The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1888-07-05
THE COUNTRY LIKES CLEVELAND.
The Republicans Must Reckon With
This Fact..A Massachusetts View.

Aho hopuullChils MUST reckon WIN
This Fact..A Massachusetts, View.
From the Springfield Republican, Rep.
In party sense the nomination is
perhaps the shrewdest that could
have been made. There would have
been q certain fitness in the choice OF
Blaine had not his own previous words
forbidden him to accept with decency
for Blaine is the dominating person
al influence in the party and the au-
thor OF its avowed policy. But after
his two letters his nomination would
have so intensified the personal OBJ
jections which defeated him before
that the party would have added a
very heavy risk to the burdens under
which it was already staggering.
The issues are now made up, and
how do they stand? The choice is to
be made, apparently, on two questions
the tariff and the general conduct Of
the administration. On the one side,
Cleveland's administrative record
with the prospect it offers in case of q
second term on the other side, the
degree OF ability, honesty and efficien.
cy to be expected from Harrison with
the Republican behind him. On the
one side, a reduction of the tariff
about as proposed in the Mills bill-say
an average Of 10 per cent ON the other
side, the maintenance or advance Of
the tariff. These two points, we think
are what is really involved. The sec.
tionala issue may be appealed to, but
we trust it will be left mainly in the
background.
The Republican party has turned
its back on its own record, disregard
ed the palpable and crying needs O
the situation, and allied itself with Q
compact moneyed interest as against
the people at large. 1t has done this
we believe, under the partisan impulse
to oppose whatever a Democratic
President did or proposed. So agains
the Presidents brayest and wisest ac
the call for reduction that shoulC
clear off the surplus-the party, at Mr.
Blaine's summons, threw itself in bit
ter opposition. The cry of "protec
ton to the American laborer" wa
caught up as taking campaign catch
word. We believe the republican
stump-speakers talk worse than the,
mean, and that, were the responsible
ties of power thrown on them, W
should at least hear no more Of rails
ing the tariff. But they have com
mitted themselves hopelessly agains
lowering il.
On this question the democrati
party, for the first time since the wa
has made definite, resolute, sags
cious advance on great government
question. 1t owes this advantag
chiefly to the fact which is the party
one great merit in the eyes of tn
countryside strong personality an
commanding leadership of Presider
Cleveland. He has shown himself a
honest, able, courageous ruler. II
is not an idealist, not an uncomprC
missing apostle Of reform he has cor
ceded much for the sake of controlin
his party he has tolerated at least
few very weak spots in the admin
trative service. But he has proved
most skilful party manager, and til
power which he thus holds he has j
4. every crisis-whether confronted /
all extravagant pension bill or Il
nomination of an Interstate Con
mission or a Chief Justice-use
straight for the good of the countr
And the country likes President Clev
land very much-likes him and trus
him-the republicans must reckc
Y with that fact.