The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-18
MEMPHIS APPEAL.
THURSDAY. g. FEB. Is. 1856.
TIE PREsInENT,s CAREER.

TIE PRESIDENT CAREER.
Before Congress met the country at
large, with a voice that included ex-
pressions Of many who had strenuous
ly opposed the Presidents election,
had pronounced its appreciation OF
his course. "Well done, good and
faithful servant" was the popular ex-
clamation. In proportion as Mr..
Cleveland gained the appreciation OF
the grea. mass OF the people, he drew
upon himself the bitter enmity OF
that unpatriotic class who, victims Of
selfshness and bent upon self-aggran-
dizement, never take the interests Of
the country into consideration except
in so far as those interests happen to
coincide with their own. This Glass
OF persons ridiculed the praises Law
ished upon the President, aud said:
"Wait till Congress meets then you
will zee where Mr.. Clevelands quix-
otto purity and principle will be.
Surrounded by the leaders and man
ayers and experienced controllers Of
events in Washington, he will sink
down into his proper position and do
what precedent and the will
OF influential men and the
weight OF special interests require
of him." Congress has met and Mr..
Cleveland has been fully subjected to
the test that his enemies were sure
would subdue him. How happy
thing II is for the country that he
stands to day as he stood before Con-
gress assembled, admired and APP
proved, 30 that still the verdict Of the
country is the same frank, hearty
"well DONE" With Congress as with
the country, Mr.. Cleveland's course
has been open, manly, sincere and de-
cided. Testifying to the legislative
branch entire prospect for its powers
and privileges, he has yet shown that
in his person the executive branch
shall be curtailed OF none of the duty
or dignity cor ferred upon it by the
constitution, and that he will deliver
to his successor the office he holds un-
diminished in It's high responsibilities,
shorn Of no feature which his oath OF
Office requires he should preserve.
To-day we publish from the Phila-
delphia Times review OF the
course OF Mr.. Cleveland since he
has stood at the head OF the admins
tration, aud we see him as he stood
when mayor OF city, and as when
the Governor Of a State-open,
straightforward, decided in his inten-
tions and firm in carrying them out,
ooncilialing and tolerant toward those
differing from him in opinion, but
strong in his sense OF right, and i'm
movable from an attitude OF rectitude
which no bride can reach and no
hattery cause 10 swerve. This is
speaking highly, we are aware; but
we speak advisedly and consclen-
tiously, and refer to the course OF the
President since his accession to power,
sure that IL rati6es all we say. II
Canno. be said that the President has
gained eminence because he was
Aoated to 1t by mere good fortune and
universal good will. In the language
Of a contemporary, all evil influence
has combined and made pool against
the integrity and conscientiousness
OF the President. The monopolist,
the land-stealer, the lottery swindler,
the Mormon polygamist, and
the whole horde of leeches
who seek access to public plumber
have tried all their powers to mislead,
coax, battle or outmaneuver him, de-
ceive his judgment or baflls his sense
Of justice. That formidable army of
skirmlshers, whose weapons are
blunted by the Presidents firm con-
sistency in carrying out civil service
reform, have failed in power and failed
in policy, and Mr.. Cleveland remains
master of the situation. The Repub-
licans, his patty opponents, have
watched his course with lynx eyes and
bitter jealousy. Hard it is 10 recognize
virtue in virtuous enemy, but the
Republicans have often had to make
acknowledgment that the President
has done well, and they have failed 10
efforts to prove the contrary. Mis-
takes have been pointed out, but no
underhaud dealing, no hesitation
where right and wrong were con-
cerned, no duty ignored or neglected.
Amid criticism, snares, threats, temp
tations and all the hateful resources
Of envy, hatred and malice, Mr..
Cleveland has gole on his even
course with an undemonstrative
calm energy that has raised no COM
motion, and yet that conquers and
subdues, and wins the good will and
app ause of the people. Thepromists
he made, the engagements he entered
into, the objects he made his own
when he was a candidate before the
people, he has kept, discharged, and
remained true TO- He has consequent
ly gained the confidence Of the PEG.
pie. Amid the gable OF Con gress, the
vacillations Of Supreme Courts, and
the ditturbances that occasionally oc,
cur, public confidence turns with q
confiding glance toward the White,
House, assured that there, in every
exigence, whatever mind is disturbed
and unreliable, that OF the President
is steadiatt spd that the power placed
in his hands will be used for his couu