The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-11-17
CIeveIand ana Iho election.

COmmOn CAlumbiabOYs.
Cleveland and Iho Election.
Baltimore Sun The Hon. John s.
Blrhour and Mr.. Henry Waiterson,
both leaders OF opinion in their re-.
epective States, have Just returned
ftom abroad with very definite ideas
as to the CAUSE OF Democratic apathy
in the recent Congressional elections.
Their ideas, 1t appears, are in pretty
close accord. Both express the belief
that the Democratic masses are dis
piited by the retention in office under
Mr.. Cleveland of 10 many Repubi-
cans, The popular conception OF the
reform for which Democrats yeted in
1884 is that 1t consists mainly in put.
ting better men, animated by better
principles, into the places of the men
who were in Office that year. That
Republicans, or Democrats with Re-
publican principles, should be held
good enough TO fill ofiiceI under
Democratic Administration excites in
the popular mind only amszsment
and disgust. As respects places COW
cred by the civil service law, the
President, 1t is conceded, had no op.
tioH, bat there are 100, 900 other places
in which Democrats should have
been more speedily installed az being
the better fitted by their political opin-
ions toserve the interests of the people.
Yet many Republicans even now, in
the second year Of the Cleveland ad-
ministration, are retained in positions
OF influence, and not few have been
appointed 10 Offices Of the frat i'm
poriauce. This, 1t ia commended, is I'M
Ineligible to the average voter, whose
politics is largely personal, and takes
little account Of nice theories OF Rd-
ministration. "The D 4moorats in Vir-
ginia, said Mr.. Barbour in his speech
Thursday evening, "have not received
such encouragement a. they deserved.
The men who carried the a " of the |
party aud performed the campaign
work ia 1884 have not been recog
niEed." Indifference to party inter
ests and inactivity in advancing the |
party's principles are the serious
faults, Vt is i1tmated, of the present
administration. "When the Demo.
cratic party puts men in Office" Mr..
Barbour stoutly maintains, "they
should consider the interests OF the
party, and should do the bidding OF
that party without fear or trembling.
There ara reasons why our people are
unhappy. | understand why they
complain. l have experienced some
disappointments myself" The mug.
wump is having too much influence
with Mr.. Cleveland, and the
Democrat too little. Such is Mr..
BaTbour's opinion in brief, as to the
cause OF the apathy that has lost Viz
ginia to the Democratic party. Mr..
Watterson goes more into detail. The
President, he holds, should hereafter
pursue q more positive course. He
must "tske the party, through it's ac-
credited leaders, into his confidence;
abandon the theory that personal in
terest in political events is dishon.
esty; conhde in the representative
character of pablo men; and, finally,
Iorce the drill and the fighting by the
assertion OF an administration policy
IN all the great issues in harmony
with Democratic traditions and in
'tincts." The administration must
not decline to exercise it's influence to
discipline Tecalcltrants, but must aid
The party TO carry into effect purposes
announced in the National Democrat
&C platform. ITO save itself from de-
''ruction," says Mr.. Wa,terson, de.
IcendinR TO particulars, "the Demo-
} attic party must meet the tariff issue
honestly, and substitute for the hum
Dug OF civil service reform the actuali-
Y OF q clean aud efficient administra-
lion OF the government upon popular
Democratic principles. The Pfesi.
lent is honest in his purposes,
)ut mistaken in his methods, F.
md at times unfortunate in
lis instruments Mr. Morrisons de-
eat signifies nothing, in Mr.. Waiter
on's opiAion, but the success OF a
Tot, few proteCtionists having EN-. 1
Iloyed the profits they wiring out of {
he people to disoredit the cause of re-
orm through the defeat Of the lead [
rs. The Signs OF the times indicate !
he extension OF lower tariff ideas.
.nch are the views OF two leading
)emocrats-views that will receive !
nuch attention in the South. Wheth. 1
T they will have the effect ultimately q
I infusing a sturdier party spirit into 4
he administration is open to doubt. U
congressman afflicted with cons itu-
nts more numerous than the offices
the Presidents disposal must count =
pom troubled existence. The Ques.
on discussed with 80 much feeling by i
ne Virginia and Kentucky statesmen &
a. probably two sides, aud the Presi- q
ant haa vet IN atata d IL na,a :,