YALE UNIVERSITY
SEP 9 1908
LIBRARY.

Address

of

James S. Sherman

in response to

Notification Speech

at

Utica, N. Y.
August 18, 1908

Cd3C

cAddress of James S. Sherman
Senator Burrows and Gentlemen of the Notification Committee :
Your chairman, speaking for the committee, has notified me of
my nomination by the Republican national convention, held in Chi
cago in June, as the party's candidate for Vice President. As I
chanced to be in Chicago in June, I had an inkling of the conven
tion's action, which was confirmed by a warm-hearted reception ten
dered me by my neighbors on the occasion of my home-coming on
July 2. In Accord With "Mr. Taft
This official notification, however, is welcome and the nomination
you tender me is accepted ; accepted with a gratitude commensurate
with the great honor conferred ; accepted with a full appreciation of
the obligations which accompany that honor, an honor greater be
cause my name is linked with that of William H. Taft, whom I re
spect and esteem highly and who approaches the high office of Pres
ident exceptionally well equipped to discharge the duties and bear
the varied and weighty responsibilities of that exalted position. My
acceptance could not be made with honor unless I were in full accord
with the declaration of principles adopted by the convention. Not
only am I in full and complete accord with my party's platform, but
I endorse every word of the statement made by Mr. Taft in his
address of acceptance when notified of his nomination as the Repub
lican candidate for President.
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
riot convinced by the presentation of Mr. Taft I could not hope to
persuade. It is, however, in conformity with custom that I refer at
least briefly to some of the important issues of the campaign.
A Discussion of the Tariff Issue
First, then, let me say that I am a protectionist. I am suffi
ciently practical to value the utility of a fact higher than the beauty
of a theory, and I am a protectionist because experience has demon-

4
strated that the application of that principle has lifted us as a Nation
to a plane of prosperity above that occupied by any other people.
I especially commend that plank of our platform which promises
an early revision of tariff schedules. That pledge will be fulfilled in
an adjustment based in every particular upon the broad principles of
protection for all American interests ; alike for labor, for capital, for
producers and consumers. The Dingley Bill, when enacted, was well
adapted to the then existing conditions. The developments of indus
trial prosperity in a decade, which in volume and degree have sur
passed 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 pro
tection 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 Republican idea
of such a profit embraces not alone the manufacturer, not alone the
capital invested, but all engaged in American production, the em
ployer and employed, the artisan, the farmer, the miner and those
engaged in transportation and trade ; broadly speaking, those en
gaged in every pursuit and calling which our tariff directly or in
directly affects. During a statutory application of this principle,
prosperity has abided with us. When a revenue tariff has been the
law, adversity and want have been our portion. Our Democratic
brethren, whose memories are as short as their promises are frail,
and who have always exhibited a lack of capacity to profit by ex
perience, unmindful of the distress and destruction that arrived and
departed with the last Democratic administration, declare in their
platform that they favor such "immediate revision of * * *
schedules as 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, a lessening demand for the products of American soil
and American toil; less work, less pay, less of the necessaries and
comforts of life. In the light of history, what issue of the campaign
so vitally affects American citizens? Experience, that effective
teacher — effective save with the one-man power now parading under
the title of the Democratic party — has taught the Nation a valuable
lesson and the result of the coming November election will once
more prove the American people to be apt scholars. What the la
borer of the land, skilled and unskilled^ desires is the opportunity
at all times to exchange his brain and brawn for good pay in good

5
money. A protective tariff and the gold standard, both now the
existing achievements of the Republican party, in spite of Demo
cratic opposition, give the laborer that opportunity.
Enactments for Labor
The Republican party believes in the equality of all men before
the law ; believes in granting labor's every request that does not
seek to accord rights to one man denied to another. Fair-minded
labor asks no more, no less, and approves the record of the Repub
lican party because of that party's acts.
I have helped to make my party's record in the enactment of the
Eight-Hour Law, the Employers' Liability Act, the statutes to min
imize the hazard of railroad employes, the Child Labor Law for the
District of Columbia, and other enactments designed especially to
improve the conditions of labor. I cannot hope to better state my
position on injunctions than by a specific endorsement of Mr. Taft's
•Cincinnati declaration on that subject. That endorsement I make.

The Colored Race
As a Nation our duty compels that by every constitutional and
reasonable means the material and educational condition of the col
ored race be advanced. This we owe to ourselves as well as to
them. As the result of a course of events that can never be reversed,
they are a part of our civilization ; their prosperity is our prosperity ;
their debasement would be our misfortune. The Republican party,
therefore, will offer every encouragement to' the thrift, industry and
intelligence that will better their prospect of higher attainment.
Army and Navy and Merchant Marine
I believe in the maintenance of such an army, the upbuilding of
such a navy as will be the guarantee of the protection of American
citizens and American interests everywhere, and an omen of peace;
that at every exposed point we may be so fortified that no power on
earth may be tempted to molest us. I believe in the restoration of
the American merchant marine and in rendering whatever financial
aid may be necessary to accomplish this purpose.
I approve the movement for the conservation of our natural re
sources ; the fostering of friendly foreign relations ; the enforcement
of our Civil Service Law, and the enactment of such statutes as will
more securely and more effectively preserve the public health.

Adherence to Roosevelt Policies
Our platform, as it should do, pledges adherence to the policies
of President Roosevelt ; promises to continue the work inaugurated
during his administration, to insure to persons and property every
proper safeguard and all necessary strengthening of administrative
methods will be provided to furnish efficient inspection and super
vision, and prompt righting of every injustice, discrimination and
wrong. I have not touched upon every plank of our splendid platform, but
I reiterate my full and unqualified approval of its every promise.
No* Class Legislation
I emphasize as my party's creed and my faith that in legislation
and administration favor should be extended to no class, no sect, no
race, no section as opposed to another. To foster class hatred, to
foster discontent, is un-Republican and un-American. Our party
stands on the declaration that all men are created with equal rights
and it will have no part in the enactment or execution of any law
that does not apply alike to all good American citizens, whatever
their calling or wherever they live. It will allow no man in our
land to have advantage in law oyer any other man. It offers no
safeguard to capital that is not guaranteed to labor ; no protection
to the workman that is not insured to his employer. It would offer
to each and to both in pursuit of health' and happiness and prosperity
every possible advantage.
The work that has been given the Republican party to do has
been of immense importance. Much of that work has been fully
accomplished ; some has yet to be completed. Republican declara
tions once in our platform and no longer there, are omitted because
they have become accomplished facts. On the other hand, Dem
ocratic declarations have been abandoned because the voters have
pronounced them to be unwise and unsafe and unsuited to our times
and our country. The People Rule
"Shall the people rule?" is declared by the Democratic platform
. and candidate to be "the overshadowing issue * * * now under
discussion." It is no issue. Surely the people shall rule, surely the
people have ruled ; surely the people do rule. No party rules. The
party, commissioned by the people, is simply the instrument to exe
cute the people's will, and from that party which does not obey

7
their expressed will, or which lacks the wisdom to lead successfully,
the people will withdraw their commission.
For half a century, with but two exceptions, the people have com
missioned the Republican party to administer the national Govern
ment ; . commissioned it because its declared principles appealed to
their best judgment ; commissioned it because the common sense
of the American people scented danger in Democratic policies. Ours
always has been, always must be, a Government of the people. That
party will, after March 4 next, execute old laws and enact new ones
as in November it is commissioned by the people to do. That com
mission will be from an untrammeled American electorate. Shame
on the party which, shame on the candidate who, insults the Amer
ican people by suggestion or declaration that a majority of its elec
torate is venal. The American voter, with rare exception, in cast
ing his ballot, is guided by his best judgment,. by his desire to con
serve his own and the public weal.
The Overshadowing Issue and Party Record
The overshadowing issue of the campaign really is : shall the ad
ministration of President Roosevelt be approved; shall a party of
demonstrated capacity in administrative affairs be continued in
power, shall the reins of government be placed in experienced hands,
or do the people prefer to trust their destinies to an aggregation of
experimental malcontents and theorists, whose only claim to a his
tory is a party name they pilfered.
With a record of four decades of wise legislation; two score
years of faithful administration; offering its fulfilled pledges as a
guaranty of its promises for the future, the Republican party appeals
to the people and, with full confidence in their wisdom and patriot
ism, awaits the rendition of the November verdict.

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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