The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-11-15
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8. 1888.
Mr.. Cleveland has been defeated, but
under such 9 combination OF clrcum'
stances that the republican party a. an
has really no right TO
claim credit for the victory, although
the result places its candidate in the
White House for term of four years. |
Mr.. Cleveland has been sacrificed to
crafty the personal malice OF mayor
Abraham 8. Hewitt and to satisfy the
greed of gang of corrupt local poiitl
clans in New York City. 1t is re
proach to our country that such a thing
could have been possible, and it Will
remain a reproach AS long as the vote
of New York City can control presi
dential election. Few people here pe
lieye that Governor Hill OF New forK
did not do his best to re elect Mr.
Cleveland. Col. Lamont. who doubt
less reflects the sentiments of Mr
Cleveland, on this subject, says tna'
he is fully satisfied that Governor hih
has done all thai he possibly could for
the national ticket, and that the votes
he vot that Cleveland did not get were
from the republican liquor interests,
and could not have been controlled by
anyone.
Mr.. Cleveland has 80 conducted
hinosef siuce the election as to win the
appreciation of every body, republicans
"a well as democrats. He is disap
pointed. of course He would not De
human if he was not under the circum
stances, but he hides it well. On Wed
nesday, with the streets full ofJubi.ani
velilns repuL Llicans, aud a battery OF
artillery in the park just in the rear OF
the White House. firing salute to
celebrate Harrison's election. Mr..
Cleveland was holding his usual pub
lie reception, and quietly shaking
hands with the large crowd in attend
ance. and exchanging smiles and
pleasant words with each one. Most
men would have sulked for some time
after the election.
There is a great diversity Of opinion
among democratic officials as to the
cause of the defeat. For instance, Sec
retary Whitney says that the loss OF
New York Was caused by the TACT tnat
the workingmen had not been proper
lv educated as to the tariff. The ques
tion was not D. esented to them In the
right manner and they were made to
believe the democrats were free traders
instead of tariff reductionists. Justice
Lamar is of the opinion that the tariff
had nothing Whatever to do with the
result. Representative Foran. fresh
from an interview with the President,
said: II am not good on post mort
am. I can diagnose the case, but there
NV skill ends. Tariff and Civil Ser
vice reform did it. Civil Service lit
tie and tariff great deal. The Presi'
dent was entirely right in ell that he
did, but he was right too soon. The
tune was not yet ready. But the man
ufscturers have refused q small reduc
tion. The result will be that there viii
be an uprising of the taxed people anG
they will be cut deep. Everybody con
fesses that there must be tariff revision
The democratic party will be strongeI
than ever four years hence. There will
he q reaction from this intense selfish
ness.n Representative Taulbee feel
confident that the responsibility now
given the republicans will eventually
nroye their destruction. And thus i
roes on. Columns might be fllet
with the different opinions, but it Ii
unnecessary.
Mr.. Cleveland, in talking OF th'
election, admits that his tariff messag
may have lest him q great many vote
enough probably to have caused hi
defeat, but he still maintains. with I
courage that does him honor, that i
he had the whole business to do owe
again he would not change his cours,
In regard to the tariff question by |
hairs breadth, ss what he did was tn
result of his honest convictions. Mr.
Cleveland was very much dissppoint
ed at the action of the republicans tina
he had kept in Office, who voted ant
worked against him with all thei
might, Mr.. Cleveland states in Ian
puape that cannot be misunderstood
that Hill and Tammany Hall trestet
him seuarely, but he makes no sucl
statement in repard to Hewitt and hi
crowd. who, as stated in the first para
graph of this letter, are the parties tina
are responsible for the defeat of In
national democratic ticket.
The loss of the House was particular
" unfortunate just at this time, rs
will enable the republicans to admi
as states all the territories that afs re
publican in politics, which will giV'
them at least four more Senators ant
the vote of two more states in the elect
oral college of 1892. That they viii
admit the republican and keep out thu
Democratic territories, cannot for ,
moment be doubted by anyone at al
familiar with republican methods.