Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-10-07
ssRsap aEr ol.ArsG4rp.
Whist ne Scholarly GoldSvin smith
Thinks III Him.

Mdcm,lAn'b Magazine.
went to the White House on the even
ing of the reception, not only TO see
unique ceremony, but TO see President
Cleveland. desired TO look upon the
face Of President Cleveland more than
had desired TO look upon the face Of any
American statesman since Lincoln. II is,
rs might be expected, q face full of
strength and frmness. So happy an
event, Iapprehend, as this Presidents cleo
ton has not for long time taken place
in the United States-I may say on the
continent, for the good influence Of
triumph Of public probity extended even
10 Canada. Mr.. Cleveland was not one OF
the available mann of whom the country
had such bitter experience in the persons
Of Polk and Buchanan nor had he AZ
tanned party prominence by stump oratory
or the nrts of demGgogue. Ia rhetoric,
indeed, no seems 10 Ire rather deficient.
He had shown himself worthy 10 govern
the nation by his conduct as governor Of
the state of New York. Fills bearing dur
ing the campaign, especially the manly
frankness with which he met the charge
brought against him on account of the
sins of his youth, waH o most favorable
omen of his future conduct. II excited
strong feeling in his favor even in
Canada, where generally little interest is
felt in the politics OF the United States
He is now treading, as il seems to me,
with Il firm and resolute step, and arduous
path of ciyil-serTice reform. Too much
must not be exacted of him. II cannot
fairly be expected that he shall cast of
party ties or disregard party obligations
| honor, as we'll as necessity, forbids him.
The scale, il is true, was turned in his
favor by the Independent Republicans,
who, to use the American phrase, bolted
their party ticket but he received his
nomination from the Democrats, and
owed his election mainly 10 them The
Independent Republicanst themselves have
not repudiated party, though they will
hardly get back into the lines. BY his
| loyalty to reform President Cleveland has
| already incurred the hatred of Tammany
and Of all the corrupt. On the other hand
he has trust, won the hearts and will
reoeiye the support of all who care less
for any party than for the country.
| The man who in reality had most to do
with the election of President Cleveland
is Mr.. George w. Curtis, the editor of
| HdyTe1'S Weekly. Mr.. Curtis is excluded
from Congress by the political locaiism
into which the Americans have unhappily
fallen. he cannot be elected for any
district but that in which he lives, and in
that district the other party has the
majority. But he ia the practical leader
of the Independent Republican PARTY,
which was determined mainly by his
advice 10 east patriotic vote in favor of
Cleveland. He has also been the most
Jealous and effective advocate OF civil
service reform Without place in the
legislature or the administration, he has
yet been one Of the most influential as
we'll rs one of the most upright and
wisest of American statesmen. The ex.
istence of men of this stamp in journal
ism, aud of men like Mr. W. M. Forbes
of Boston, who, without going into
politics, take an account and patriotic in.
terest in public affairs, must be reck
oned among the saving influences o
American democracy.