Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-12-02
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WOODSTOCK, Va, Nov. 26,-The Shot-
dndodh Herald, owned and edited by Sena-
tor Riddleberger, contains an editorial in
its issue Of to-day which has been read
with interest and curiosity, "a IL appears
only few days in advance Of the senn-
tors return to Washington. II is gener-
ally constructed 10 mean that the senator
does not go to Warrington with any
belligerent disposition toward President
Cleveland. His friends say that 1t is
consistent with his course regarding
nominations by the President during the
last session of Congress. Under the
heading AN Era of Good Feeling" the
article says;
president James Monroe's administra.
ton was marked by determination On the
part of old political enemies that gave II
the we'll earned title of the era OF good
feeling. President Cleyeland's admins.
tration has been harasssd by public men
III and cut oil Congress, who proclaim
political fellowship with him in party
seuHe aud yet re sent his refusal in bis
great Office to become the agent of over
jealous partisanship. Newspapers that
Etrenuously advocated President Glove
lands election arc, equally with Demo-
cratic politicians, reproachful of tho
President. Newspapers that opposed Mr..
| Cleyeland's election are meanwhile ex-
| empted from any criticism of his admin
istration, except what shall be judicial
fair, and in good temper as to its public
and official performances. The President
has been treated by his political oppo-
nents In Congress and in the press, not
supporters of his administration, with
conspicuous fairness and justice. Slight
acquaintance with the record of the Con-
gress which will terminate on the 4th of
March next, and which will end with q
greatly reduced Democratic majority in
the House and with slight gains by the
Democrats in the Senate, which is Repub-
iean by few votes, will affirm this
statement of the fair treatment the Presi-
dent has received from branch Of the
government coordinate with the Execu-
tive. Both the President and Congress
have appeared in equally good humor
and amiable purpose of promotion of the
interests of the people, the difference be-
ing on matters of opinion honestly enter
tanned on both sides.
"The President has given abundant
evidence of his political and partisan
preferences. Outside observation would
say that these evidences ought to satisfy
complaining Democrats. Republicans
and othors who opposed Mr.. Cleveland's
election are hardly competent critics Of
his quarrels with his political family.
The Presidents course, or policy, as IL Ia
sometimes called, has unquestionably
opened the way in the South TO candid
discussion of public men, and to higher
plane Of political thought than that
resting upon mere personalities and
prejudices. For that result, at least, the
President, whether conscious or uncon
scious agent, is to be greatly condemned
or perhaps,it were more accurately stated
that the fruits of his policy We're much
needed. The President doubtless knows
little of the traditions, the agencies, or o.
the personal influences in politics in thu
South, even in state so close to the Dis
trict of Columbia as Virginia. 1t is hardl,
reasonable to suppose that he should know
the issues, personal and political, that hav
grown out of the agitation of thequestiol
of our public debt, so-calIed debt We
cruelty exacted of people who neve
would have refused payment of any deb
properly accounted and demonstrated
Probably he does not know that his owl
p.rty in Virginia is absolutely committe,
by every form of as8everation, both il
its platform and from the mouths of it
most noted orators and its lcadiu
journals, to the settlement of Virginia
/ debt upon the basis framed in Legislation
by the last general assembly, in which hi
| political opponents were in majority
President Cleveland has undoubtedl
learned of the severe criticism his ad
ministration receives from Virginia Demo
Gratis. Congressman Barbour, ehairma
of the state committee, and member Q
the national committee, foTcefully voice
that feeling ON his recent return froI
Europe.
, Meanwhile President Cleveland find
no aocusers of his fidelity to his part
obligations among Virginians who di
not think that political millennium wa
+ to be wrought by his election. Anon
. his fairest and most candid critics, VIII
, deny him no praise that he has fairl
: terhtd aaj neither smother MIN Wit
d h9uayeG assurances nor assall Ailn IA
0 failing 60 crafty probably unreasonable
u demands, are Virginians who sincerel
desired his defeat two years ago. Wit
: such conditions Of public opinion as no
It prevail, and which demand throuphot
d the country fair discussion and 81
" lightened Thought President Cleyelar
= may close his official term with much
/" the general appreciation that marke
i, President Monroe'B administration as Il
era of good fealinp ~