Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-07-12

rhe Executive Capacity OF MI. CleveIau.
Surpassed Only by His Honesty.

rhe Executive Capacity of Mr.. CleveIaud
Surpassed Only by His Honesty.
Dismayed and disappointed at the
spectacle of harmony and enthusiasm
presented by the convention which gave
the Democracy and the country such
splendid ticket, the Republicans resort
to the puerile expedient of haunting the
Democratic party with being under the
dominating influence of Mr.. Cleveland.
"A Cis-Atlantic Cesar" cries one
Western organ, KAISER Cleveland re-
crowned" chimes in the New York
Tribune; "Cleveland's convention"
The st. Louis ratification meeting"
'-Obeying Cleveland's Instructions
etc, have been the glaring headlines
in a score of other Republican papers.
They wish to convey the impression
that the great party of the people is so
permeated with the spirit of Cleveland
ism that it can not for the present en-
terrain any policy which is not in ac-
cord with that of the President. They
are laboring to show that the President
so completely controls his party as to
stife all independence of action in it.
How absurd this line of argument is
party which is incapable of submitting
to a dictator, and whose very indie
pendence of spirit has been at times
carried to dangerous length in con-
ventiOns. OF all political organizations
on the face of the globe. the Demo
cratic party of the United States is the
least calculated to submit to the dicta-
ton of any individual. Debate, caucus,
criticism or kicking" is as free as
the air to any Democrat in or out of
convention. Mr.. Cleveland has been
severely criticised and roundly abused
on many occasions by members of his
own party. Yet many of those critics
and grumblers were among the most
enthusiastic supporters of Mr.. Glove
land at St. Louis.
Why is it that the party which has been
called the fierce" the ''unterrified,"
should lift up its voice, without one
note of dissent, for the man of its
choice of four years ago, and declare to
the world that it is unalterably united
and solified under his leadership? Be-
cause it recognizes in Grover Cleve-
land elements of invincible popularity
d
leaders. Why is it that the grand "Old
Roman" who desired to remain in re-
tirement, and enjoy in his old age
the rest to which a life time of
distinguished and honorable service
or his country and his party
entitled him, has been induced to
buckle on his Democratic armor once
more and do battle in u National cam
paign? Because he recognizes in
Grover Cleveland the fearless. consis-
tent champion of Democratic prin-
ciples, the unflinching antagonist of
the Republican nurtured monopolies
which he himself had struck SO many
lusty blows, He recognized in his as
sociate on the National ticket a true
Democrat, a high-minded patriot, a
courageous leader.
The Republican organs which sheer
at the devotion of the Democratic party
for its chosen leader forget their pre-
vious attempts to show that there was
widespread disaffection towards Mr..
Cleveland in the ranks of his party, and
they unconsciously give him credit for
superiority in brains and power far be-
yond any one in their party. They tes-
tify by their sneers to the successful
leadership and executive capacity of
the very man they oppose, and &C
knowledge the popularity that bold
and positive action, firm and mistaken
administration of the affairs of Gov
eminent and untarnished honesty and
fidelity to duty bring with them 1t
would be well for them had they a
leader eff such capacity, instead of
having a lot of r,Obodies over whom
they quarrel like Kilkenny cats.-AL-
bany argus.