New-York tribune., 1885-03-05
PRESIDENT CLETELAND.


II would be easv to dismiss the Inaugural
address of President Cleveland with smile at
its superabun dance of agreeable commonplaces.
In some respects it does indeed SOUND as IL
some Young student, of good natural Impulses
had been looking into the subject Oh govern
ment little. in order to write an essay upon 1t,
and had put down his thoughts. lie Is IN 1aVor
of al the virtues, and hopeful that all the
vices may at once be abandoned. 1t mas Deeh
remarked before, we believe, that govern
ment by the people is a blessing, ana that lhe
Constitution was cOnsecrated by the prayers
and patriotic devotion of the fathers, ana IL Is
pleasing to find that the new President does
not dissent from the prevailing opinion OH
these particulars. 1t has also been SAID more
than once that a spirit OF amity ana mutuai
concession should prevail and we should DE
sorry TO hear that the President did not propose
to be guided by just construction OF the Con-
stitution or to carefully observe the distinction
between the powers granted TO the feoera'
Covernment and those reserved To the States
or to the people. Presidents generally agree in
that purpose. though not always in their
understanding of the Constitution or It's dis
tribution of powers.
But we prefer to assume that MIR. Cleveland
is an earnest and sincere man, IN the utterahce
of phrases which, in the mouths OF many,
would have no meaning whatever. we prefer
TO trust that his inaugural address, If it sug-
gests that he has not yet arrived at dchnite ana
clear ideas on many subjects may still honestly
disclose the tendency of his mind. lie mas
shown himself sincere and earnest in the matter
of silver coinage, and faithful to his beliefs.
We prefer to accept the declarations OF his
inaugural as assurances of purpose not lightly
formed. so far as it has been formed at all, and
by which he means to abide.
He declares that Civil Service reform should
he in good faith enforced" and that Z" merit
shall be recognized instead of party sub
seryiency or the surrender of honest belief" If
he acts upon the aims here expressed. he Will
be the first Democratic President to serve the
country rather than party, and will thus far
deserve the honor and the support of all good
citizens. He cannot be unaware that the effort
to do so will not only bring him into conflict
with the great majority of his party, but will
make him more profoundly detested by most
Democratic workers than any Republican rreSi-
dent for a quarter of a century. But his declar-
alton, if made intelieently. as we are bound TO
assume that it is commits him to uncomproms-
|
and now rules the party by which he was
elected
Not less clearly does his declaration on the
tariff question, if construed in the same manner,
IA the deliberate utterance of an intelligent
man, commit him to oppose the schemes OF four-
| ffths of his party. For he declares that III
relieving the people from unnecessary taxation
government shOnld shave due regard to the
interests of capital invested and workingmen
employed in American industries" Fidelity to
this principle will require him to veto such
measure as the Morrison bill. for which most OF
the Democrats in the House voted. On the
| silver question he says nothing; 1T Is right To
| infer that he considers himself sufficiently
committed by the explicit language OF the e1
celent letter already published. Although his
friends caused the matter to be submitted to
Congress in the most bunglng and objection
able form, we have right to assume that he
will do what he can to avert the danger which
his letter pointed out so plainly. Here, again,
he will conflict with most of his party. But
while he does this, he will have the hearty sup
port of those who care for the honor and welfare
of the country, and know what these require.
Strict Limitation OF public expenditures
promised insincerely by every politician, vii
bring President Cleveland into sharp conflict
with the hungry jobbers of his party, if he tries
to act upon that principle In good faith. Hl'
declarations on foreign relations. if not empty
and unmeaning platitudes, commit him to resist
to the utmost the schemes OF territorial az
grandizement which have ever been dear tt
Democratic hearts. Unqualifi ed hostility u
polygamy, if faithfully shown by the President
in the enforcement of laws, will bring down
upon him the curses of Mormons who earnestly
desired his election. Above all, the very honor
able declarations of the inaugural in regard t.
the protection of the freedmen In their rights
If carried into practical effect by the President
in the enforcement of United States laws, viii
put an end to the great conspiracy against free
government by which two members of hi'
probable Cabinet, MIR. Lamar and Mr.. Garland
4 were lifted to the Senate, and by which Mr.
Cleveland himself was made President.
Are we to believe that on such and so many
vital matters President Cleveland will have
the courage, the manliness and the capacity t.
confront and resist the prevailing tendencies o
his partyf Let us at least hope SO, and assure
him of the profound gratitude of all patriotic
citizens if he enters with stout heart upon tina
thorny path.