The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-21
MIR. CLEyELANUs LETTER.
How 1t Is Regarded by Some Of the Princi-
pal Newspapers of the Country
An uNroRruNArn pRopucr1oN.

AN UNFORTUNATE PRODUCTION.
New York sun.
Gov Cleveland has the merit Of comparative
brevity but no other that we can discern. He
thinks the working classes ought to be protected,
and he indites few platitudes that are htted 10
any season. VIII this spiritless and Intellectual
writing, the feeblest and most unstatesmanltke
document that like occasion in our history mas
ever inspired; will it dispel the feeling OF dlsor-
ganization which is abroad, and allay the doubts
and discords that rend the Democratic party! Is
there anything in it that will gather to Grover
Cleveland the strength of that party, reconcile
its factions and carry it to victory in this memoir
able contest2 We think not In letters of great
pith and moment the manner is commonly OF
small account compared with the matter But
Grover Cleveland's letter of acceptance is, from
every point of view, an unfortunate production.
THE IGNORING OF THE TARIFF.
louisville Commercial.
The result of that omission will probably be
that the Republican press of the country will
come clamoring from every point of the com
pass, attacking him for his omission, and that
the tariff question will be forced as the issue
We regard Governor Cleveland's failure to speak
on this subject as grave mistake though 1t is
true that his party platform ON that point is so
obscure and evidently tricky that it would have
been positive relief to him to be able to say
what ne wanted to do aboutit in some foreign
on profane language. The omission we think
grave mistake, because the thinking people of
vulgar and loathsome scandals that have been
dragged out are but the scum on today's water
tomorrow they will be forgotten, and the real
questions of Importance will be discussed. What
will the Democracy be able to say when the Re
publican orators from every stump in the land
demand Mr.. Clevelands tariff opinions? It seems
like positive Sinking for a candidate to discuss
local option questions and ignore the tariff.
A oREDITABLE soHooLBoY PERFORMANCE.
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
So far as we have read it. it seems to be as
elementary as political textbook for children
in primary department 1t opens with the
remarkable statement, however, that, having
carefully considered the platform adopted at
Chicago he considers it SO s'plain statement of
Democratic faith and principles" as to need no
supplement or explanation This when half the
world is puzzled to make any meaning out of it
and with Gen. Buffers explanation how this
thing of shreds and patches came to be put
together by men who could not agree on single
proposition! 1t will be discouraging to those
Democrats who expected such manifestation
of craftsmanship as would dazzle the world and
challenge the admiration of mankind. 1t would
be fairly creditable schoolboy performance
and it is nothing more
GREAT CURIOSITY.
st. Louis Globe Democrat.
He leaves the tariff local issue, Hancock
and Greeley fashion, for settlement in the con
gressional districts. It question, perhaps
whether this course promises more gain or loss.
Governor Cleveland or, rather, his advisers,
doubtless thought it would be safer to run the
risk of attacks for saying nothing than to en-
counter the certainty of blasts from one side or
the other in consequence of saying either one
thing or another Politically speaking, perhaps
they are right But Presidential candidates
letter of acceptance, at the beginning of cam
paign following two years of constant tariff agi-
tation, without sentence or word upon the
subject, is a curiosity the like of which this
country has never Seen
BREvITY MS ONLY MERIT
New York Star fJohn Kelly's Paper)
Mr.. Cleveland's letter is exceedingly digniied
and cautious to the verge of timidity. After
necessarily hasty perusai of it before going to
press, we can not recall that it has a solitary
good word to say for the Democratic party, or
even mention of that historic organization be-
yond passing allusion to the platform as
plain statement of the Democratic faith. The
platitudes relating to labor are elaborate, but
vague and guarded In fact, the only matters
frankly discussed are sumptuary laws, internal
improvements and civil service. There is not
word about the tariff and the land -grabbers. On
the score of brevity but not of lucidity or COM
prehensiveness, the letter is to be commended.
SMALL LETTER FROM A SMALL MAN.
New York Tribune
There is nothing in Mr. Clevelands brief let
ter of acceptance to show why it should have
been kept back so long nor anything to justify
its final publication except as mere forinality.
point worth noticing is the assertion that he
does not believe in the reelection of the Presi-
dent. This really need not have troubled Mr..
Cleveland, for he will never get first cleo
ton to that place. Then follow soft, sweet in
definite words for the workingmen which are a
repetition Of the promises made them when he
was elected Governor All in all it is very
small letter by very small man.
SHORT BECAUSE BE HAD LITTLE TO SAY.
Chicago Inter Ocean,
The letter makes no pretense of discussing ma
tional questions Mr. Cleveland swallows the
platform and throws few sugar-p lums to doubt
full voters. The letter adds nothing to the repu
tation of the man and nothing to the strength of
his party. 1t cannot be satisfactory to the indie
pendents and it will not blind laboring classes
to the main issues. Butler wrote long letter
because he had good deal to say. Cleveland
wrote short one because he had little to say.
The struggle in the Democratic ranks is between
these two Demoerats--the man with redundant
ideas of his own and the man dealing only in
the worn platitudes of his party.