The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-10-06
CLEvE1AND's LETTER.
A Concise Exposition of Democratic Pro
fessiOns.

/
/ A Concise Exposition of Democratic Pro.
| fessions.
Ex-President Grover Cleveland gave to the
public his letter of acceptance last week, from
which the following are extracts,
| The protection of the people in the exclusive
use and enjoyment Of their property and earn
ings concededly constitutes the especial purpose
and mission of our free Government. This de.
sign IS so interviewer with the structure of our
plan OF rule that failure to protect the citizen
| in such use or enjoyment, or their unjustfisble
diminution by the Government itself, is be-
| trayal of the peoples trust
| We have however, undertaken to build a
| great Nation upon plan especially our own.
| 10 maintain it and to furnish through its
agency the means for the accomplishment oil
| National objects the American people are will.
| ing, through Federal taxation, to surrender a
| part of their earnings and income.
Tariff legislation presents n familiar form OF
| Federal 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-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.
Such taxes, representing the diminution of
the property rights of the people, are only
| JusEfiable when laid and collected for the pur-
| pose OF maintaining cur Government and fur
| nlshing the means for the accomplishment OF
| its Legitimate purposes and functions. This is
taxation under the operation. of a tariff for
revenue. 1t accords with the 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 manfestly
ar tpra
| and their limitation to legitimate public uses,
lnasmuch as it exhibits as absolute extortiou
any exaction, by way of taxation. from the
substance of the people, beyond the necessities
OF a careful and proper administration OF Gov
ernment.
Opposed to this theory the dogma is now
boldly presented that tariff taxation is justiti-
able for the express purpose and intent Of
thereby promoting especial interests and en-
| terprses. Such proposition is so clearly con-
trary to the spirit Of our Constitution and so
directly encourages the disturbance by selfish
ness and greed Of patriotic sentiment that its
| statement would rudely shock people if
they had not already been insiGiously allured
from the safe landmarks Of principle.
Never have honest desire for National
growth, patriotic devotion to country and sim
cers regard for those who toll, been so betrayed
to the support of perncious doctrine.
The truth is that such system is directly
antagonizcd by every sentiment of justice and
fairness OF which Americans pre- eminently
proud 1t is also true that while our working
men and farmers can the least of all our peo-
pie, defend themselves against the harder home
life which such tariff taxation DEGREES, the
workingman, suffering from the importation
and employment of pauper labor instigated by
his protested friends, and seeking security for
his interests in organized cooperation, still
waits for division Of the advantages secured
to his employer under cover of generous
solicitudo for his wages, while the farmer is
learning that the prices of his products are
fixed in foreign markets. where he suffers from
competition invited and built up by the
system he is asked to support.
Recognizing these truths, the National De-
mOcracy will seek, by the application Of just
and sound principles, to equalize to our people
the blessings due them from the Government
they support, to promote among our country
men closer community of interests cemeBted
by patriotism and National PRIDE and to point
out fair field, where prosperous and diversi-
fled American enterprise may grow and thrive
III the wholesome atmosphere OF american
industry ingenuity, and intelligence.
Tariff reform is still our purpose. Though
we oppose the theory that tariff laws may be
passed having for their object the granting of
discriminating and unfair governmental aid to
private ventures, we wage no EXTERN mating
war against any American interests We be-
lieye REIMBURSEMENT can he accomplished in
accordance with The principles we profess,
without disaster or demolition.
The administration and management of our
Government depend upon popular will. Fed
cra power is the instrument Of that will, not
its master Therefore the attempt of the OPP
ponents of Democracy to interfere with and
control the suffrage Of the States through gen.
eral agencies develops design, which 10 ex-
PLANTATION can mitigate to reverse the fuBda-
mental and safe relations between the people
and their Government Such an attempt cam
not fail to be regarded by thoughtful men as
proof of n bold determination to secure the as
cendancy of a discredited party in reckless dis
regard of a free expression of the popular will.