St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1889-03-07
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND.

On Monday next Grover Cleveland
will retire from the presidency, after
four years of honest and earnest de-
votion to its duties. His election did
not signify approval of a party poll
CIV, for the democratic party cannot
be said to have had a policy. 1t was
merely an opposition, with a tradi-
ton which in the Northern states
was largely regarded with deep dis
| trust But the election of a president
who had been an upright, honorable,
devoted, and courageous mayor of a
large city and governor of a great
! state seemed to the country, for very
definite reasons, preferable to the
ton of the opposing candidate. The
/ argument that party action must be
supported under all circumstances
and at any cost, which is one of the
most cowardly and immoral pleas
that can be urged upon intelligent
men, was set aside by large body
of voters, and Mr.. Cleveland was
elected by the aid of those who had
no sympathy with the antecedents of
his party. There was no clear ex-
pectation in his election of any par
ticular policy of administration, but
q confidence, which has not been be
lied, of an honest and conservative
conduct of public affairs. The demo-
cratic party had no distinctive finan-
cial principles, no common views of
the tariff or taxation, no special
scheme of foreign or domestic con-
duct of affairs, which determined
votes at the election. When Mr..
Cleveland was inaugurated there was
expectation of some extension of
practical reform in the civil service,
but beyond that the only definite
anticipation was that of an honest
and clean administration. That in
general this anticipation has been
fulfilled will not be denied by candid
observers. Mr. Cleveland's term has
not been sullied by any monstrous
scandals such as had become too ia
miliar Mr. Garland's relation with
the Pan-Electric affair was an amaz-
ing indiscretiOn, but we doubt if it is
believed except by fanatical parti
sans, to have involved his personal in
tegrity.
The great service of the administra-
ton has been its demonstration of
the fact that while the democratic
party counts nearly as many adj
herents as the republican, it is not
revolutionary party, and that the
Union and government are perfectly
safe under the democratic aScenden-
cy. After q prolonged civil convul-
sion, with all the changes wrought
Inv II tI1ic u result Tf CT
nificance 1t has taken from our po-
litical controversies the unreasonable
apprehension that the success of a
party embracing half of the people
threatens the existence of the govern
ment itself, and has thus tended eff
fectively to restore the political con-
tentiOnS of the country to their nor
NAL condition. Still further, these
four years have shown the advantage
of a vigorous personality i'll the presi-
dencv, the ability to resist the strong
est tendency of government by party,
which is toward the practical ami
h1latIOn of executive individuality.
TO this v1gOr we owe two things
the advance which unquestionably
has been made III the public cOnv1C-
ton of the immense Importance of
civil service reform, and the restora-
ton of q national election to its prop
er function of rendering the verdict
of the country upon differing public
policies These are the larger aspects
and results of the administration
which is ending, and without the sur
sender of any policical conviction or
preference they are results over which
every good citizen may rejoice.
But while the general anticipation
ofupright and faithful administration
has been fairly fulfilled, the special ex-
PectatiOn in regard to details of re-
form has been disappointed, although
the cause of reform has greatly gain
ed by the very attention and discus
sion which the disappointment has
produced. Thorough and complete
and consistent reform of abuses so
deeply imbedded in our political sys-
tenn no sensible man asked or antici-
pated. But, without entering into
details, 1t was only reasonable to
suppose that under the circumstances
the general course of the adminiStra
ton would be such as to leave no
valid pretence to a succeeding adj
ministration for a general partisan
sweep. This expectation, however,
has been fulfilled only in the Washing
ton departments, where large pro-
portion of the force has been I'M
changed. In regard to the course of
the executive upon this subject we
have spoken plainly, not sparing cen
sure, but not assuming Inconsistency
of action and even violations of
pledges, amid unforeseen difficulties
and with divided sense of duty, to
indicate merely duplicity and dishon-
esty- With all just condemnation
and sincere regret fully expressed, it
Is still true that no other administra-
ton since the spoils system was in
PRODUCED has closed with so many
political opponents in the public ser
vice This also is fact creditable to |
the administration upon which every |
patriotic citizen may congratulate
himself. President Cleveland has not |
been favorite with his party, but |
there IS no doubt whatever that in |
his character and in his public views
he represents, notwithstanding his |
late defeat, the sole hope of his party |
hereafter. No democrat for a half |