Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-08-27
SHERMAN'S SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE

Senator Burrows and Gentlemen Of the
Notification Committee Your chairman,
speaking for the committee, has notlned
me of my nomination by the Republican
national convention, held in Chicago IN
June, as the party's candidate for Vice
President. As CHANGED to be in Chicago
in June. had an inkling of the conven-
tons action, which was confirmed by a
warm-hearted reception rendered NE oy
my neighbors on the occasion OF my
Homecoming July 2.
This official notification. however, is
welcome and the nomination you tender
me is accepted-accepted with gratitude
commensurate with the great honor con-
ferred accepted with a full appreciation
of the obligations which accompany that
honor an honor greater because my name
is linked with that of William III. Taft.
whom / respect and esteem highly and
who approaches the high office of Presl-
dent exceptionally well equipped to dis
charge the duties and bear the varied and
weighty responsibilities of that exalted
position.
Indorses Every Statement of Taft.
My acceptance could not be made with
honor unless l were in full accord with
the declaration of principles adopted by
the convention Not only am l IN full
and complete accord with my party's
platform, but l indorse every statement
made by Mr. Taft in his address Of &C
ceptance when notified of his nomination
as the Republican candidate for Presi-
dent
That speech fully and comprehensively
discusses the issues of this campaign as
presented by the platforms of the two
great parties, so that it. is appropriate
that my statement should be short. Those
not convinced by the presentation of Mr..
Taft l could not hope to persuade. 1t
Is, however, in conformity with custom
that I refer at least briefly to some OF
the important issues of the campaign.
First, then, let me say that L am
protectionist. l am sufficiently practical
to value the utility of a fact higher than
the beauty of a theory, and | am pro-
tectionist because experience has demon
strated that the application Of that prin-
ciple has lifted us as a nation to plane
of prosperity above that occupied by any
other people.
Commends Tariff Plank.
l especially commend that plank of our
platform which promises an early revls-
ion of tariff schedules. That pledge Will
be fulfilled in an adjustment based in ev-
cry particular upon the broad principles
of protection for all American interests,
alike for labor, for capital, for producers
and for consumers. The Dingley bill,
when enacted, was well adapted to the
then existing conditions. The develop
ments of industrial prosperity in a de-
cade, which in volume and degree have
surpassed our most roseate expectations,
have so altered conditions that in certain
details of schedules they no longer in
every particular mete out justice to all.
In this readjustment the principle of
protection must and will govern; such
duties must and will be imposed as will
equalize the cost of production at home
and abroad and insure a reasonable profit
to all American interests. The Repub-
lican idea of such profit embraces not
alone the manufacturer, not alone the
capital invested, but all engaged in
American production, the employer and
employed, the artisan, the farmer, the
miner and those engaged in transporta-
ton and trade-broadly speaking, those
engaged in every pursuit and calling
which our tariff directly or indirectly af
fects During a statutory application of
this principle prosperity has abided with
us. When a revenue tariff has been the
law adversely and want have been our
portion.
Criticises Democratic Party.
Our Democratic brethren, whose men,
cries are as short as their promises are
fraiI, and who have always exhibited a
lack of capacity to profit by experience,
unmindful of the distress and destruction
that arrived and departed with the last
Democratic administration, declare in
their platform that they favor such ''im-
may be necessary to restore the tariff to
a revenue basis A revenue basis a
tariff for revenue only ultimate free
trade" all have an identical meaning,
that meaning being an assault upon
American industries, an attack upon the
American wage scale, Iessening demand
for the products of American soil and
American toll; less work, less pay, less
of the necessaries of and comforts of life.
In the light of history, what issue of
the campaign so vitality affects American
citizens? Experience, that effective teach
er-effective save with the one-man pow
er now parading under the title of the
Democratic party-has taught the nation
a valuable lesson, and the result of the
coming November election once more will
prove the American people to be apt
scholars. What the laborer of the land,
portunity at all times to exchange his
brain and Drawn for good pay in good
money. A protective tariff and the gold
standard both now the existing achieve
ments of the Republican party. in spite
of Democratic opposition, give the laborer
that opportunity.
Labor's Equality Is Upheld.
The Republican party believes in the
equality of all men before the law-be-
licves in granting labor's every request
that does not seek to accord rights to one
man denied to another. Fair minded Il
Dor asks no more, no less, and approves
the re-, ORD of the Republican party he
cause of that partys acts [ have hclDad
to make my party's record in the enact
ment Of the eight-hour law, the employers
liza lily act, the statutes to minimize the
bazard of railroad employees, the child
labor law for the District of Columbia
and other enactments designed especially
tt improve the conditions of labor. | cell
not hope to state my position on injunc-
tions better than by a specific indorse-
ment Of Mr.. Taft's Cincinnati deciara-
ton on that subject. That Endorsement |
make.
As n nation our duty compels that BY
every constitutional and reasonable means
the material and educational condition of
the c9iOl ed race be advanced. This we
owe 10 ourselves as well as to them As
the result of course of events that can
never be reversed they are a part of our
civilization: their prosperity is our pres