New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-16
WHY MR. CLEVELAND rs M STER


The Democratic party needed leader, but
has found master. The events of the past
wear have a peculiar interest for the philosoph-
ical student of parties and Of party government
in Republic. President Cleveland dictates
to the New ork Democratic Convention as aD-
solutely, with as little effective resistance, ana
with as contemptuous Indifference to the wishes
and interests of intelligent Democrats, as II ne
were overseer on a plantation and Democrats
were his slaves. Governor Hill, of whom some
have talked as the possible leader of an instr-
rection, feels the lash and bears the humllia-
ton of public logging as best he can. With
out him, Mr. Cleveland could never have De
come master of his party for it was Mr. Hilfs
victory last year that made Clevelands dlcta-
ton possible. But Mr.. Manning was discarded
and Inundated before him, and but for Man.
ming, the ex- sheriff of Erie would long ago have
disappeared in oblivion. The men who clmp
without merit are those who kick away thelr
ladders without conjunction.
MIR. Cleyeland's lash has been felt by every
Democrat who has opposed bis will. MIR. Ran
dali has more than once led his party out OF the
laws of defeat 4: it was his stubborn and saga
cious direction which made Cleveands election
DOSSlDlt III 1901 LID. ION"hu ." w
graced and beaten in his own State. MIR. Will
lins, member of Congress from OHIO, vent
ured to oppose the President because he dld not
dare to defy his constituents. Now he is con-
signed to private life by the "pernicious ac-
tiyityo of Mr. Clevelands henchmen, and re-
fleets. as he applies healing lotions to his LAGER
ated back, that the Democratic party Will suffer
in the end more than he suffers now. Mr.
Sowden, of Pennsylvania, obeyed his consult
uents and dsobeyed President Cleveland by
| opposing the Mills bill down comes the lash
in veto of the bill for public building at AL
| lentown while bill for a. similar purpose IN
| Mr.. Hiestand's district was promptly approved,
because Mr. HieStand had obeyed tho master
and disregarded his constituents.
The Democratic party is just now engaged IN
wondering how il cama to get so merclless a
master. II elected Mr.. Cleveland because he
was mao without ideas, destitute of political
| training or influence who could never be any
thing but tool in the hands of skilled leaders,
| it was supposed. The men who expected to
do the leading have each in turn been snubbed
| and disguised and driven from the conduct OF
affairs. Mr. Berrpm does no. hide his disgust
at the Democratic policy which renders success
| III COHnOCtlCuV Ncll-ulSn iHiPoooioiS' ~"N
ablest Democrats in New-Jersey know that Mr.
Cleveland's free-trade message placed them or
the shelf. Sagacious Democrats in Virginia
and West Virginia know that the President
policy means mischief for them, but they have
no power to resist his disciplined army Of " Of,
fensive partisans'' in Office Democratic
Senator from Louisiana lifted up his voice in
protest, and now after a stolen majority Of
$4,000 in the State has been secured by the
machine, he is wondering whether he can gel
reelected by a Democratic Legislature.
If Mr. Cleveland were a man of ability or o.
profound understanding of public questions
| his mastershp would not seem strange. YET
his policy is strong because it is ignorant
| Other Democratic leaders have lifted the party
toward success by carefully preventing any ac-
tion in accord with the ignorant prejudices Of
its votes But MIR. Cleveland suddenly grasp:
the slave whip, and lashes them all at his pleas
ure, because his ignorance permits him to say
and to do just what those ignorant prejudice:
demand. For twenty-five years the party has
sought leader in vain, because no ono shrewG
enough to lead with success could fail to see
that Democratic passions, Democratic vindic-
tiveness, Democratic greed Of Office and hatred
of protected and diversified industry, must BIZ
suppressed in order to escape defeat. Now the
party has slave driver, because 1T has placed
the patronage in the hands of one who accu.
rately represents the ignorance. the prejudices
and the vindictive passions of the great num-
Der of Democratic voters.