The record-union., 1892-09-27
Special to the REcoRD-US1oN.


a synopsis of Cleveland's letter of accept
ance of the nomination Tor the Presi
dency:
Hon. William L. HJLSon and others Of
the committee: In responding to the
formal notification of the nomination to
the Presidency by the National Democracy
hope | may be permitted to say at the
outset that continued reflection and OBJ
servatiOn have confirmed me in my adj
herence to the opinions which | have
heretofore plainly and publicly declared.
Touching the questions involved in
the canvass, this is the time, above all
others, when these questions should be
considered in a light afforded by sober
apprehension of the principles upon
which our Government is based, and a
clear understanding of the relation il
bears to the people for whose benefit it
was created. We shall thus be supplied
with test by which the value OF any
proposition relating to the maintenance
and administration OF our Government
can be ascertained, and by which the JUS
tice and honesty of every political ques-
ton can be judged. II doctrines or the
cries are presented which do not satisfy
this test loyal Americanism must pro-
nounce them false and mischievous.
The protection of the people in the ex-
elusive enjoyment of their property and
earnings concededly constitutes the espe-
government. This design is so inter
woven with the structure of our plan OF
rule that failure to protect our citizens
In such use and enjoyment, or their in
justifiable diminution by the Government
itself is betrayal ofthe peoples trust.
We have undertaken To build a great
nation upon plan of our own. To fur
nish the means for the accomplishment Of
national objects, the American people are
willing, through Federal taxation, to
surrender part of their earnings and
income. Tariff legislation presents IA
miliar form of Federal taxation, and the
results are as surely tax upon the daily
Lie OF our people as tribute paid di-
rectly into the hands of the tax-gatherer
We teel 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 are only
Justltiable for the purpose of maintaining
the Government and furnishing the
means Tor the accomplishment of its
legitimate purposes. This is taxation
under the operation of the tariff for rev.
enue 1t manifestedly enioins strict
economy in public expenditures and their
Limitation TO Legitimate public uses, mas
much as 1t exhibits an absolute exactIon
by way OF taxation from the substance OF
the people beyond the necessities of
careful and proper administration of the
Government.
Opposed to this theory a dogma is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is
justifiabie for the express purpose and
intent of promoting especial interests
and enterprises. Such proposition is so
clearly contrary to the spirit of our Con-
stitudOn, and SO directly encourages dis
turbance by the selfshness and greed of
patriotic sentiment. that its statement
would rudely shock our people, if they
had not already been insidiously allured
frSspra laf, Gra,., ,,,f,
have an honest desire for national growth,
patriotic devotion to the country and a
sincere regard for those who toll been
so betrayed to support pernicious doc
trine.
The plea that our infant industries
should be foStered did service until dis
credited by our stalwart growth. Then
followed the exigencies of terrible war,
and now, after long period Of peace,
when our overburdened countrymen
ask for relief and restoration to a fuller
enjoyment ofincomes and earnings. they
are met by the claim that tariff taxation
for the sake of protection is the meri-
can system, continuance Of which is
necessary in order that high wages NAV
be paid our workmen and home markets
be provided for farm products. These
pretenses should no longer deceive. The
truth is, such system is directly antag-
onized by every sentiment of Justice and
eminently proud.
1t is also true that while our
workingmen and farmers can, least
of all our people, defend them
selves against the harder home
life which such tariff taxation DEGREES
the workingman is suffering from the
importation and employment Of pauper
labor, instigated by protested friends,
and, seeking security in organized CO.
operation, still waits for division OF the
advantages secured the employer under
cover OF a generous solicitude for his
wages, while the farmer is learning that
the prices of his products are fixed in
foreign market, where he suffers from
competition invited and built up by
system he is asked to support.
Every governmental concession to
clamorous tayoriteS invites corruption in
political affairs by encouraging the ex-
pendlture OF money TO debauch suffrage
in support of a policy directly favorable
to private and selfish gain. This in the
end must strangle patriotism and weaken
popular confidence in the rectitude of
republican institutions. RECOGNIZING
these truths, the national Democracy will
seek, by the application Of Just and sound
principles, to equalize to the people n
blessing due them from the Government
they support; promote among our coun-
trymen a clever community of interests
cemented by patriotism and national
pride, ana point OUT q fair field where
prosperous and diversified American
enterprise thrive in the wholesome at
mosphere of American industry. in
genuity and intelligence.
Tariff reform Is still our purpose, We
wage no exterminating war against any
American interest; we believe a reaCiiusf-
ment can be accomplished without disas-
ter or demolition; we believe the adyaut-
ages of freer raw material should be
accorded our manufacturers, ana contem-
plate a careful distribution of necessary
tariff burdens. rather thar the precipita-
ton of free trade; we anticipate with
caImneSs a misrepresentation OF our mo-
tives and purposes, and rely upon the IN
telii9ence of our fellow-countrymen TO
reject the charge that the party compris-
ing the majority OF our people is planning
the destruction or injury of American lR-
terests, and we know they cannot be
frightened by the specter OF impossible
free trade.
The administration and management of
our Government depends upon popular
VIII. The attempt of the opponents OF
the democracy to interfere with and con-
tro! the suffrage of States through fed
eraI agencies develops design which no
explanation can mitigate To reverse fund
anentaI and safe relations between the
people and the Government. Such an at
tempt cannot fail TO be regarded by
thoughtful men as a PROOF OF bold deter
minatIon to secure the ascendenev of the
discredited party in reckless disregard