Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-28
wEDNEsDAY..JANUARY %, 1855.
Dividing the Democratic Party.

any feature Of any question in which he
feels an interest. He is afraid that no.
body else will present the arguments
which occur TO his mind. He is appre-
hensive that the public will come to a
wrong conclusion before he can be heard
If he waits a single day before joining in
the fray, or delays that long the presenta-
Gon of his convincing reasons for the
faith that is in him. Mr.. WATTERsoN
seems TO be one Of these restless NOR
tails. He cannot wait until Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND is insugurated for an authorize
tive exposition Of the new Presidents
policy. nor for statement Of his creed
rs Democrat, nor for his behavior as
public officer, but has already spoken
of Mr.. CLEVELAND as follows:
Although in outward appearance a
man Of steady nerve and equal temper,
the President-elect, to judge by the
representation of those around about
him, is impatient 10 suggestion, and
particularly FESTIVE under newspaper
criticism and counsel. Thoughtful per-
sons will read with some misgiving the
statement which comes to us from Al
bany, and from sources apparently close
TO the man who is indeed the observed
Of all observers, that the Governor has
q will Of his own, and may be always
counted on to do the unexpected and
when his plans are known will sur
prise the country Recent
events leave no room to doubt that
small but determined faction of self
styled Democrats, led by Senator Jo-
seph L. Brown, of Georgia, and Mr..
Sam. Randall, of Philadelphia, is mo-
wing heaven and earth to impress itself
upon the new Administration.
Surely every Virginia Democrat must
see that whatever is done elsewhere,
the Democrats Of this State cannot af-
ford to read out Of their party either
the Randallites or the Carlisleites. But
we may 60 further and make the same
remark as to the National Democratic
party. And we are glad to know that
the New York World, with its list of
more than one hundred thousand
subscribers, these residing in all
the States Of the Union, ex-
crts its influence in the direction of
peace and harmony. 1t is opposed to
all efforts TO divide the Democratic
party upon the tariff question, or to
make either free trade, or fair trade, or
protection, the Shibboleth of that party.
Commenting upon the article of which
the above-quoted extract is portion,
our New York contemporary says;
1.-THE criticisms Of the President
elect in which Mr.. Watterson INDUCES
are neither kindly nor justified by truth.
Mr.. Cleveland is peculiarly calm, dis
passionate, patient man, eager to re-
ceive information and never averse to
Just criticism. His earnest, truthful
nature reyolts against wilful misrepre-
sentation. But he constantly seeks to
gain knowledge and he respects public
opinion. At the same time, Mr.. Wat
terson or any other Democrat who i'm
Ia D.op,1ant alnnt hoe %
a will of his own will find himself led
into I'm egregious error.
"There is no doubt about Mr.. Cleve-
lands position in regard to revenue
matters. lie stands where the party
stands--on the solid ground of revenue
reform, honest taxation, and no sur
plus
"Mr. Cleveland is too strong-headed
and too honest-hearted not to know that
Democrats may honestly differ in regard
to the best method Of carrying these
principles into practice. lie knows that
the interests of Kentucky, where they
manufacture whiSkey and horses, are
different from those Of Connecticut, or
New Jersey, or New York. He is SEN
sible enough to be aware that the con-
flicting views to which such differences
lead must be settled by reason and con-
cession, and not by blind, incorporate
abuse.
"The plain fact is that, recognizing
how divergent are the interests affected
by tariff, and how greatly the abilities
Of the most experienced statesmen have
been taxed to harmonize such differences,
even in countries where they are tritling
in number and violence as compared
with our own, We are willing to receive
every sensible Democrats views with
courtesy, to listen TO all arguments
with patience, and to do our best to re-
concile conflicting views and decide
upon . wise and practical medium be-
tween them.
"We wish that our esteemed but
violent Kentucky friends would adopt a
similar course. We want revenue re-
form. We want tariff reform. We
want decreased and honest taxation.
But we also, and above all, want Demo-
cratic harmony.
"Surely the way to secure any or all
Of these is not by Incorporate abuse,
misrepresentation, and wild yell Of
sTraitor T. raised against every Demo-
crat who does not think one S particular
way Of attaining them the best"
That language indicates an admirable
spirit. II says in words that cannot
be improved upon, ave are willing to
receive every sensible Democrats views
With courtesy, TO listen to all argu-
psnts with patience, snd to do our best
10 reconcile conflicting views and de-
ode upon . wise and practical medium
between them" Why cannot all good
Democrats manifest like spirit Of con-