Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-10-06
GROVER ACCEPTS.
The Democratic Candidate for Presi.
dent, Makes Public His Letter of
Acceptance.
He Touches Lightly on the Leading
Questions of the Campaign and
Outlines His Policy.

AVA puoiiCs1lioA lo-udy.
To Hon. William L. Wilson and Others, Com
mlttee Etc.-Gentemen: In responding to your
formal notification Of my nomination to the
presidency by the national Democracy l hope
may be permitted to say at the outset that con-
tinued reflection and observation have confirmed
me i'll my adherence to the opiuiouS which l
have heretofore plainly and publicly declared,
touching the questions involved in the CANVASS.
This is time above all Others When these Ques.
tons should be considered in the light al.o rled
by sober apprehension OF the principles upon
which our government is based, and Il clear UNI
Outstanding OF the relation it bears to the peo-
pie for whose benefit il was created. We shall
thus be- supplied with test by which the
value OF any proposition relating to the
maintenance and administration of our govern
ment can be ascertaned, and by which the
austice and honesty OF every political question
sented which do not satisfy this test loyal
Americans must pronounce them alse and mis-
chievous. The prot ecton of the people in the
exclusive use and enjoyment of their property
Jnd earnings concededy constitutes the especia
purpose and mission OF our free goverume mt.
This design Is so interviewer with the structure
OF our plan OF rule that failure to protect the
citizen III such use and enjoyment or their UNI
Justiiable dlminution by tile government itself
Is a BETRAYAL OF THE PEOPLES TRUST.
We have, however, undertaken to build
great nation upon a plan especially our own.
To maintain it and furnish through its agency
the means Tor the accomplishment OF national
objects the American people are willing through
federal taxation, to surrender part OF their
earnings and income. Tarflegislation presents
a familiar form Of federal taxation. Such legiS-
islation results as surely III tax upon the
daily life OF our people as the tribute paid di-
rectly into the hands OF the tax gntherer. 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 just ia Bile when laij and
collected for the purpose OF naii aiming our gov
eminent aud furnishing the means Tor e &c.
compllshment OF it's legitimate purposes and
functions: This i taxation under the operation
of tariff for revenue. 1t accords
institutions, and its Justice and honesty answer
the test suppl by IL correct appreciation OF
the principles upon which these institutions
rest. This theory of tariff legislation maniestly
enjoins strict economy i'll public expenditures
and their limitation to legitimate pubic uses,
inasmuch as it exhibits as absolute eextortion
substance Of the people, beyond the necessities
OF careful and proper administration of
dogma is now boldly presented, that tariff taxa
ton is justifiable for the express purpose and
intent OF thereby promoting especia interests
and enterprises. Such proposition Is SO
clearly contrary to the spirit OF constitu-
ton and so directly encourages the disturbance
by selfishness and greed OF patriotic sentiment.
people. if they mad not already been insiuiousIy
allured from the landmarks OIL principle Never
have honest desire for national growth. ratri-
otto devotion to country. and Siucere regard for
those who toll been SO BETRAYED to the support
OF o pernicious doctrine. In its behalf. the plea
that
OUR INFANT INDUSTRIES SHOULD BE FosrERED,
did service until dlscreditrd by our stalwart
growth; then followed the ex gencies OF d terri
BILE war which made our people Needless of the
opportunities for Interior schemes afforded by
their willing and patriotic payment of uDprece
deuted tribute; and now. after a long period OF
peace when our overburdened countrymen ask
for relief and restoration to Il uerenjoyment
OF their incomes and earnings. they are met by
the claim that tariff taxation Tor the sake OF
protection is all American system. the contnu-
ance OF which is necessary in order that high
wages may be paid to workinglnen and home
m r mr. nfa
These pretelces should no longer dec-iye. The
truth is that such system is directly antag
onized by every sentiment OF justice and fair
ness OF which Americans are pre-eminently
proud. 1t is also true that while our working
men and farmers cali. the least OF all our people,
defend themselves AGAINST the harder home life
which such tariff taxation DEGREES, the work
ingman suffering from the importa-
on nd bv E o @ Dor
security for his interests i'll organized CO. opera
ton. still waits Tor a division OF the advantages
secured TO his employer under cover OF gener-
GUS solictude for his wages. while the farmer is
learning that the prices OF his products fixed
i'll foreign markets. where he suffers from
competition invited and built up by the system
he liz asked to support.
The struggle for unearned advantage Mt the
doors of the government tramples OH the rights
or those who patiently rely upon assurances of
American equality. Every governmental con-
cession to ciamorous iavorites invites corrup-
ton i'll political affairs by encouraging the ex-
penditure OF money to debauch suffrage i'll sup
port OF a policy directly favorable to private
and selfish gain. This in the eud must strange
patriotism and weaken popular confidence in
the rectiuude OF republican institutions. Though
the subject OF tariff legislation involves ques-
tion OF markets, it also Involves a question OF
morals. We cannot with impunity permit in
justice to faint the spirit OF right and equity
which is the lie Of republic: and we shall fail
to reach our national destiny If greed and
sefshneys lead the way.
Recognizing these truths. the national Democ-
racy will seek by the application OF just and
sound principles to ensure to our people the
BLESSINGS due them from the government they
support. to promote among on: countrymen
closer community OF interests, cemented by
patriotism and national pride. and to point out
fair field. where prosperous and diversified
American enterprise may grow and thrive i'll the
ingenuity and intelligence Tariff reform is still
that tariff laws may be passed having for
and unfair governmental aid to private
ventures. we wage no ex'erminatimg
war AGAINST, any American interests; We
accordance with the principles we profess. with
out disaster demolition. We believe that
advantages Of freer raw materials should be &C.
corded to our manufacturers, and we contem-
plate II fair and careful distribution of necessary
tariff burdens rather than the precipitation OF
free trade. We anticipate with calmness the
Misrepresentation OF our motives ana purposes
instigated by selfshess which seeks TO hold
in nnreentg grasp its unfair 1 advantage under
telligence OF our fellow countrymen to reject the
charge that party comprising u majority OF
our people Is planning Cue uebtruCtlOu OF Injury
of American interests and we know they can
not be frightened by the specter OF impossible
free trade.
The administration and management OF our
government depend upon popular will Federal
power Is the instrument OF that Wi'l-not its
master. Therefore the attempt OF the oppo
nents OF Dem" cracy to interfere with and con.
troll the suffrage of the states through federal
agencies develops a design, which no expana.
ton can mitigate to reverse the fundamental
and safe relations between the people and their
government. Such al attempt cannot fail to be
regarded by thoughtful men as proof OF a bold
determination to secure the ascendancy OF a
discredited party in reckless disregard OF q free
expression OF the popular will. To resist such
q scheme is IN impulse OF Democracy. At all
times and in all places we trust he people. AS
against disposition to force the way to federal
power, we present to them our claim to
their confidence and support, a steady cham
pionship OF their rights
II The people are entitled to sound and honest
money, abundantly sufficient in volume to sup
ply their business needs. But whatever may be
The form Of the peoples currency. national Or
be 30 regulated and guarded by governmental
action. or by wise and careful laws, that no one
can be deluded as to the certainty and stability
otits value. Every dollar put into the hands