New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-27
MR.. CLEVELAND'S LETTER.
ACCEPTING THE NOMINATION OF THE
CHICAGO CONVENTION.

THE EX-PREs1DENT DISCUSSES THE TARIFF AT
SOME LENGTH AND TOUCHES LIGHTLY on
| FEDERAL SUPERVISION OF ELECTIONS
AND A VARIETY OF OTHER SUB
JECTS-wANTs TO BE TRUSTED
FOR THE TH1NGS
LEFT UNsAID.
Buzzard's Bay, Mass., Sept 26.-The letter OF
ex-Presilent Cleveland accepting the nomination
as the Democratic candidate for President ol Une
United States was made public to-day. 1t Is
as fellows:
To Hon. William L. Wilson and others. Committee
etc
Gentlemen: In responding to your formal notl-
fcaton of nv nomination to the Presidency BY the
National Democracy, hope may be permitted to
sav at the outset mat continued reflection and OBJ
servation have confirmed me in my adherence to
the opinions which have heretofore plainly and
publicly declared touching the questions involved
| in the canvass.
This is a time. above all others. when these
questions should he considered in the light afforded
by a sober apprehension of the principles upon
which our Government is based and a clear I'M
derstanding of the relation it bears TO the people
| for whose benefit il was created. We shall thus
| he supplcd with n test by which the value OF any
proposition relating 10 the maintenance and ad-
mnistraton of our Government can be ascertalned,
| and by which the Justice and honesty OF every po-
! litical question can he 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 exclusive Use
and enjoyment Of their property and earnings CON
ccdedy constitutes the special 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 such use and enjoy
ment, OF their unjustifabe diminution by the Gov
ernmcnt itself. is betrayal of the peoples trust
| TARIFF LEGISLATION
We have, however. undertaken TO build great
nation upon plan especially our own. To main
tain il and to furnish through its agency 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 a familiar form Of Fed
eral taxation. Such legislation results as surely
| in tax upon the daily life Of our people as the
tribute paid directly into the hand of the tax
gathercr We feel the burden of these tariff taxes
| too palpaby to he persuaded by any sophstry that
they do not exist or paid by foreigners
| Such taxes, representing diminution Of the
property rights Of the people, only iusifiable
when laid and collected for the purpose of main
tanning our Government and furnishing the means
for the accomplishment of it's legitimate purposes
and functions. This is taxation under the op-
Grafton of a tariff for revenue II accords with
| ;he professions OF American free institutions and
its Justice and honesty answer the test supplied
by a correct appreciation of the principles upon
which these institutions rest.
This theory Of tariff legislation manifcstly en-
/ oins strict economy in public expenditures and
their limitation 70 legitimate public uses, mas
much as II exhibits absolute extortfon anyf
cxaction by way of taxation from the substance
OF the people. beyond the necessities of careful
and proper administration of government
A woFUL PICTURE DRAWN.
Opposed to this theory the dogma is now boldly
presented that tarh taxation is justiiiabe for
the express purpose and intent Of thereby promot-
ING especial interests and enterprises Snch n
proposition is so clearly contrary TO the spirit OF
our Constitution and directly encourages the
disturbance by selishness and greed of patriotic
sentiment, that It's statement would rudely shocK
our people ifthey had not already been insldlously
allurod from the safe landmarks Of principle.
Never have honest desire for National CROWN,
patriotic devotion 10 country, and sincere regard
for those who toll been betrayed 10 the sup
port OF pcrnicious doctrine. In its behalf, the
plea that our infant industries should be fostered
did service until discredited by our stalwart
Growth then followed the exisenccs OF terrible
war which made our people needless OF the OPP
portunitics for ultcrior schemes afforded by their
willing and patriotic payment of unprecedented
tribute; and now, after long period Of peace,
when our overburdcncd countrymen ask for relief
and n restoration 20 n fuller enjoyment Of their
incomes and earnings they are iaet by the claim
that tariff taxation for the sake of protection u
an American system, the continuance or when Is
necessary in order that high WAGES may be paid
TO our workingmen and home market be pro-
vidcd for our farm products
Those prctcnce, should no longer deceive. The
truth is that such system is directly antagonzed
by every sentiment of justice and fairness OF
which Americans are prominently proud IL Is
also true that while our workingmen and farmers
can the least of all our people, defend themselves
against the harder home life which such tariff
taxation DEGREES, the workingman suffering from
the Importation and employment of paupcr labor
instigatcd by his professed friends, and seeking
security for his interests in organized cooperation
still waits for division of the advantages secured
to his employer under cover Of a generous So
licitudc for his wages, while the farmer Is learn
ing that the prices of his products are fixed IN
foreign markets, where he suffers from compe-
t,ion invited and built up by system he is asked
TO support.
MARKETS AND MORALS.
The struggle for unearned advantage at tho
doors of the Government trampcs on thc rights
of those who patiently rely upon assurances OF
American equality. Every Governmental con-
cession 10 camcrCus favorites invites corruption
in political affairs by encouraging the expenditure
of money to dcbauch suffrage in support OF
rocr DIRECTLY favorable to private and selfish gain