The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-09-26


ker's letter of acceptance of the Dem
ocratic nomination for the presidency
was given out to-day. 1t is as follows:
To the Honorable Champ Clark and
Others, Committee, etc:
Gentlemen-In my response to your
committee, at the formal notification
proceedings, referred to some matters
not mentioned in this letter. 1 desire
that these be considered as incorpor-
ated herein, and regret that lack of
space prevents specific reference to
them all. l wish here, however, again
to refer to my views there expressed
as to the gold standard, to declare
again my unqualified belief in said
standard, and to express my appre-
citation of the action of the convention
in reply to my communication upon
that subject.
Grave public questions are pressing
for decision. The Democra tic party ap-
peals to the people with confidence that
its position on these questions will be
accepted and indorsed at the polls.
While the issues involved are numer-
Gus, some stand forth pre-eminent in
the public mind. Among these are
tariff reform, imperialism, economical
administration and honesty in the pub
lie service. 1 shall briefly consider
these and some others within the nee
essarily prescribed limits of this letter
The Vital Issue of imperialism.
While 1 presented my views at the
notification proceedings concerning this
vital issue, the overshadowing impor-
tance of this question impels me to
refer to it again. The issue is often
times referred to as Constitutionalism
VS.. Imperialism.
II we would retain our liberties and
constitutional rights unimpaired, we
cannot permit or tolerate, at any time
or for any purpose, the arrogation of
unconstitutional powers by the execu-
tive branch of our government. We
should be ever mindful of the words of
Webster, Liberty is only to be pre-
served by maintaining constitutional
restraints and just divisions of politi-
cal powers"
Already the national government has
become centralized beyond any point
contemplated or imagined by the franz
erS of the constitution. How tre-
mendously all this has added to the
power of the President! 1t has devel-
oped from year to year until 1t almost
equals that of many monarchs. While
the growth of our country and the
magnitude of interstate interests may
seem to furnish a plausible reason for
this Capitalization of power, yet these
same facts afford the most potent rea-
son why the executive should not be
permitted to encroach upon the other
departments of the government, and
assume legislative, or other powers,
not expressly conferred by the consu-
tuition.
The Magnitude of the Country.
The magnitude Of the country and
its diversity of interests and popula-
ton would enable a determined, am
bilious and able executive, unmindful
of constitutional limitations and fired
with the lust of power, to go far in the
usurpation of authority and the ag-
grandizement of personal power before
the situation could be fully appreciated
or the people be aroused.
The issue of Imperialism which has
been thrust upon the country IN
wolves a decision whether the law OF
the land or the rule of Individual ca
price shall govern. The principle oi
Imperialism may give rise to brilliant
startling, dashing results put the
principle of Democracy holds in checB
the brilliant executive and subjects hin
to the sober, conservative control oi
the people.
The people of the United States stand
at the parting of the ways. Shall we
follow the footsteps of our fathers
along the paths of peace, prosperity
and contentment, guided by the ever
living spirit of the constitution whlch
they framed for us, or shall we &c
along other and untried paths, hither-
to Stunned by all, following blindly
new ideals, which. though appealing
with brilliancy to the imagination and
ambition, may prove a viii Q the
wisp, leading us into difficulties from
which Il may be impossible TO extri-
cate ourselves without lasting injury
to our national character and institu'
The Tariff and Trusts.
Tariff reform is one of the cardina
principles of the Democratic faith, anC
the necessity for IL was never greatel
than at the present time. IL should
be undertaken at once in the interes
OF all our people. =.
The Dingley tariff Is excessive u
many OF It's rates. and. as 10 them
dens the people. II secures TO domestic
manufacturers. singy or In combina
ton, the privilege Of exacting excessive
prices at home and prices far aboy
the level OF sales made regularly D.
them abroad with profit, thus givlnl
bounty 20 foreigners AT the eKpenH
of our own people It's unjust taxation
burdens the people generally, f0rcinl
them 10 pay excessive prices for food
fuel, clothing and other neceaaarles %
life. n leyies duties on many article
not normally imported ln any consider
able amount. which are made ekten
fiNely af home, for which ihe most ~
treme prOffrflonisf would hardly 1us
ny protective faKes. and which in larg
amounts afo exported. fuch dune
have been and viii continue ~ D.
direct incentive ~ fhe formation y
huge industrial combinations. which
secure from foreign rowrefifipni an
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