New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-16
DEMOCRATIC PERPLEXTTT.

The Democats are worried. it is said because
of Mr.. BIaine's withdrawal. They have no
occasion. Mr. Blaine's withdrawal makes it
easy for the Republican party TO unite upon
stronger candidate, if they can find one, but
not exactly easy to unite unless they can find
:, candidate deemed by the majority Of Repub-
licans stronger in the doubtful States. Mean
while the Democrats are privately convinced
that stronger candidate cannot be found, so
that the chances they had, if not much inn
proved, arc at least no worse than they were.
Their worry is ineligible from one point
Of view. They knew definitely what to expect
if Mr. Blaine was nominated. They could bark
at him, and hope that some voters would forget
the broken pledges of the Democratic paitya
and its proved and pitiable incapacity in listen
ing TO their barking Instead, they are to have
an unknown candidate to fight. and unknown
lines of attack, and unknown elements of
strength, which may prove less than Mr.. Blaine
had at command, but are alarming to all weak
creatures because unknown. The number Of
possible Republican candidates is dreadful.
For some Of them the Democrats have in store
effective ammunition. but not shot for tenth
of the whole number and what fr1ghtful thing
il would be if the Republicans should nominate
an innOcuOus and unattackable cipher
from the point of view of Democrats, who
imagine that Islander and mud-throwng damage
a candidate, that would indeed be an awful
calamity.
At present writing. the Democrats arc also
worried TO know what to do about Mr.. Clcve-
land They should be glad that it has been
,c.o IL, fl,.,, rid of him, IN
some of them are, who appreciate what a load
his free trade message would prove in the can
vass. But when it comes to the selection OF
some one in his place, the old trouble begins.
In this State any other candidate would have
n hard time Outside Of this State, candidate
who can harmonic the warning factions in
New-York is not easy to discover. Then, If
he were found. how could Free Traders and
rotecLionists he united upon him Mr. CJcyc-
land was a blank sheet of paper. politically on
which Mr.. Wattcrson wrote Free Trade" for
the dclectation of Kentucky, and on the other
side Mr. Randall wrote " Protection" for the
comfort Of Pennsylvania. A man who has
contrived to live to his thrty-fifth year, and
to get somewhat known outside Of his own
State, without having any knowledge or opin-
lens about vital public questions, is
not to be picked up under every
bush. No Democrat has made himself
even the pallid ghost of reputation
since Mr. Cleveland came in. He has taken
good care of that. if, indeed, any Democratic
leader had enough irvhm 10 make reputation
with the best Of chances.
The withdrawal Of Mr.. Blaine has one effect
which he presumably did not intend. Probably
il cuts away the last chance Of the passage of
any tariff bill this year. The Democratic
statesmen who hope that lightning may strike
them are going to be particularly prudent here
after. With Mr. Cleveland as a foredoomed
candidate. the passage of some tariff bill to
modify his message. and, so to speak, dilute
the dose, was considered necessity. Now the
men who want his nomination rendered impos-
sible find the defeat of any tariff bill one way
to bring nearer the desired end. But with no
tariff bill passed, the issue Of free trade against
protection will remain sharply made as Mr..
Cleveland presented it,