The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1889-01-11

lwrl.ten tor the pnMocnArA


the merits of the Presidents farewell mes
sage are characteristic Of their respective
political sentiments. Such opinions are
valueless, because there Is no assurance
that they are sincere, A document Of this
Kind emanatlng from the President under
the circumstances confronting him, Is en-
titled to more than casual consideration
and hasty ill-informed partisan criticism.
For democrat to say It good and re-
publican to say Il Is bad,is all meaningless.
II throws no light on the paper and It
simply illustrates the restraint thrown
around the judgment of politicians.
Mr.. Cleveland has made his record, and II |
will SO down into history and be measured
by time for what 1t Is lily worth. It will
certainly be conspicuous, II only because
II is a break In the long line of republican
Administrations under the order of things
brought about by the war; His last annual
message,prepared as Il has been with great
! care, setting before the country his policy
and his important acts In manner intend
cd to give them the greatest justification,
suggesting the causes Of defeat, and warn
ing the people against the dangers that, in
his opinion, environ them, presents sub
jects that invite the attention of republicans
as well rs democrats.
II Is said by the republicans that the gen.
eral condition Of the country Is one of
prosperity, and that the outlook Is not so
hopeless as the President seems disposed
to make 1t. But he has not said that 1t Is
hopeless. He has merely warned the coun
try of its possible dangers. Eternal vigil.
lance is the price of prosperity as well as
of liberty. In the fairest weather the
safest ocean steamer keeps Its forward
watch on the lookout, and 1t Is the duty of
the Captain of the sea ship or the ship of
state to look out for trouble ahead and
promptly sound the warning, and not con.
tent himself with announcing a!Fs well
simply because everything about him Is
serene.
II Is TO be feared that the Presidents last
message will pass out of mems minds be-
cause he Is passing out of power. But in
truth Il Is because he Is passing out of
power that his words are OF more force. The
Temptation to one in such position Is to
augment the present we'll being, to declare
that everything looks cheering and then
leave the future to make comparison when
the inevitable mishaps of political manage
ment come to pass. Damage is not done
simply by the election. IL damage comes
it must ,ome from the new management
after it is installed and has its opportunity
for good or evil
The greatest evil of the times manifest'
itself in the attitude In which President
Cleveland is placed at this hour. There Il
a certain turning away from him, certain
betrayal of feeling that he is no longeI
the dispenser OF power and gifts that Is un'
generous and contemplate. This feeling
reveals itself in small ways as we'll as great
Perhaps the greatest revelation Is in th'
small things. Only the other day--a da,
long set aside ior the reception of thos'
who desired to pay their respects TO th'
President because they desired to hono
, him-when the appointed hour came ther'
were 50 few present that it was announced
very properly that there would be no re.
ception. His declining to make his appear
I, ance conveys the gratifying assurance tha
Mr.. Cleveland respects himself and the
great Office that he holds
1t has, at all times, been the III fortune oi
rulers to be forgotten when their successor
trip into power at their death. 1t has al
ways taken but one breath to exclaim tina
The king Is dead and to shout long life 4
the new king. But this Is royalty,n tina
: weak faySr of royalty that has become tn
fashion of the free-born American. Ye.
golden sunset closing the serenity Of fai
day may be a better symbol than the risinl
sun piercing clouds that may herald com
ing storm.
When the Presidents message was rea,
in the House the democrats roundly cheer
ed some Of its passages, while the repubi
cans sneeringly laughed aloud. Ii was i'll
hammered to say the least Of 1t. tits thu
in the prize ring, but not so with men whc
cross swords. When Grant and Lee me
at Appomattox after the fnaIstruggle the,
raised their hats. Barbarian warrior
dragged their capiiyes at their heels II
chains, and the brutal Britisher shout,
down his already defeated adversary in the
Commons. It is pity that our politica
encounters are SO dirty 10 the touch and sc
indecent in their exuItations of victory.
January 3rd, 1889.
YOUNG DEMOCRACY.