, 1888-11-15
THE TOOL OF OTHERS.
A Canadian Opinion Regarding President
Cleyelapd.

SleNelhnus
ToRoNTo, Nov. 14.-The Empire, the
organ of Sir John Macdonald and the DO.
minion administration, prints the follow
ing editorials
up to the date of the rejection of the
fishery treaty by the United States senate,
Mr.. Cleveland occupied an honorable posi-
tion in the eyes Of all En9lish.speaking
people. He appeared to be striving to ad.
minister the weighty duties of his high
Office with moderation and dignity, and he
had succeeded in impressing the public
with the belief that he possessed no mean
abilities as the executive head of the na-
tion. With the rejection of the treaty the
president seemed to surrender his judg-
ment and conscience to the keeping of the
small politicians by whom he was sur
rounded, and who had taken into their
charge the interests Of his election, The
calm, prudent Mr.. Cleveland seemed to
disappear, and in his place was found n
president who had become the tool of men
prepared to stop at nothing to insure, as
they supposed, his reelection. The
secret Of the presidents action in
turning his back upon himself, upon
Washington, and upon his message to
congress, emphasizing the merits of the
treaty. and urging Its acceptance. and in
sending his retaliation message to the
same body, which had just been assured
by himself that Canada had agreed TO a
settlement which was just and equitable,
was desire to promote his reelection by
picking quarrel with Canada. He sought
in this way, by the advice of unscrupulous
politicians. to secure the support of the
anti British element among the electors.
Then came his dismissal of the British
minister, another foul blow below the belt,
and another appeal to the Fenians to stand
by him; and accom- panying those insults
there were thrust upon the Canadian peo-
pie the reports of various INTERVIEWS"
with democratic senators, cabinet minis
ters, and others, conveying numerous suR-
gestions intended to create the Impression
that the democratic party and government
we're not unwilling to go on record as
voicing the sentiments of all that is mean
and detestable among the anti-British in
fiuences operative in the United States.
That this line Of action, adopted for
purely electioneerinR purposes, has been
of any real service to Mr.. Cleveland we
do not believe. He permitted himself to
employ these dishonorable weapons. and
they have failed to secure the much de-
sired victory We incline TO the opinion
that they have done him as much harm as
good. He might have gone to the cleo
tion without this stain on his shield. IL
he had to fall he would have fallen hon
orably. He would have saved intact his
hitherto honest record. de would have
preserved the good opinion of mankind.
That the president failed to maintain his
integrity, that he surrendered the control
of his public conduct to electioneerne
wire-pullers and low schemers. will al
ways be . matter for general regret; and
to himself personally there will probably
be ever present the bitter reflection
tnat the loss of the good opinion Of his
| fellow-men did not avail to save the presi.
dency or his party. Mr.. Cleveland has
good reasou 10 regret that he parted with
an honorable record without occurring The