New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-17
cOYERyOR CLEVELAND'S FUTURE.

To an impartial observer it looks as II our
excellent Governor had fallen into the precise
tracks of his great predecessor, who, beginning
as the Great Reformer, walked slowly up the
steps of his high ambition, till sliding round
the summit he disappeared as the Great De-
frauded. Like Mr. Tilden. Governor Glove
land was elected by a majority so overwhelm-
inc rs to be a surprise even to himself. mat
majority was composed, ike MI. lliuei -
very largely of dissatisfied and indie
pendent Republicans and unattached voters
Governor Cleveland's election in 1882 meant
precisely what MIR. Tilden's did IN 1871
not so much Democratic victory as Republican
defeat; not popular approval OF the Demo
cratic party and its principles, but popular
disapprovai of Republican leaders, manage
ment and methods. The bee whose buzzlng
hogan in Mr.. Tiden's bonnet the morning
after the State election in 1874, and which
will probably never go out except to give
n,ace 70 the worm, was engendered by the
6cures of that sweeping majority. No man
ever was or ever will be elected Governor
| of New-York by any such majority without
hearing in the very click OF the instrument
| that drops into his ear the arithmetic OF his
apparent popularity, not only the buzz OF the
| Presidential bee but the songs OF all MacOeth's
witches round the caldron.
That Governor Cleveland has listened to the
| buzz of the one and the ambition begetting
| song of the other, no one who has watched
his career from his entrance upon office can
doubt. And we are just enough to say
that no one in his situation could
beIn il. A much greater man than
he to wit, Mr.. Tilden, has been be-
beguiled by them. We do not think that we
| astonish Governor Cleveland in the least de-
gree when we say it has been discovered thar
| he harbors the idea that he may be at least a
candidate for President of the United States.
| But he hcsitates, well he may. lie
has one of three courses open TO MIN. lie
may follow exactly in Mr.. 1ilden's steps
| he may turn the other way, or he may take
that UNEMPLOYED course between the two
| II is for him to count all the chances
and decide among the three. lie has all
the lights of Mr.. Tilden's career tC
puide him. He has the rock on which
| that great man split his bark well up above
tbe water "a his warning. The question now
is what will Governor Cleveland dol VIII he
take the chaLces Of losing some Democratic
| sunnort from the low-down machine managers
of that party, and gaining by il large accrc'
tion of doubtful Republicans and unattached
voters7 VIII he take another chance OF com
ing out fairly and squarely for reiorm-ioi
administrative REFORM" as Mr.. Tlldcn plirased
it-regardless of anything except the demand
and the need OF good goyernmenL-and wait f0I
the reforming element Of both parties To come
TO him and call on him 10 represent them IN
| ..s.l3 L.. ...y al IA.
former by cutting in and between and pr0lcnd
ing to be Democrat while no In all the time
confusing his political friends by administer
inp his Office in the interest OF the public In.
stead of party or he may halt between The
factions Of his own party. Mr.. Gildcn, will
greatness enough TO lay his bapd upon The
name of his own party and say Rest" bad
never enough to call positively u permanent
.'Hatm The trouble with him was bo had
been with them and Of them too long. Whei