The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-10-06
THE BATTLE CRY.
CLEAR AND INCISlVE LETTER FROM
GROVER CLEVELAND.

GROVER CLEVELAND.
The Democratic Nominee Accepts tho
Honor, and with e.Isster Hand Points
Out tho, Defects In Our Govsrnment.
May IIe Act an Well as He Now yyritos.
New YORK, Sept. 29.-The following
is Grover Cleveland's letter Of accept
ance:
TO Hon. VIM. l.. Wilson and others,
Committee, ETC.:
GENTLENIEN:--In responding to your
formal notification or my nomination
to the Presidency by the National De-
mocracy, hope l may be permitted TO-
say, at the outset, that continued re-
Election and observation have confirmed
me in my adherence to the opinions to
which l have heretofore plainly and
publicly declared, touching the ques
tiOnS involved in the canvass.
This is q time, above all others, when
these questions should be considered IN
| the light afforded by a sober apprehen-
sion of the principles upon which our
government is based and IA clear under
| standing of the relation it bears to the
people for whose benefit it w3s created.
| We shall thus be supplied with test
| by which the value of any proposition
| hSi"olbS w Oilo anu do-
| minlstratiOn of our government can be
ascertained by which the justice and
honesty OF every political question be
judged. If doctrines or theories are
presented which do not satisfy this
test, loyal Americanism must pro-
nounce them false and mischievouS.
TIE PROPER KIND Or PROTECTION.
The protection of the people in the
exclusive use and enjoyment of their
property and earnings cuncededly con.
stitutes the especial purpose and mis-
sion OF our free government. This de.
sign is SO interviewer with the Struct-
ure of our plan OF rule, that failure to
protect the citizen in such use and ell
Joyment, or their unjustiliable diminu-
tlon by the Government itself, is a be-
trayal Of the peoples trust.
we have, however, undertaken to
/ build great nation upon Il plan es-
, pecially our own, To maintain it and
, furnish through its agency the means
FOR the accomplishment Of national OBJ
Jects, the American people are willing,
through federal taxation to surrender
part of their earnings and income.
Tariff legislation presents a familiar
form of federal taxation. Such legisla-
ton results as surely in a tax upon the
daily life Of our people as the tribute
paid directly into the hands of the tax
gatherer. We feel the burden or these
tariff taxes too palpably to be persuad-
ed by any sophistry that they do not
exist or are paid by foreigners.
TARIFF FOR REVENUE ONLY.
Such taxes, representing diminu
tion of the property rights OF the peo
pie, are only juStitiable when laid and
collected for the purpose of maintain
ing our government and furnishing the
means for the accomplishment Of its
legitimate purpose and functions.
This is taxation under the operation
of a tariff for revenue. 1t accords with
the professions of American free in
stitutions, and its JUSTICE ald honesty
answer the test supplied by correct
appreciation of the principles upon
which these institutions rest.
This theory of tariff legislation man
ifestly enjoihs strict economy in public
expeliditl res and their limitation to
legitimate public uses, inasmuch as
it exhibits rs absolute extortion any
exactiou by way or taxation from the
substance of the people beyond the
necessarieS of a careful and proper ad-
ministration Of the government
| THE FALSE DOGMA OF PROTECTION.
| Opposed to this theory, the dogma is
now boldly presented that tariff taxa
tion is justitiable for the express pur-
poses and intent of thereby promoting
especial interests and enterprises
Such proposition Is 80 clearly contra
ry to the spirit of our Constitution and
80 directly encourages the disturbance
by SeliishneSS and greed of patiioti
sentiment that Its statements would
Pudely shock our people, # they
had not already been insiduously
allured from the safe land marks
OF principle. Never have hon
est desire for national growth, patriot
ic devotion to country and sincere re-
gard ioF those who toll been so be-
trayed to the support or a perGicious
+ doctrine. In its behalf, the plea that
our infant industries SHOULD be foster
; ed did service until discredted by our
stalwart growth. Th9n followed the
exigencies of terrible war, which
made our people needless of the oppor-
tunities for ulterior schemes afforded
by their willing and patriotic payment
OF unprecedented tribute; and now,
after long period Of peace, when our
! overwhelmed cOuntrymen ask for re-
= lief and for restoration to the enjoy.
+ ment 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
y OF which Is necessary in order that
l AA5A ""SS' ihNJ w poit W oul "olh
r ingmen and home market provided
, for our farm products,
DECEPTIVE PRETENSES.
Il These pre.enses should no longer de-
ceive. The truth IS that such system
, Is directly antagoniZed by every senti.
. ment of justice and fairness, of which
Americans are pre-eminenuy proud.
1t Is also true that while our working
men and farmers can, the least of all
our people. defend themselves against
the harder home life, which such tariff
taxation DEGREES, the workingman, suf-
J., fering from the importation and en-
] ployment OF pauper labor, instigated
by his professed friends, and seeking
security for his interests in organized
3 cooperation, still waits for division
. OF the advantages secured to his en-
: ployer under the cover of a generous
solic.tude for his wages, willis the far
: mer Is learning that the prices of his
products are fixed in foreign markets,
i, where he suffers from q competition
invited and built up by the system he