New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-09-02
MR. cLETEL4YD 4 FREE TRADER.

MR.. CLEVELAND 1 FREE TRADER.
II is not surprising that the letter of Mr.. Nell
son, printed in The Boston Herdld attracts
much attention. 1t meets very conciusNey
question upon which great many Democrats
are much exercised. To understand Its ehect II
is necessary to have in mind the peculiar course
which the Democrats have taken. MI. ClcVe-
land was dominated in great part because, Whne
his position was privately known to the prln-
cinal free trade managers, he had no pubic
record. and it was assumed that no conclusive
evidence of his position could be obtained.
True. il was sufficient for most reasonable men
TO know that such conspicuous advocates OF
free trade as Mr.. Curtis, Mr.. Schuz, Mr.
Beecher. Professor Sumner and Professor Perry
had zcalously advocated his nomination. There
was also letter from Professor Perry, stating
that of his personal knowledge Governor Glove
land WAS in full sympathy with the free trade
Democratic majority in the House Ihese man
ifestations. however, were seen some time before
the convention, when it was supposed ana III
the free trade journals of the East loudly
boosted, that the tariff would be the man Issue
of the canvass Oh the part OF the Democrats.
Later III the canvass the Democrats became
afraid of their own convictions. IDeN en-
deavored to dodge the tariff question, to raise
a false issue, and to secure practical Victory
of free trade ideas, while cOnccaling as far as
possible the opinions of their candidate. But
this course has not been satisfactory to come oil
the most prominent Democratic organs. me
PhilddeIDhiq Record. for example, has been blaz-
ing away most furiousy on the theory that the
Democratic National Committee is incompetent
and unworthy because it does not manfulIy APP
peal to public opinion on the tariff question.
That paper, perhaps, believe, that Mr.. Randalis
npculiar views would be sustained by the cOuh
ty. Tie Louisville COUier-JoWTGt also has
made quite as much fuss from the opposite eN-
IRENE 1t has said mauy times, in elect that
the Democrats are doomed because they have
not the courage of their convictions, and that
cowarlcc never could win Il victory. The
Boston Herald, Il sO-callcd Independent paper
having close relations with many of those per-
sons about Boston who conceive that free trade
is the chief end of man, has more than once
shown a wish to force the Democratic party into
a more decent and manly position. This Is the
journal which prints the letter from Speaker
Carlisc's private secretary. Mr.. Henry l.. Mel
son. There could be no higher authority, be-
cause Governor Clevelands correspondence
with Speaker Carlisle and with members OF Con-
gress in aid of Mr. Carlisle's views must nave
been fully known to the Speakers private Sec
rotary, and is definitely mentioned by nm as
the authority for his statement No doubt ne
speaks with the permission aud 1t the desire OF
Sneaker Carlisle himself, who Is in sympathy
with the Kentucky opinion rs to the conduct ol
the Democratic campaign, and Is altogether too
much of a man 10 have. any respect Tor the
shutting and lodging tTicIstcrs VINO are en-
deayOring to conduct the campaign at the East.
Under these circumstances MI. Nelson's dec
laration has great weight. He states that there
" is no doubt of Mr.. Clcyellnd's position, and
abe is as thoroughly in earnest III the cause OF
! "revenue reform as his friend Mr.. Dorshelner
I'm the contest in Congress last winter he stood
(" with Carlisle and Morrison, and against Ran
"dall. 1t is within my personal knowledge that
" he wrote letters to New York members Of Con-
" gress urging them to vote with Mr.. Morrison
both on the question of consideration and on
"the motion to strike out the cnacting clause
of the Morrison bill At least one vote and
@perhaps more were gained for the bill by these
"letters" This is matter of which Mr.. Nelson
would necessarily have knowledge. He goes
on to assert that Mr.. Cleveland " is as aggressive
against protection as any of the men who made
" MI. carlisle speaker II Is h''i"iJ Poo't" '
so emphatic a statement as this would be made
without Mr. Carlisles assent or that 1t would
be made with his assent, except for dell
mite and very aggressive purpose 1t seems safe
to assume that Mr.. Carlisle, Mr.. WatterSon and
the other free trade leaders have become con-
WINGED that Cleveland is doomed to over
whelming defeat, if his canvass is continued on
the evasive and dishonest plan chosen by his
committee. They have determined, therefore,
that they will not be both defeated and dis
graced, and that the candidate shall be forced
into position which, in their Judgment, will
give him a better chance of success, and which
i'll any case will make their position, whether IN
defeat or victory, more manly and honorable.