New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-04
TIE ST. LOUIS CONTENTION

The 0ftcc-h0idery convention VIII reSislSr
the ed;cts of the dispenser of patronage at ST.
Louis this week. Packed by ofiice-holders in
every State, this convention will nevertheless
reflect the wish Of large majority OF the party,
because President Cleveland has made it i'm
possible for any other Democrat TO be noml-
mated with hope of success If his party dis
likes him. it dislikes being out of power much
more. and in the expressive language OF an old
time Democrat of this State, would :" vote for
the Devil incarnate" sooner than lose its grip
upon the Offices. Having "refOrmed' ideilty
and trained skill out Of $4,000 Offices
having told the country that the only
way to protect industry is to 60 as far to-
ward free trade as possible, President Cleve-
land has 50 fixed things that there is not an
other Democrat in the Northern States upon
whom the vote of the party could be concentrat-
ed, unless it be Mr.. Thurman, and has secured
MIR. Thurmans consent, according to current
report to run as candidate for Vice-President
If the plan works the convention will put up
kangaroo ticket, Intellectually and morally.
The proceedings Of such a convention can
hardly be OF thrilling interest. When office
holders, or their messengers and tools, solemnly
resolve that the virtue, the wisdom and the
patriotism of the person who appointed them
render him the most wonderful man OF the age,
a cynical universe is not apt to find the per-
formqnce particularly edlfyLg. The Past Mas
ter of Cant, who turns from vetoes of pension
bills to review body of loyal veterans and
from dishonest practices and associates to adj
dress body of clergymen, will doubtless IN
struct his henchmen to resolve most unctuousiy
in favor of the solder, the farmer, the laborlng
man, and any other class which is supposed TO
be gullible. In particular, his henchmen VIII
elorify his foreign policy, because that has been
disgraceful enough to need whitewashing, and
his more than Roman fidelity to the cause OF
Civil Service Reform, since that has been SO
peculiarly illustrated in their appointments.
Then there will remain the tariff question,
about which some persons expect to see 1liss
in the convention
There is no probability that anybody will
make disturbance. The delegates are not
sent TO wrange about the opinions OF their
master. few shallow observers, who do not
understand Mr.. Cleveland's character, imagined
that he was displeased when the Newly ork
Convention uttered evasive words about the
tariff and squirmed over the Mills bill. The
chances are ten to one that MIR. Cleveland was
gratifed to feel that he was the only courage
GUS and candid man Of his party in Newly ork;
that he heartily approved, for the same reason,
the tricky resolution passed in the Pennsylvania
Convention by his aid, "Baron" Scott; and that
he wants to see the National Convention OF his
party as mealy- mouthed, evasive and tricky as
it we'll can be in dealing with this subject.
Then the Presidents superior daring will shine
resplendent, and he will appear the only leader
of the party who has the manhood to say what
he means. To be called purer more patriotic,
WISER more honest and Drawer than his party,
and to be supported on that ground, is an am
biton quite worthy of the man.
Mr.. Cleveland gave signs long ago, which
The Tribune then rightly Interpreted, OF
determination to make himself the leader and
head of the Free-Trade faction, and his mes
sage was deliberately intended to make it i'm
possible for the party to recognize any other
man in that capacity. oP 10 evade that issue.
He did not know enough of the subject to speak
with fact or caution. He wanted to induce the
dear people to think that his kind of Free
Trader was the only genuine Protectionist, but
he only made it plain that his kind of Protec-
ton would leave Free-Traders nothing to ask.
Having made the issue for his party, and forced
himself upon the party as its master and only
possible candidate, he would now be very will
ing to have the party interpret his message in
thirty eight different ways, adapted TO the
latitude of thirty-eight different States. The
more the party can cheat the voters, the better
this Reform President will be pleased with his
servants