The Wilmingtonian., 1884-11-22
REFORM.
President CIeveI.nd's Opportunities.


Those best qualified to speak for the
President-elect unhesitatingly declare that a
conservative policy will be mapped out fol
the incoming administration, and that it,
observance will be adhered to with relig
ious zeal. All ornamental offices will b,
speedily abolishe :, and the federal officer:
must not devote their time to partisan tri
umphs. General Manning, who so ably
managed the interests of Governor Cleve
land at The Chicago Convention, and who
may fairly be surpassed to reflect the opin
ion of the President-elect recent gave ex
preston to those sentiments.
The requirements of the Presidency nevei
had more careful and earnest student thar
Grover Cleveland will prove The duties o
the Office never received a more dilgent aud
industrius attention than he will give them.
The scrupulous adhesion to his promises to
the people which lie showed as Mayor and
has shown as Governor he will show as
President. If one set of promises can be
said to be more binding than another, they
should be such as relate to the observance
OF all existing reforms and to the effectua-
tion OF all needed and promised reforms in
the manning and management of the general
public service and in its absolute divorce
ment from partisan dictatioD, partisan re-
wards, partisan punishments and partisan
activities. The people of this country are
resolved that the business of the General
Government shall be done on business prin-
ciples. The sooner politicians of the minor
and traditional type unde stand that, the
wiser they will be. The sooner they un-
derstani that Grover Cleveland is at one
with the people in that resolve the wiser
they will be. Politicians with any claim to
be considered statesmen are aware of the
fact already, both with regard to the people
and to the President-elect. And it may be
of assistance to curious or prophesying
souls to be assured that any conception of
reforms as good things for bats to catch
votes with and then as good things to fling
away or forget when power is obtained is
utterly foreign tc the mind of the President
elect. He is as single and sincere as he is
determined, and bis determination has never
been questioned by friend or foe.
A positive, Industrious frugal and reform
ing administration is certain. One prudent
and truly American in its policy can be re
lied on. One which will consult capacity,
honesty and loyalty to the Constitution in
its election of agents can be confidently
expected. 1t is not complimentary fact
that people, which have founded and pre-
served aid expanded the Union and made
all men free and voters, find the problems
of business service and honest elections
unsolved after nearly century of organ
lied government The solutiJn of those
problems, as related to one another as cause
and effect are, will be the purpose of the
next administration.
A Southern Democratic Senator voices
the above sentiment in a concise review of
the situation. This victory is not demo-
cratic triumph, but it is the success of the
democratic party plus the better elements of
the republicans and independents; and it is
vital that this view should not be lost sight
of. Governor Cleveland cannot st ind and
maintain himself upon the idea that only old
fashioned democracy won this race, and he
must recognize that independent and repub-
lican element which stood by him, and with
out which he would have Jared no better
than General Hancock. II Governor Cleve-
land loses sight OF this in his administration
he will be the worst swamped man alive. 1t
matters not what we may talk and think
theoretically-the country will neve con-
sent to return to the old routine and ruts of
Anti-bellum democracy.
To those who regard a political victory as
only means to secure Office we do not think
It worth whila to speak. Rut we believe
that the mass of those democratic voters
who supported Mr.. Cleveland wish and hope
te see the reform organization, composed of
themselves and the independents, solidified
and made permanently powerful for good to
the country.
The President-elect is not to be the head of
oictorious clique he will be, If he is wise
the President of us all, and, so far as party
politics go, the chief of party composed of
the conscience and patriotism Of the coun-
try, and combining within itself, as new
organization, the best elements of all the old
and effete parties.
With Cleyeland's election both the ole
parties died. The old republican party il
dead. The old democratic party is dead
But the new democratic party is fortunat,
in having added to it great mass of tn
most intelligent, the most conscientious AM
patriotic voters in the country.
The refining fire of defeat has rejuvenate'
and regenerated the democratic party, an
has rehabilitated it with vestments which
invite the criticism aud at the same tim
courts the admiration of every America
citizen. Kioe Ia RepublSque.