New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-14
WHAT DID CLEVELAND MEAN'

In his lctter dcCcplihB Vic hohhi"''O" '''
tbc Presidency Mr. Cleveland wrote as follows ::
"when wo consider tho patronage Of this great ohice
fos President, the allurements Of power tho tempa-
lion 10 retain place. gained and, moro than all,
tho availability party finds In an Incumbent whom
horde of Office holders, with zeal born or dement's
received and fostered by the hope of favor5 yet 10
come stand ready to aid with money and trained
noltlcal service, recognize In the eligibility OF
tho President for election most serious danger to
that calm, deliberate and Intelligent political action
which must characterize government by the people"
The interesting question arises What did
Mr.. Cleveland mean when he used this Ian
cuago? Clearly he must have meant one of
two things. His words are properly 10 be re-
rarded either as committing Mr.. Cleveland to
n declinatiOn of Presidential nomination. or
they are to be regarded as bncombe. a doctor
who refuses to take his own medicines is
looked upon the world over as fraud.
It is understood on all sides that the President
is a candidate for reelection. and yet so far as
we have observed no ono of the Slugwump
organs has pointed out that he cannot take
the field again without stultifying himself.
It might have been thought that these news
papcrs. which love to attitudinze as the only
genuine opponents of the political prophecies,
would have come between Mr.. Cleveland and
his ambition for denomination with club.
Why have they RETAINED from reminding him
that he is pledged. by the terms Of his letter Oh
1884 not to allow his name to go before the
Democratic National Convention of 1888? II
the truly good Mugwumps do not insist that the
idol of their hearts, their beau ideal of ethical
craftsmanship shall keep his pledges, OK
pressed or implied. what is the country coming
to? Turning from the Mugwumps to the
democrats. VIC find hero and there disposition
manifested to hold the President to his word.
Smith Weed has been reported as asserting
that he believed Mr. Cleveland would adhere
to his letter Of acceptance and refuse to be
candidate for second term. GO am of the
opinion" Mr.. Weed added. "that he will writc
a letter to that effect to give the public clear
understanding on the subject" Commenting
,pon what Mr. Weed had to say, "The
Rochester Union" one Of the leading Demo-
cratic newspapers Of Western NcwYOrl< re-
marked: "The declaration Of the letter of ac
crptance asserts principles and propositions
that by memorable logic climinate the Prcsi-
dent from the field of succession. He will not
bring upon the country most serious danger
TO that calm. Deliberate and intelligent poIiti-
cal action which must characterize govern
mcnt by the people"
The interview with Mr.. Weed in which he
gave expression to the views in question, and
"The Rochester Union's' article on the inter
view, we're printed a year ago OF late we do
not remember hearing either from Mr.. Weed,
"Thc Union" or any other trustworthy repre-
sentative OF Democracy on the point; and al
though the time draws nigh when the National
Democratic Convention will he called to order.
it ia not even rumored that the President has
written or is to write letter declining a re-
nomination. What is the explanation?
"Thosc are nv convictions" exclaimed a
Western candidate for office to hs constituents
at the close of an eloquent speech. "and il
they don't suit they can be changed" Mr..
Ccveland's convictions in favor of single
Presidential term do not suit his ambition.
Hence he changes them.