Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-03-06
An Oas,. in Political Deserr.

Nearly a generation ago the American
children, under the lead of Moses Lin.
coin, abandoned the fertile regions oil
democracy and moved into the republi-
can wilderness. Their marchings. their
encampings. their number of sspguinsry
battles, their sufferings and triumphs
were as numerous and variable as those
of the forty,fears' journey Of the children
of Israel. They sinned; they were pun
ished: they were bitten by svenging SER
pents; they were choked by thirst; they
died OF hunger; they were smitten by
pestilence, and decimsted with the sword
of the destroying angel.
Tweuty-four years later the afflicted
remnants who were struggling through
the desert reached democratic oasis in
t. which they entered and remained for
four years. Now they leave this demo-
cratic rest and commence once more their
march in the wilderness,
The uneasy children of Israel exhibited
the same chsngefulness of purpose. No
sooner had they secured land flowing
with milk and honey than their pride be-
came so great and iniquitous that they
were driven again to the wilderness to
become educated through suffering for
battle OF life. Destiny, outraged at the
vanity, the sins, the idolstry of this peo-
pie, has thrown them once more adrift on
the desert. In this we will be compelled
to wander for time, till. purged Of our
transgrcssions. we shall be permitted TO
return to the promised land.
One might pursue this Hebrew parallel
to a much greater extent and discover a
wonderful likeness between the march Of
the errsnt children of Israel and this ma
ton in its journeyings within the last
generation. One might point out how,
during the residence of the nation in this
democratic oasis. it became idolatrous, in
the erection of golden calf before which
sll have bowed in worship; III the build
ing of temples for the enthroning of the
heatbenish deities, tariff. trusts, monop-
olies; and more especially the diversion
Of the allegiance Of the democratic high
priests to the Baal Of mugwumpery.
Passing from this biblical view of the
matter TO one of another kind. IL may be
said that the regime which ends now
has been at least u pacific one. Business
interests have all through il been undis>
turbed in their feelings of permanence
and security. Confidence In this direc-
ton is one of the best tests of the value
OF an administration.
Mr. Cleveland has done as well as
could be expected in view of his environ
ment. He would have given greater sat-
istaotion had he not been embarrassed By
an entaugling civil act and by
obstacles offered by the mugwump ele-
ments. Between the demands of this
class and those OF certain democrats. he
had Scylla on one side and Chsrvodis on
the other. To escape crashing against
one or the other of the rocks was an inn
possibility. That be passed through
without being left total wreck is someS
thing vergiug on the marvellous.
The heresy of his worship at the shrine
of the mugwump Joss is stoaed for by
bis orthodoxy in the support OF tariff re
form. He olung TO II through all sorts
of clamor, opposition. representation
and malevolent abuse; and posterity will
not fail to recognize his fidelity to the
grsndest truth Of the age.
II may be said OF Mr.. Cleveland that he
is too phlemstic, too cold and unsympa-
thetic; that with less torpor IN his nature
uc WOulu udNc CTe6ltu LuOIC
aroused more active allies to assist him in
HIS work. He has made few adherents
aud has slienated many who were willing
TO aid him to the uttermosj. He failed
TO awaken enthusiasm among the people
when the issue was presented OF his re-
election. He has none OF the electric
qualities which thrill the people and unite
them in a solid mass for action.
His administration has been eminently
a decent one. politically. morally, socially
and financially. There cannot be charged
to 1t any serious blunders; it has received
the cordial respect of other nations. and
stands well In the estimate Of the intelli.
gent and bipartisan elements Of this
country. There is no one who will
challenge Mr.. Ceveland's honesty or his
fidelity 10 his official duties
Relieving immensely the monotony OF
the presidents career is the light thrown
over 1t by his lovely end courageous wife
She has lightened its gloom with an efful'
gent brilliancy radiating from her sunny
nature. The charming romance OF the
marriage; her appearance before the peo'
pie OF the country; her grsciousness anc
beauty, have all aided 10 illuminate TIT
official career of Mr.. Cleveland, and rem
der II less dull and unattrsctive than i
would have been without her influence