Montgomery County sentinel., 1888-06-15
AUTOCRATTC RULE.


While Blaine was candidate few Repub.
licans cared to throw themselves into tu-
mutt of discussion over party dictatorship.
Blaine retired. The Republicans are talk
ing freely about Cleveland's autocratic rule
over the Democratic party.
Between the sort of influence Cleveland
wields and that of Blaine among Republi-
cans there is all the difference in the world
he has done, for wise administration, for
successfully meeting the difficulties of hold
ing great party together in the trying time
of change from opposition to power.
Looking at the condition of the govern
ment and the personnel Of the service, Re-
publicans themselves cannot say that Dir.
Cleveland has used his position for small
private ends. Almost any influential Dem
ocrat has more personal friends in office than
has the President. He has gathered about
him as advisers the representatives of ideas,
and has been engrossed wholly in the busi-
ness of impartial execution of the laws and
honest redemption of the pledges made by
him and his party in 1884. He has exhib-
tied the rare virtue of firm attachment to
principles without endangering desirable
reforms by extreme dogmatism. Listening
TO all Democrats entitled to it and patiently
following the twisted threads Of each public
question in its relations TO party strength
and public welfare, he has succeeded in be.
ing right and popular. He has recognized
the impossibility of pressing to logical and
theoretical extremes comparatively new i'm.
provements until public opinion is educated.
To his eminently practical mind the weak
nesses of human nature appear as factors
which have TO be considered, and he asks
for ideas only the progress the condition oi
the country makes reasonable.
The Democratic party trusts Mr.. Cleve
land because his has been life of results
He has shown wisdom and strength in the
past, has converted the party into an un
broken whole and has secured the favor o
the people. 1t puts itself under his leader
ship without hesitation because of its we'll
founded belief in him and also because HI
has not sought leadership.
Blaine's dominance over the Republican
party Is the success of q schemer who play
night and day for it. He has done nothing
for the country-absolutely nothing. Ii
Congress he was manoeuverer and in ad
ministration office he was jingo. Neve
In all his career has he studied with interes
or effect public good. He filled ever.
place he could with his henchmen. So ia
has his personal intriguing gone that he ha
insulted and injured every Republican VIII
was or could become rival. He won
reputation for ability by theatrical clap
trap, and squrmed into leadership by knit
ing better men. Not substantial result ha
been produced in the thirty years which
have passed since he was first elected to
representative office.
Mr.. Cleveland's personality does not PLAY
any part in the union between him and hii
party. The denomination is reward o
merit, commission offered on the field o
battle for nobly won first days fight. II
him the party turns because events max,
him its natural leader; there is no reason OF
earth why he should not have the united
and harmonious endorsement of the party
and all good citizens in November next
Mr.. Cleveland is not dictator In recen
American history no man OF equal party
prestige has interfered so seldom in politics
Like the elder Pitt he has given himself VI
to ideas and to duties while others have at
tended to the offices. Since his nomination
four years ago he has asked nothing of tn,
party except that it would avoid errors ant
unite in every State upon the best issues.
The Republican party has been the per
forming poodle OF Snowman. The Dem
ocratic party organizes itself under the lead
er who does most for Democracy and tn,
least for himself.