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and resisting in both Houses of Congress a reformation of unjust and unequal tax laws, which have outlasted the necessities of war and are now undermining the abundance of a long peace, deny to the people equality before the law and the fairness and the justice which are their right. Then the cry of American labor for a better share in the rewards of industry is stifled. with false pretenses, enterprise is fettered and bound down to home markets, capital is discouraged with doubt, and unequal, unjust laws can neither be properly amended nor repealed. The Democratic party will continue with all the power confided to it the struggle to reform these laws in accordance with the pledges of its last platform, indorsed at the ballot-box by the suffrages of the people.

"The Democratic policy is to enforce frugality in public expense and abolish unnecessary taxation. Our established domestic industries and enterprises should not and need not be endangered by the reduction and correction of the burdens of taxation. On the contrary, a fair and careful revision of our tax laws, with due allowance for the difference between the wages of American and foreign labor, must promote and encourage every branch of such industries and enterprises, by giving them assurance of an extended market and steady and continuous operations. In the interests of American labor, which should in no event be neglected, the revision of

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our tax laws contemplated by the Democratic party should promote the advantage of such labor, by cheapening the cost of necessaries of life in the home of every workingman, and at the same time securing to him steady and remunerative employment.

Upon this question of tariff reform, so closely concerning every phase of our national life, and upon every question involved in the problem of good government, the Democratic party submits its principles and professions to the intelligent suffrages of the American people."

The platform reported by the Committee was agreed to by a unanimous vote, after which the Convention proceeded to the roll-call of States for nominations for Vice-President. When California was reached, M. F. Tarpey presented the name of Allen G. Thurman, of Ohio, in a lengthy speech, which aroused great enthusiasm. Isaac P. Gray, of Indiana, and Gen. John C. Black, of Illinois, were also nominated, Gen. Black's name being withdrawn at his request. On the vote being taken, Mr. Thurman received 687 votes; Mr. Gray, 104, and Gen. Black, 31. The nomination of Mr. Thurman was then made unanimous, amid long-continued applause, and the Convention adjourned sine die, after adopting a resolution of regret for the recent deaths of those former Democratic armor-bearers, Gen. W. S. Hancock, Samuel J. Tilden, Gen. George B. McClellan, and Horatio Seymour.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE 1888 ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

RESIDENT CLEVELAND was formally

PR

notified of his nomination on the 26th of

June, 1888, the Committee upon Notification, headed by Chairman Collins, calling upon him in the Executive Mansion, where they were received by the President, his family, and the members of the Cabinet. The formal letter of notification was read by Mr. Charles D. Jacob, of Kentucky, whereupon the President replied in an earnest address, of which we give the concluding and most significant portions:

"Four years ago I knew that our Chief Executive office, if not carefully guarded, might drift little by little away from the people to whom it belonged and become a perversion of all it ought to be; but I did not know how much its moorings had already been loosened. I knew four years ago how well devised were the principles of true Democracy for the successful operation of a government by the people and for the people; but I did not know how absolutely necessary their application then was for the restoration to the people of their safety and prosperity. I knew then. that abuses and extravagances had crept into the management of public affairs, but I did not know

their numerous forms nor the tenacity of their grasp. I knew then something of the bitterness of partisan obstruction, but I did not know how bitter, how reckless, and how shameless it could be. I knew, too, that the American people were patriotic and just, but I did not know how grandly they loved their country nor how noble and generous they were.

"I shall not dwell upon the acts and the policy of the administration now drawing to its close. Its record is open to every citizen in the land.

"And yet I will not be denied the privilege of asserting at this time that in the exercise of the functions of the high trust confided to me, I have yielded obedience only to the Constitution and the solemn obligation of my oath of office. I have done those things which, in the light of the understanding God has given me, seemed most conducive to the welfare of my countrymen and the promotion of good government.

"I would not if I could, for myself nor for you, avoid a single consequence of a fair interpretation of my course.

"It but remains for me to say to you, and through you to the Democracy of the nation, that I accept the nomination with which they have honored me, and that I will in due time signify such acceptance in the usual formal manner."

The formal letter of acceptance promised at the conclusion of his address was published on Sep

tember 10th. It reiterated the strong views expressed in his message to Congress in the preceding December, in favor of tariff reduction, and in relation to the dangers likely to arise from a surplus in the Treasury.

The issue of tariff reform, thus forcibly presented, became that of the campaign, which, to a remarkable degree, was free from personalities and lying statements, and devoted to the real questions in controversy between the parties. The Republicans took up this tariff question as the basis of their arguments, a position in which they were squarely met by the Democrats; and alike on the rostrum and in the paper this became the absorbing topic of the canvass. Civil service reform, Southern representation, and the personal records of the candidates all sunk into insignificance before this great question, and the issue of free trade or protection was presented to the voting population of America as never before. For almost the first time in a Presidential canvass principles outweighed personalities, and the people found themselves face to face with the great questions of the day, instead of being regaled with new editions of the old campaign lies which had been so plentifully served up on former similar

occasions.

THE MURCHISON LETTER.

In the midst of the canvass an event took place of absorbing interest and importance, which at