Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-09-27
Nh. CIeyeIaHdS Letter Of Acceptance.

Cleveland accepting the nomination as
the democratic candidate for President
of the United States:
10 Hon. I'm. l. Wls0a, md others, COM
m6tec. eic.:
GeaHcmea-In responding to your
formal notification OF my nomination to
the presidency by the national democ-
racy, hope may be permitted to say
at the outset that continued reflection
and 5servation have confirmed me in
my adherence to the opinions which |
have heretofore plainly and publicly
declared, touching the questions involv-
ed in the canvass.
This is time, above all others, when
these questions should be considered
III the light afforded by sober apprc-
hension of the principles upon which
our government is based and a clear
understanding of the relation it bears to
the people for whose benefit it was ere
ated. We shall thus be supplied with
a test by which the value of All, prop
ostion relating to the maintenance and
administration of our government can
be ascertaincd, and by which the JUS
tice and honesty of every political
question can be judged. Ifdoctrines
or theories are presented which do not
satisfy Il; test, loyal Americanism
must pronounce them false and mis-
chievous.
The protection of the people in the
exclusive use and enjoyment of their
property and earnings. concededly con-
stitutes the especial purpose and mis-
sion of our free government. This de
sign is so interviewer with the structure
of our plan of rule, that failure to pro-
tect the citizen in such use and enjoy
mcnt, or their unjustifiable diminution
by the government itself is q betrayal
of the peoples trust.
We have, however, undertaken to
build q great nation upon plan es-
peciallv our own. To maintain it, and
to furnish, thr,u h its a:e CO the
means for the accomplishment of ma
tional objects, the American people are
Wiling. through federal taxation, TO
surrender part of their earnings and
income
Tariff legislation presents familiar
form of federal taxation. Such legisla-
ton results as surely in :; tax upon the
daily life OF our people as the tribute
paid directly into the hands Of a tax
eatherer. We feel the burden Of these
tariff taxes too palpably TO be pursuad-
% W. any sophistry that they do not
81, or are paid by foreigners.
such taxes. representing a diminu-
ton of the property rights Of the PEG.
Mo ,rc only Unsuitable when laid and
collected for the purpose of maintain
inc our government. aad furnishing the
means for the accomplishment of its
legitimate purposes ana functions.
This is taxation uIder the opelTli = Of
Il tariff for revenue. 1t accordA 49, -
profess as OF American free lnstitu-
f tons, md It's justice and honesty an
, sU.r the test supplied by a correct APP
} preciation of tie principles upon which
T these institutions
This theory OF tariff legislation mani
testify enioins strict economy in public
expenditures and their limitation TO le-
: climate public uses, inasmuch as it ex-
hibits as absolute eXtortion any eXac-
5 ton. by way of taxation, from the sub
' stance of the people beyond the neces-
5 sites of careful and proper administra-
l ton of government
Opposed to this theory, the dogma is
5 now boldly presented that tariff taxa
: ton is Unsuitable for the express pur-
pose and intent of thereby promoting
special interests and enterprises. Such
a proposition is so clearly contrary to
the spirit of our Constitution, and so
directly encourages the Disturbances
by selliShness and greed, Of patriotic
1 sentiment that its statement would
rudely shock cur people, if they had
not already been insidiously allured
from the safe landmarks of principle.
Never have honest desire for national
= growth. patriotic devotion to country
aad sincere regard for those who toll
: been so betrayed TO the support of II
e pernicious doctrine. In its behalf the
: plea that or infant industries should
he fostered did service until discrcditcd
by Cur stalWart growth. Then follow
ed the eXigencics Of terrible war,
] which made our people needless of the
: opportunities for Interior schemes al
, forded by their willing and patriotic
payment of unprecedented tribute and
now, after long period of peace, when
I our overburdcned countrymen ask for
, relief and restoration to q fuller en-
iovmcnt 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 of
: which is necessary in order that high
l wages may be paid to our workingmen,
and IL home market be provided for our
farm products.
These pretenscs should no longer de-
ceive. The truth is that such a system
is antagonized by every sentiment of
Justice and fairness, of which Ameri-
cans are prominently proud. 1t IS
also true that while our workingmen
and farmers can, the least OF all our
t people. defend themselves against the
: harder home life which such tariff taxa
! ton decreases, the workingman suffer
f ing from the importation and employ
4 ment of pauper labor instigated by his
e protested friends and seeking security
: for his interests in organized co-opera
: ton, still waits for division of the adj
e vantages secured to his employer, un-
: der cover Of generous solicitudc for
I his wages, while the farmer is learning
! that the prices of his products are fixed
in foreign markets, where he suffers
Il from a competition invited and built
: up BIZ the system he is asked to sup
/ port.
:. The struggle for unearned advantage