirit OF right and equity which is the life
Of our republic and we shall fail to reach
our national destiny if greed and selfish
ness lead the WGy.
Recognizing these truths, the national
Democracy VIII seek by the application of
Just and sound principles to equaIize to our
pecple the blessings due them from the
government they support, to promote
nmoug our countrymen closer community
of interests cemented by patriotism and
national pride, and to point out a fair
field, where prosperous American enter
prise may grow and thrive in the whole
some atmosphere of American Industry.
rFg,~raY two 49, al T