The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-04-02
THE ADMINISTRATION.
Republicans Striving to Sow the Seeds of
Discomfort Concerning the Cabinet.

tSSpuDucanS StrivinK GO BOW tn6 SeGu6 Oh
Discomfort Concerning the Cabinet.
Some of the Republican journals are
industriously at work attempting to sow
seeds of discord and discomfort within
the Democratic party in relation to the
Cabinet appointments. They dwell
upon the fact that four of the appoint
ments must be credited to the East and
North, two to the South and one to the
Northwest, and that the Western
Democracy has not only not been rec
ognized at all, but that it has received
a rcbuke on matter of purely Western
interest, viz: by MIR. Cleveland's letter
on the silver question. The answer to
all this kind Of talk is best made by ad-
mitting the facts and denying the con-
clusion sought to be deduced therefrom.
1t is true that none of the members of
the Cabinet can strictly be classified as
representing the West, and it is true
that Mr.. Cleveland's views respecting
the coinage and free circulation of sill
yer are not exactly in accord with
Western opinion and Western interests.
1t does not follow, however, that the
Democratic party in the West is at
all disposed to quarrel with the Presi-
dent over the formation of his Cabinet
The announcement of the names was
undoubtedly followed by a feeling of
disappointment, as was the publication
of his letter on the silver question by q
feeling of disapproval. But on the one
hand it is generally recognized and ad-
mitted that the President has right to
select his Cabinet in accordance with
his own views and from among his per-
sonal friends, and men in whom he has
special contidence;. and on the other,
that he has an equal right to his own
convictions on the debatable points con-
nected with silver. The seven Cabinet
positions, no mater how allotted, need
not interfere with a fair distribution of
Federal patronage in the West, and the
Presidents views on the silver coinage
need not control the action of Congress
on the subject. Nothing has been done
of any moment against Western inter
ests. We freely admit that in our opin-
ion Indiana, Missouri, Illinois or some
distinctively Western State was much
more entitled TO a representation in the
Cabinet than Wisconsin, and that Pres
ident Cleveland's silver letter had bet
ter not been written, but this admis-
sion involves no foundation for a
quarrel, even of trifiing character,
between Western Democrats and the
new Administration. ALI sections of a
vast country can not be exactly suited
and represented in public acts, aud the
loyalty of the Western Democracy can
not be shaken merely because the first
act o. the President appears to overlook
their just claims. The Democrats of
this part of the Union were we'll aware
when they supported Mr. Cleveland for
the nomination, or when they supported
Hancock, Tilden or Greeley, that in the
event of victory at the election they
would elect a man more or less domi-
mated by Eastern influence, Eastern
ideas and associations. They supported
an Eastern man because, under the cir.
| cumstances, it seemed to be necessary
| in order-to achieve success, and they
were not deferred by the prospect that,
| if elected. he might be more or less in.
fiuenced by Eastern interests. The vic.
tory won last November represented the
| triumph of Democratic principles-a tri.
umph that will probably be unreversed
for many years. To Western Democrats i,
| brought not only satisfac ION, bat
|
the organization of the party and
strengthened all its energies and agen.
cies. and the mere fact that the Presi
dent the party elected has chosen to Sc.
lcct Cabinet member from Wisconsin
rather than from some strictly Western
State will not be allowed to darken the
hour of triumph in any way.
Republicans need not base any hopes
upon assumed Democratic jealousy OF
disappointments. The party is all
right in spirit and rganization-satis.
fed with the President it has given the
country and quite confident of holding
on to the Government through the
| terms of half dozen administrations
By the time the Democratic party ac
complishes its mission and closes it.
great work of reform, Republicanism
in party sense, will be but reminis
cence.-St. Louis Republican.