Evening journal., 1892-09-27
CLEVELAND'S POSITION.
It Is Defined to the Country in
His Letter Of Acceptance.
TARIFF REFORM THE GREAT ISSUE.

4 dency Says That Free Trade Is Impos-
sible-His Views on the Elections Bill.
Pension and Money Questions.
BuzzARD's BAY, Mass, Sept. 97-Grover
4 Cleveland's letter accepting the Democratic
nomination for president of the United
states has been given out for publication.
Mr. Cleveland handed the document to ex-
Postmaster Dickinson, who in turn gave it
to the printer for transmission to the press.
The letter is as follows.
Cieveland's Letter of Acceptance.
GRAY GABLES, Sept 26
To Hon. William L. Wilson and Others, Com
mittee:
Hentlemen-In responding TO vonr formal
notification Of my nomination to the presi.
dency BY the national Democracy / hope
may be permitted tosay az the outset that con-
shued reflection and observation have con
nrineo me In my adherence TO the opinions
which havo heretofore plainly and publicly
declared, touching the questions involved in
the canvass.
This is a time above an others when these
4 questions should be considered in tho light AZ.
torded by sober apprehension OF the princi-
PIES upon which our govornment g. based and
clear understanding OF tho relation Il bears
70 the people for whose beneGt It was created.
we shall thus DO supplied with test by which
the value OF any proposition relating 10 the
maintenance and administration OF our gov
ernment can be ascertained, and by which tho
Justice and honesty of every political question
can be Judged lf doctrines or theories are
presented which do not satisfy this test loyal
AInerlcanism must pronounce them false aud
mischiovous.
n The protection Of the people in the exclusive
& use and enjoyment of their property and earn
ings cOncededly constitutes the especial pur-
N Ia.l fH
design is so interviewer with the structure OF
our plan Of rule that failure to protect the citi
zen in such use and enjoyment, OF their uniusti-
liable diminution by the government itself, is a
betrayal Of the peoples trust.
We have however undertaken to build
great nation upon plan especially our own
10 maintain 1t and to furnish through its
agency the means for tho accomplishment OF
national objects the American people are will
ing through federal taxation TO surrender O
& part Of their earnings and income.
Tariff legislation presents familiar form OF
Federal taxation. Such legislation results rs
surely in tax upon the daily lifo Of our peopie
as the tribute paid directly into the hand of tho
tax gatherer. 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.
Al Such taxes, representing a diminution Of the
Z property rights Of the people, are only iustida-
Die when laid and collected for the PURPOSE OF
maintaining our government and furnishing
the means for the accomplishment Of its lo.,iti-
mate purposes and functions This is taxation
under the operation Of a tariff for revenue 1t
nccords with the professions Of American fres
institutions, and its justice and honesty answer
the test supplied b. a correct appreciation OF
the principles upon which these institutions
rest.
Protection.
This theory Of tariff legislation manifestly
"a IN
and their Limitation TO legitimate public uses,
inasmuch as it exhibits az absolute Oxtortiou
any exaction, by way Of taxation, from tho sub
stance Of the people beyond the necessities of 2
careful and proper administration OF govern.
ment.
Opposed to this theory tho dogma Is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is iustiha.
bic for the express purpose and intout OF
thereby promoting especial interests and ON tor
prises. Such proposition Is so clearly CON
trary to the spirit Of our constitution aud 50
directly encourages the disturbance by selfish
ness and greed Of patriotic sentiment that its
statement would rudely shock our people IL
they had not already been insidiously sllured
from the safe landmarks OF principle Never
nave honest desire Tor national growth, patriot
ic devotion to country and sincere REGARD FOR
those who toll been so betrayed 70 the support
Of a pernicious doctrine.
In its behalf the plea that our infant indus
tries should be fostered did service until dis.
credited by our stalwart growth; then followed
the exigoncies Of a terrible war which made
our people needless OF the opportunitios for
interior schoues afforded by their wiling and
patriotic payment Of unprecedented tribute;
and now, after a long period OF peace, when
our oyerburdened countrymon ask for relief
and restoration 70 q fuller enjoyment Of thoir
incomes and earnings, they arc mot by the
claim that tariff taxation for the sake OF pro-
lection is an American system, the continuance
OF which is necessary in order that high wages
may be paid TO our workingmen and a home
market be provided for our farm products
These prctenses should no longer deceive.
The truth is that such system is directly an.
tagonized by every sentiment Of justice and
fairness OF which Americans are pre-efninentlv
proud It IS also true that while our WORKING.
men and farmers can, tho least Of all our ueo.
pie, defend themselves against the harder home
life which such iarih taxation docrees the
Workingman suffering from tho imDorta fion
and employment Of pauper labor insiigated 10y
his professed friends and soehing security Tor
his interests in organized cooperation, still
waits for q division of the advantages secured
to his employer under cover Of generous so
icitude for his wages, while the farmer Is
learning that tho prices OF his products arr
fixed In foreign markets, where he suffers from
a competition invited and built up by the sys.
tenn he is asked TO support
Tariff Reform.
Tho struggle for unearned advantage at th,
doors Of the government tramplcs on the rights
Of those who patiently rely upon assurances o.
American equality. Every governmental con
cesson to clanorou8 favoritos invites corrup
tion in political affairs by encouraging the *
penditure Of money TO dobauch suffrage in sun
port Of policy directly favorable to priyat,
and selfish gain. This in the end must strangl,
patriotism and weaken popular confidence IN
the rectitudo Of republican institutions
Though the subjeUs Of tariff legislation in
wolves question OF markets, it also involves d
question Of morals. We cannot with impunity
permit injustice 70 faint the spirit Of righ. and
equity which is ihe life OF our republic. and we
shall fail 10 reach our national destiny il greed
and soltshness lead the way.
Recognizing these truths. tho national Deunoc
racy viii seek by the application Of lust and
sound principles to equalize TO our people tho
blessings dae thcm from the government they
support, TO promote among our countryrnen 4
closer community of interests cemented by pa
triotism ana national pride, and 70 point on. q
fair fold where prosperous and diversified
American enterprise may grow and thrive in
the wholesome atmosphere of American indus
try ingenuity and intelligence.
Tariff reform is stil our purpose. Though
we oppose the theory that tariff laws may bc
passed having for their object the granting OF
discriminating and unfair governmental aid tc
private ventures, we wage no oxiorminatins