San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-10-18

hollowness and selfishness of republi-
canism as it writes down its charac-
ter and aims in the latest confession
of faith.
THE CANDIDATES.
I come now to my third ground Of
confidence in democratic success,
namely, the character of our standard
bearers. -Four years ago Grover
Cleveland appeared as comparative
ly new star in the political firmament;
but he had so displayed the qualities
of courage, independence, integrity
and real leadership while governor Of
New York rs to give him at once q
national reputation, and a high place
among the foremost men of his party
The people caught his spirit and raj
lied to his support with such ardor
and spontanoity that all rival candi-
dates were sent to the rear, and his
nomination became inevitable. His
later career has been still more re-
markable. He has been far more
thoroughly tried in the great Office OF
president, and under the remorseless
fire of his political enemies; but since
the day of his Inauguration he has
been steadily winning the admiration
and love of his party and the respect
of good men. His nomination for
second term became u foregone con-
clusion 80 early in his administration
and his qualities as great leader of
men revealed themselves 80 unmist-
akably from time to time, that the
claims OF no other candidate have
been debated, or even seriously
thought Of. Not one of the famous
men of tho republic in its early days
was ever more completely the idol of
his party. His denomination at st.
Louis by the unanimous vote Of its
picked men from every section of the
Union was no surprise to the count
ry, but I believe was universally anti
cipated by men of all parties. But
this unanimous nomination only
family indicated the unexampled and
resistless enthusiasm of the conven-
ton. 1t carried everything before it
like the tides of the sea, and the del
egates became the mere instruments
of power which had enthralled
them, and given them one heart and
one will Their sense OF duty was an
illumination; and yet their enthusi-
asm was not ephemeral, but the final
outburst of deliberate and intelll-
gent estimate Of the man in the light
of his public acts through a series OF
years. What other explanation is
possible? 1t will not do to hold, with
Senator Ingalls,, that Grover Cleve-
land is q near relative of the great
family Of idiots, and that the demo-
cratic party is 81 heap of compost p"
Nor will ii help tho matter to brand
the democrats rs rebels, whe have
found their likeness and fit instru-
ment in the president. These inter
esting specimens of post-mortem
politics and political lunacy have
served their turn and gone to their
place.
Mr.. Chairman, in the canvass Of
1876 I referred to the exceptional
power of one strong man, thorough
ly in earnest, and thoroughly armed
with the strength of his convictions.
"With fertile brain, perfect cour-
age, absolute devotion to duty, and
genius for the work of reform, he
may scatter renovating ideas, redeem
state from misrule, and radically
change the face of society. ." = A
really great man, with rare force of
character, passionately welded to his
work, and desperately resolved to
to submit to no defeat, might 20 in
spire the people with his own spirit
OF courage and faith that revolu-
ton in the administration of public
affairs wonld be tho result. These
words were spoken of Samuel j. Til
den twelve years ago, and have no
doubt would have been perfectly
justified in tho administration of that
eminent statesman if he had been
permitted by the party in power to
take the office to which he had been
fairly elected. But in thus sketch
ing the democratic candidate OF 1876
/ anticipated the character and car
ieer of Grover Clevolund. Let me IL
lustrate the truth of what say by
facts. His annual message on the
subject of the tariff awakened alarm
in the ranks OF a very formidable
body Of democrats and general reioic-
ing among republicans. 1t was re-
garded as daring and perilous
venture. Tho rugged issue he pres
ented had been eVaded and Stunned
by the cautious and prudent politi-
clans OF both parties since the close
OF the late war, while surplus had
been accumulating in the treasury
which Ind threatened the utter dem
oralization OF our politics, and had
been unnecessarily drawn from the
pockets OF the people in the form Of
taxes upon the necossarios OF life The
president fully realized the situatioD
and the necessity Of prompt action,
AMI without taking the counsel Of
timid leaders he launched his mes
sage. He was a candidate for re-
nomination; bat in determining the
question Of public duty he took no
thought for the morrow, and was
perfectly ready to face the cOnso-
quences Of his course. The people.
/ hoxever, love courage, and be has 80
multiplied himself in the ranks Of bis