The Washington critic., 1888-02-02
WASHINGTON, FEB. ., 1888.
INGALLS, CLEVELAND.

INCA EIsAND.
The Kansas City Times, which re-
Gently published letter written by
Senator Ingalls, to friend in the
West, expressing strong confidence
in the courage and wisdom of Pres-
dent Cleveland, appears to have been
profoundly impressed by the Senator's
sentiments, so much so, indeed, that
it sees within his immediate reach
"the opportunity of his life-one of
those lucky moments which great
men seize and little men let Slip" 1t
says:
Before him now is the chance TO step into
the ranks Of the great. He is in
position TO allay forever the calamitous
hatreys Of a past struggle He can settle the
course of his country on the lines of the best
government for the rest of the century. lie
can make John j. ingalls, the representative
Of the Western idea and one Of the most
powerful single influences in public affairs.
From politician he can grow with sentence
10 craftsmanship, Mr. ingalls, lives in State
whose one fault Is the hardshell radicalism
bred by past anmosities. He can break the
crust and lead his people 60 broader ideas.
best interests, but he can lead them away
from his enemies. From that time forward
his supremacy In Kansas would be unques-
toned.
We do not believe that Mr.. Ingalls,
is ready to accept this polite invitation
TO break faith with his political asso-
ciates and join the Democratic party.
Little as he is in sympathy with many
of his Republican friends on some of
the issues of the day, there is nothing
to show that his love for the grand old
party, and such of its distinguishing
principles as still survive, is swallowed
mp in admiration for Mr.. Cleveland's
administration.
The letteI alluded to was written in
March, 1885, only three weeks after
the new President was inaugurated,
and although the fact of its publication
may warrant the presumption that it
was given to the public with his con-
sent, there is abundant eVTgannye
record that during certain periods at
least since the 25th of March, 1885, Mr..
ingalls, has not entertained the same
high opinion of the President that he
did at the outset. With the mug
wump proclivities of Mr.. Cleveland,
he was never in sympathy-could
never tolerate them-as he memorablY
demonstrated on the floor of the Gen
ate. If called on TO write .an opinion
of him now, it would bethe reverse of
what wrote then
Niaast does ths~ Senator say in this
vslrter of nearly three years ago?
His NIr. Cleveland 81 principal nominations
so far have surprised Democrats as much as
Republicans, but they are generally strong
men, whose selection will be approved by the
conservative forces of the country.
Good humor prevails, though there is mucl
inaudible grumblng among Democrats at IN,
delay in turning the rascals out" But II
Cleveland can stand the racket for the nexl
twelve months, he will bring his party to IL,
knees and become a strong leader. He has a
great opportunity, and evidently intends tc
improve II.
We admit that there is prophetic
inspiration in this language. Mr.
Cleveland has "stood the racket" ht
has drought his party to its knees
he has become "a strong leader" i
looks very much as though in spite o.
his mistakes, all the Vaccinations o.
his oppoEents to supplant him woult
come to nought. But nothing is more
certain than that Mr.. ingalls, never
wrote this letter with any idea in hi
mind of abandoning his old party al
legiance in case the Cleveland admin
istration proved success, or that h'
has authorized its publication now, i
indeed he did authorize it, with
view to feeling his way into the rank
OF the National Democracy. To al
practical intents and purposes he is a
much of a Republican as ever, bu
not so much of a partisan as to shrinl
from giving .even Democratic ad
ministration the credit it deserves
nor so much of a coward as to fear tn
consequences of fair and honest ex
preston of opinion.
That the Senator will improve hi
opportunities we do not doubt IL
has done so quite successfully througl
life; but il is safe to say that he viii
not step outside of his party lines I'm
iii old party lines are broken up AM
the country given new politico
deal.
It is quite certain that the Demc
cratic party will fail in any overture
il may make to him this year for th
electoral vote of Kansas; equally cel
tain that he has no ambition to hea
the Western contingent Of Mugwump'
IT Is STATED THAT only two per cent
of the entire nonulatiOn of the cOur