Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-06-13
VANISHED EXPECTATIONS.

LAI lQN2.
The close observer of passing po-
lltical events finds it difficult to rec
oncile them with the promises and
expectations entertained by the
American people, prior to the last
memorable fourth of March. Cleve-
land himself, apparently out of place
with his views and ideas, is a study.
The pressure that was predicted
would be brought to bear against
his good resolutions and declaration
of principles, is more powerful and
far-reaching than was ever antici-
pated by the least interested observ-
er or the most anxious of the hum
CRY and thirsty.
Cleveland is doing the best he
can and be it much or little, the fact
becomes plainly apparent by his
determined will and purpose, that
the statesmen who surround an ex-
ecutive and the influence that ap.
proaches through the party whose
principles he is supposed to repre-
sent, are after all the shapers of his
destiny and the cause of the success
or failure of his administration. In
himself he is entirely dependent.
There he stands at this moment,
intent upon doing something of all
that was promised by 80 changer
of administration, surrounded and
pressed by party influence, now half
yielding against his will, again halt
ed IN his purpose by the mutterings
OF open revolt and rupture among
the leaders of the hungry office
seekers,-surely his position is try
ing. A Republican Senate looms
up in the distance,ready and willing
to join him in carrying out the trust
of the people as imposed upon them
jointly by the constitution, but de-
termined not to be party to the
violation Of the laws merely to graft
fly the tendency of politics.
There are many other trying cir
cumstances which the watchful eve
of the President sees and which he
feels. The great American people
were led to believe that change
was necessary that fraud and cor
rnptlon were as open as daylight
they were promised great reforms,
of abuses; an entire
change OF administrative legislation
and policy; better times, more work,
higher wages and lower prices.
Much they expected! how little is
realized? In the apportionment of
the high places, wounds were neces-
sarily made among the favorites of
The people that will never heal feel
ngs were revived that slumbere
ont too lightly hope and expecta-
Ion vanished as the mist before the
earliest beam of eastern light, and
purely political situation in reality is
,aking the place of a beautiful ideal,
something that never was and never
will be in politics. The one allah
'orbing idea from the first has been
he offices. Even in that the people
ost respect and confidence by
sham pretense in one direction and
a contrary policy in the other, cou-
pied with such palpably inconsistent
excuses and charges, so childish that
one can hardly imagine how men of
intelligence and perception can he
gulled into entertaining them for a
moment. In vain the people look
fer any actual change in law or pol
icy, or the hope of any new legisla-
ton that might characterize a Re.
publican from a Democratic admin
istration. There were no disclosures
of fraud or corruption to appease the
demands Of deceived public. Re-
form, alas is as bare as an hundred |
year-Old hobby. Tariff reform good
times, higher wages.-wheIe are
they, o where! Party is party, and
politics is politics, the world over,
and never more so than at Washing.
ton at present.