The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-04
cLEvBLAND,s STRENGTH AND ABILITY.

CLEVELAND'S STRENGTH AND ABILITY
A good deal is said about Grover Cleveland's
strength as a candidate. In order to show
what this strength is, we collate a number of
paragraphs, all taken from the editorial col
umns of leading Democratic and independent
newspapers, bearing upon this question, as
well as expressions from leading members of
the Democratic party. The collection, taken
together, makes a neat little political hand
book.
The New York Sun, before the Chicago CON
~vention, said:
t1n 1884 it is again proposed to nominate a
candidate for the purpose of securing what is
now called the independent Republican vote,
and Grover Cleveland, a man not qualified to
be President, and himself an extreme indie
pendent, though a Democrat in name, has been
picked out for this purpose. If Mr.. Cleveland
should finally come forth as the candidate of
the Chicago convention, he will appear upon
the stage bearing the mark of destiny, and
that destiny will be defeat.
The Brooklyn Eagle said:
ttOur esteemed contemporary, the Herald,
declares that twenty Democratic States that
never heard of the ~fYe-cent fare bill may want
Governor Cleveland for a candidate. That is
not improbable. = = But the question
is, would the twenty Democratic States want
him for a candidate at the risk of losing the
votes Of so, 900 OF 10000 workingmen Of New
York city,"
The Rochester Union said:
taThe veto of the fve-cent-fare bill was
against and directly in the teeth of constitu-
tional principle and public policy.
There is not an Anti-monopolist-there is not
a true Democrat in the United States who can
approve of that veto and doctrine, or sup
port for public Office any man who approve OF
them"
The New York Sun further said:
Cleveland is deservedly a weak candidate
among the Democrats, because he has followed
his own selfish purposes by undertaking to
rule without regard to the party which made
him Governor; and all the Republican kickers
in the world could not make up for the
Democratic votes he might lose if he were a
candidate
The Albany Times said:
Though the independent Republicans may
prefer him, his nomination would be so dis
tasteful to a large portion Of his own party
that he could not hold the entire Demo
cratic vote, without which it would be hope
less to attempt to carry New York against
50 formidable a Republican candidate as Mr..
Blaine
What some of the leading Irish newspapers
Of the country think Of him may be judged
from the following expressions. The New
York Irish World says:
HDo the Democratic managers and wire
pullers of New York suppose that Governor
Cleveland's veto of the fve-cent-fare bill is
either forgotten or forgiven by the Democrat
ic ~workingmen of New York city, whose votes
will have to be relied on to carry the State of
New York for the Democracy next November
Bad as the veto was in itself, the principle on
which it was based was still worse"
The Boston Pilot says:
Cleveland represents the narrowest and
most selfish class in American social and pub
lie life. He is of those who distrust the
common people. He advises only with the
wealthy and the conseryers of wealth. = =
The workingmen Of his own State dislike and
distrust him, and will not vote for him. He
knows nothing of important public life or
men. He has not single quality large enough
to fit him for the presidency Of the United
States"
What some of the leading Democrats and
representative Irishmen think of Governor
Cleveland may be judged from the following
collection of expressions:
August Belmont: Cleyeland's nomination
means Blaine's election.
IN. B. Gallagher, president Land League:
| would cut off my right hand before would
vote for Cleveland. He will get few votes
from among the Land Leaguers. He is an
aristocrat, and a friend Of monopolists and
bondholders. The Irish people will prefer
Blaine to Cleveland.
James Redpath: / voted for Cleveland
for Governor two years ago. He is the first
Democrat ever voted for. He has acted in
such a way since he has been Governor as to
change the good opinion | had Of him. He
has totally disappointed me. will not sup
port or vote for him if he is nominated. /
prefer Blaine to Cleveland a thousand times.
The editor of the Tablet: AS between
Cleveland and Blaine, the majority Of the Irish
people | nave recently met are outspoken for
Blaine. Cleveland is looked upon as a friend
Of big corporations and monopolies. The
working people do not take much stockin him
as a champion of the Irish.
James a. McMaster, editor Freeman's
Journal: Governor Cleveland has not made a
very good record. = Y He would be disastrous
candidate of the Democratic party for Presi-
dent. Mr.. Cleveland favors a concentration
Of power, and thousands and thousands Of
Democrats will refuse to support him if nomi-
mated. He has no show OF carrying this State
against James g. Blaine.
DR.. Munford, of Missouri; His veto of
the fve-cent railroad fare bill has turned the
vote of thousands Of workingmen against
Cleveland. He is a hazardous man for the
party to fool with. Idon't think that he can
carry New York city, or even Buffalo.
John Kelly: have had my say. The
Democratic party goes into the presidential
fight beaten. It is their own fault.
Mr.. Hobbs, secretary Washington Assem-
bly. Knights of Labor: So far az have