Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-14
Rarard and Cleveland.

Democrats OF local and national prOmi-
nence are expressing their opinion pretty
freely respecting the merits Of the various
candidates for the Democratic Presiden-
tial nomination. Fitness and availability
are the qualities that are discussed. Bay
ard appears TO be the favorite Of those who
think that the party should adopt plat
form which declares squarely, without
any reservations or concessions whatever.
for the principles which the party has
been advocating for years. aud nomi-
nate men whose regulations and records
are without blot OF a stain. Cleveland
appears 20 be the favOrIte Of those who
want a sound platform and clean candi-
dates, but who think availability should
be considered above everything else.
With them the first question is, who can
carry New York; and, naturally, they
look 10 New York politicians to an
swer that question. OF course, New York
men favor a New York candidate. But
in giving so much attention to ayailabili-
tx is there not danger Of making very
grave mistaken Is it so certain that New
York can furnish the strongest candidateE
The necessity for carrying New York is
admitted. But there may be reasons why
a candidate from another State would
stand a better chance OF carrying it.
than home candidate would. From time
immemorial there have been faction fights
in the Democratic party there. 1t has
been said that Cleveland cannot carry the
State because he has incurred the hostili-
ty Of Tammany by some of his acts as
| Governor. This may be only idle talk,
/ but it is sufficient to justify the
/ party, at a time like this, when so much
/ depends upon making no mistakes, in
acting calmly and carefully, and in &C
/ cepting nothing as settled except upon
the most complete evidence. We have
/ not a word to say against Cleveland. He
has not a large experience in public al
fairs. but he has made an admirable Gov
ernor. His effort has been to raise the
standards Of his party, and TO purify the
state Government. Reforms have found
| him an earnest friend.
But if there Is a doubt whether Cleve-
land can carry New York, there is none
that Bayard can, provided any Democrat
can carry it. What the Democratic party
I wants-what the great mass of the people
wants-is an honest gentleman and
statesman at the head Of the nation. The
pencil ofthe cartOonist can find nothing in
| Bayard's record which can be used to his
/ disadvantage. His twenty years of pub
I lie service will bear exposure to the sun
light Of truth. Men of the opposite party,
/ who want a safe, honest and economical
/ administration Of the government, would
vote for him. All New Workers, who would
vote for a New York candidate. would
/ vote for him: and many others, perhaps,
who. for various reasons, would not vote
/ for a New York candidate. His Dover
speech. il is thought by some, would hurt
/ him in tie West, where there is very
/ strong ex-soldier sentiment. He does not
think so. and some of the wisest men OF
his party do not think so. The truth Is,
a very erroneous idea respecting the
] speech prevails. To correct that idea his
friends are spreading the speech broad
! cast over the country. Let the conven-
tiou he careful not to be led by few self
seeking politicians. Let it choose, after
viewing the whole field, the man who
seems to come nearest to satisfying the
conscience and common sense of the peo-
ple. and victory is certain.