The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-06-23
The Democratic Ticket.

Hdrper's Weekly of June 16, contains a
very significant leading editorial on "The
denomination of Mr.. Cleveland" which we
copy entire, as follows;
siIn 1884, upon refusing to support the Re-
publican nomination, Harper Weekly said
that the great objects OF the Republican party
were honest and economical administration,
peaceful and honorable foreign relations, the
progressive publication of the public service
at home, wise reduction of the revenue, and
that sense of general security which springs
from the moral elevation of the administra-
ton Finding no promise of the advance
ment of such objects in the Republican nomi-
nation, it declined to support it. But these
objects, with the exception OF that degree OF
reform in the civil service which 1t desired,
have been largely promoted by the admins
tration of Mr.. Cleveland, and mainly by his
personal influence. The retention of Mr..
Garland as Attorney General after the Pan
Electric Developments certainly did not en-
nance the character of the administration,
although il was his discretion and sense OF
official propriety rather than personal honesty
which were involved. But the general char
acter of the administration is not in this sense
open to reproach. With the exception men
toned, the unanimous denomination OF Mr..
Cleveland does not forecast any executive
departure from the prosecution Of the objects
which we then described as of paramount i'm
portance, and this journal sees no reason to
regret the action which it then took. The
Democratic party in renominating the Presi-
dent merely ratifies the verdict Of the country
upon his general course. Indeed, to have
hesitated or to have set him aside would have
been to declare that magistrate SO acccepta-
BILE did not represent his party, ana
party capable of such folly would have been
overwhelmed. The Democratic party owes
very much mere to Mr.. Cleveland than to any
other leader of this generation, for he alone
has removed from it that stigma of profound
distrust and alarmed apprehension whichjust
ly attached to it for so many of the most crit
ical years of our history. He has impressed
the country as an upright patriot of conser-
vative temperament and OF wise but not
Quixotic or Fictitious courage, who, while OF
course party man, seeks first the public
welfare through his party, and who, while
Welding upon some points to an evil pressure;
has upon the whole commanded his party by
character and courage, giving it distinct
policy, dispensing serious party opposition,
uniting it as no leader since the war has been
able to unite it, and receiving a denomination
without a whisper of dissent, and by enthu
siastic reclamation. How his personality
reacts upon his party is seen in the speech OF
Mr.. Collins, the president of the convention.
1t was set in the high party key, but such
speech in Democratic convention, showing
so lust a sense of what at least party must
now be believed to be in order to hope for
success, has been hitherto unheard. HdTper's
Weekly has not disguised its regret and dis
appointment at the course of the President
IL odd no
been more firm and consistent he would in
our Judgment have been stronger in the can
vass. But while we have frankly acknowl-
edged that his administration could not be
called dstinctively a reform administration,
we have pointed out the falsity and injustice
of the charge that nothing has been accom-
plished. Very much has been accomplished.
The President has purified the political at
mosphere, and the increasing interest IN the
question and the demand for reform have been
stimulated and confirmed by his known con-
yiction and desire. No man who has the re-
form at heart can regret that Mr.. Blaine was
defeated, nor anticipate that any candidate
who is likely to receive the Republican NOM
nation would advance the reform. The
course of the Republican convention will be
awaited with great interest. That the candi-
date of 1884 is still the undoubted spontaneous
choice of the party is not good augury, be-
cause it shows the influence which will pro-
badly predominant in its action. That the
general tone and aim of the party are more
encouraging than they were four years ago
nowhere appears. The Republican leader
ship is not reassuring. There is no command:
ing figure among the probable candidates, and
the inspiration of the convention will be ap-
parently hatred of mugwumps and devotion to
Mr.. Blaine The convention, however, may
wisely reflect that there was never greater in
of party names than now. ltwas
that force which decided the election IN 1854,
and it will be much more extensive and pow
erful in 1888. Moreover the conservative
indisposItiop to change without strong reasons
"a disposition which is most effective IN the
business world-will favor the re- election OF
the President. But the result OF the contest
cannot be yet forecast. How effective will be
the scare of free trade and low wages, and
how extensive the Irish and other Democratic
detection, remain to be proved. The Demo-
Gratis completed their work by the nomination
of Mr.. Thurman for the vice presidency.
Except for his age, this would be the best
selection they could have made. Mr.. Thur
man is universally respected as ap upright
and able man, and there is no Democrat in
the country who enjoys higher regard among
his political opponents. The sturdy honesty
of the two Democratic candidates, and the
freedom of the ticket from all faint Of boo
de- will compel the Republicans to take care
that no suggestive contrast shall be offered by
their ticket There can be no doubt that the
Democrats open their campaign with union
and confidence which they have not shown
for many year."