The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1888-12-07

styie can be easily recognized.
y hlle these discussions were going on
Secretary Whitney was indisposed and
absent from Washington Or his return
to the capi5ol shortly before the assem-
bling Of Congress, be received q letter from
the President, who expressed 4 desire to
see him as soon as possible. Secretary
Whitney called at the White House, and,
IL private interview Mr Cleveland. sub
mifted to him the draft Of his proposed
n essage, which was then prepared The
revelation was a surprise and a shock 10
the secretary, whose keen perception and
accurate political information 1t once sug-
gested to him that, however wise and
commendable the propositions advanced
IA ght be IN the abstract, it was not the
right time to cast them upon the country
lie frankly expressed these views TO the
President as the first impression made on
his mind by the message. Mr.. Cleveland
was evidently considerably surprised and
disappointed at the position taken BY the
Secretary. He told Mr.. whitney that the
message had already been discussed by
the Cabinet, and that his remark. We're
the first hostile expressions he had heard
in regard to it. He desired that the Secre-
tary would take little time to reflect on
the matter and see if he could not ind
reasons to warrant q change in the views
he then expressed.
At this interview Hr. Whitney at once
discovered and pointed out to the Pres-
dent one important instance to which the
alleged facts advanced were not correct,
and the reasoning built ppon them was
fa1lacious aud open to structive criti-
cism. The President was surprised at the
information and made note of it for in
quiry- Mr.. Whitney was found to be right
and the message was modified according
ly The Cabinet was then called together
IN a special meeting, al which the message
was again considered Mr.. Whitney and
all the members being present. The dis
cussiou which ensued was warm and pro-
longed. Reflection seemed only o have
confirmed Mt. Nhitney's views If the in
expediency Of the policy, and when he
spoke he expresse. his opposition il no
uncertain terms. He believed it was most
ipiudicious to g. the Republicans an is
sue such IS hey most desired, and which
they had repeatedly tried 70 falsely force
on the Democracy when they were search
ing anxiously, and up to that time vainly.
for war cry. He Insisted that the merits
arI justice If the policy recommended in
the message had no part il the discussion;
that the real point was whether i was ju-
dicious 70 urge the policy on the eve Of
the Presidential election, when there would
not be time enough at command of the
party to combat prejudice, to overthrow
false charges, and to educate the minds of
the working people up to al understand
ing Of their true interests. Mr.. Whitney
insisted that without this direct issue in
the approaching canvass the opposition
would have nothing to do but to make a
fight by attacks on the general policy and
character Of the administration. and on
this there could be no question of their de
feat. The result would be the vindication
Of the administration, and its patri,., ;sm
and integrity would become historical
through the discussions on the canvass,
Mr. whitney urged the policy Of first win
ming the battle and then securing the
forms and relief sought during the four
years of the next Issue.
Ihe other members Of the Cabinet op-
posed Nr WLitney's position and urged
the expediency of the message at that
time. But it was reserved for Mr.. Villas
to assail Mr. vhitney's views with force
which encroached on the limits Of courtesy.
The fowerv orator from Wisconsin talked
fiippautiy about the Objectionable charac-
tpt of cowardice in politics, and accused
his colleague g of a want of manliness in his
| terlp triziug and 'eXpediency" policy. In
| his calm reply Mr. " hitney remarked that
he had never heard that prudence in plan
! ming a campaign was a mard Of coWardice
| or recklessness and bravadO indications ol
| courage. He had heard it somewhere said
| that discretion is the better part of valor
and certainly it was nc n evidence eth
| er of discretion or common sense to cast
down Your Notifications, and open clear
path for the enemy into the heart of the
citadel Just before a battle for existence
| Mr. Whitney was left alone, however, IL
his condemnation of the message as i'll
timed, inexpedient and full of danger fol
the party
1t was determined that the message
should be sent to Congress. But on tn,
night of the Cabinet meeting, Mr. Cleve
land was in consultation with his Private
Secretary until two O'Clock in the morn
ing. He was greatly disturbed by tht
position Mr.. Whitney had taken, having
always regarded him as the shrewdes
political adviser, and the best equipped
statesman in the Cabinet. Finally h
threw the message from him in an irrta
BILE outburst and declared that it was to-
late to retreat. The message was sent in
It did not enable Mr.. Villas or Mr.. Endi
colt to decrease the Republican majOritie
in their States 1t lost New York to Mr.
c. eveland despite Secretary Fairchild'
confident predictions to the contrary.
No one believes that Mr.. Manning, al
though like Mr.. Whitney an honest frien
of tariff reform and tax reduction, woul
have endorsed the policy of the President
,naSSaoe as the Openinp gun of the cam