The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-08-21
Gov. Cleveland's Letter.

Day before yesterday the Democratic par
ty,. least, and to some extent members of
other parties, had an expectation that Gov
ernor Cleveland's letter of acceptance would
be an able and interesting contribution to
the political literature of the campaign.
That expectation is gone and the place it
filed is now vacuum. 1t is fair to say
that the letter will surprise he country; but
1t is kind of surprise like that which oc.
ours when an inflated balloon collapses, and
we discover suddenly that it has no body
or solidity. The only filing about the letter
that all men unite in commencing is its
comparative brevity. To be sure it night
have been longer; but it could not have been
duller. The rule is, that when a man has
nothing to say he should say nothing. This
rule Governor Cleveland has transgressed
by his Comparatively brief' letter.
From the beginning to the end of its one
thousand words there is not fresh or
bright Idea, nor even an expression which
charms by its felicity. 1t is ordinary all
through. The most important issues of the
til1O lCOCAfO bO COhSAuCAdeiol dllQ tHC HAT
ters which are considered are treated with
no uncommon intelligence or vigor. 1t is
absolutely spiritless. The suspicion is not
unreasonable that the late revelation of his
moral iDfrmity has 30 overwhelmed him with
shame that he has lost bis nerve. Nobody,
unless he desires to abuse Mr.. Tilden, will
repeat the report that he had anything TO do
with the matter or the form of The letter.
At last accounts Mr. Tilden was in fall
possession of his faculties.
Perhaps we ought to make an exception
to one remark in the preceding paragraph
for there is one idea which the boys would
call decidedly 'fresh.' 1t is that candidate
for President is not called upon to define
his views because he will have nothing to
do with determining what the laws shall be,
but is concerned only with executing them.
We believe that the President is clo he'd by
the constitution with an effectual veto upon
all legislation unless two thirds of each
House of Congress insist upon its passage.
The Presidents Office is not purely admin
stratiye in any sense which makes his per-
sonal views on matters Of public policy of no
account, and Governor Cleveland shows
that be entertains false notions of the sta
ton to which he sspires when he 80 limits
it.
Upon the great and critical questions
which agitate the public mind Governor
Cleveland does not trust himself to any indi-
vidual expressions. He approves of the
platform of the national convention in all
its parts, and instead OF venturing to
set forth his personal understanding of its
involved and obscure meaning be takes the
course, doubtless much safer for him, of de-
caring that it is so clear and plain that
nothing need be said. This leaves Mr.. Ran
dali and Mr.. Morrison and their respective
followings free to suppose that he agrees
with the Interpretation of each. There is a
little commonplace essay about what consti-
tutes government of the people, and some
commonplace platituaes having the flavor of
taffy, abont the rights and wants of the
working men. There is also a declaration in
| favor of the ene-term principle for Presi-
dents; but he neglects to give the pledge
as to himself which Mr.. Hayes gave when a
candidate and which would have made his de-
claration seem earnest.
The effect of this weak, evasiye, uninter-
esting letter will be discouragipg. His most
devoted friends cannot pretend thatft gives
evidence of superior intelligence or superior
power. 1t signally fails to confirm, or to jas
tify to the public which does not know him,
the favorable opinion of his qualifications
for the chief magistracy which his partial adj
mirers have wanted. He had the oppor-
tunity to vindicate their judgment and to
make strong impression upon the country,
and he has not done either. The letter will
be one of the least effective of campaign
| documents. 1t does net instruct, it does
not please, it does rot excite, it does not
convince, il does not warm. 1t is simply
disappointing and unsatisfactory.