Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1889-05-17
CLEVELAND STILL LEADER.

CLEVELAND STILL LEADER.
The following interesting article
was written by r. A. Carrie, and pub
lished In Sundays Pioneer Press. It
repeats what all political observers
are noting that the fight in the
Democratic party between the free
traders and protectionists is far from
settled: 3d.. .. 49, u . .. =. "a
The significant incident Of the centennial
celebration In New York was the popular
ovation to Cleveland. Whether this was spon-
taneous or prcarranged It means the Sane thing.
It was the most public denomination possible
Of a fact to which scores Of minor half unnoted
Incidents have testified. The only man who
has led the national Democracy to victory for
more than a generation is not only still an
aspirant to its Leadership but his pretensiona are
welcomed and recognized by the great maj rity
Of its rank and file. Cleveland never was the
idol of the Democracy, He Is not the stuff Of
which popular idols are made. But he was the
trusted leader Of the masses of his party, and he
u 10 no less III defeat than In victory. His
position is in some remote sense analogous to
that of Tilden. and the sentiment cherished to.
ward him by some millions OF Democratic voters
may easily grow into the same romantic alteration
the elder leader enjoyed. Like Tilden, Ceve-
land, 10 pitied as Q victim and may soon be
worship ed Is 4 martyr-not to the successful
Vaccinations Of the enemy, but to treachery
In his own camp.
This sentiment in relation to Cleveland has
been increasing ever since his defeat 1t has
gained power and extent with double rapidtty
since he left the White House. This is pretty
good place to note the direction and test the
currents Of public feeling. and II there is any
truth In the Indications to be read here Cleve.
! land il still the most popular man in his party
more desired and trusted As leader than
when he was nominated at st. Louis. II this
feeling keeps on growing for three years more
II 1t can be kept alive in its present strength his
denomination for the presidency Is IS much 8
! foregone conclusion as it was for months before
the Democratic convention Of 1885, 1t is true I
great many things may happen IN three years
and there are plenty Of other Democratic
aspirauts to the presidency vigilantly READY t.
take advantage Of whatever may happen
4
IL dangerous thing in politics.
| for the fellow who cannot inspire it. sentimen
made 3 senile and wizencd paralytic the choser
knight and idolized leader Of the Democratic
party for ten years. It may do Is much for
! lusty aud middle-ased partisan. Whitney'i
! wealth, Hills shrewdness and Palmers wal
| record would count Tor little against such 70
| mantle popularity as that which upheld the
martyr Of 1876; should it be revived in favor o.
| the betrayed leader of 1888.
Long headed Democratic politicians view
| with alarm these evidences Of Cleyeland's senti
! mental popularity with the masses. Their ALARM
| is not all seldSh either. Some of them may bt
jealous of him but more dread his nomination
l because they see in him means Of division ant
| therefore of weakness TO the party. The Demo
cratic party is rent in twain on economic issues
1t can only poll its full vote on a platform tina
! dodges and under leader without a record. Ii
| 1884 it won with leader whose opinions were a.
obscure az his history and a platform that in
geniously looked one way for the East, ant
another way for the South and West. In 1888
| lost with leader whose economic doctrine wa
blazoned to the world in a message to congress
l and q platform whose doube-iaced platltude
i u
endorsement of the Mills bill. The defeat OF 1888
| was ghastly problem for 1892. which darken
and lowers from day to day as growing evidence
Of Clevelands enduring hold upon the leader
ship ensure repetition Of the conditions of 1888
This is why sagacious Democrat!
politicians do not find comfort II
clevelands popularity with the masse
Of the party They see In his denomination tn
ce rtainty of party division OH the tariff and tn
loss Of New York. Indiana ant
Connecticut, if not Of the Virginias and Nortl
Carolina. They will defeat him ii they can, art
cast about for q candidate who can stand on
meaningless platform without giving danger
Gus meaning to it by the reading OF his owl
record. There are more formidable obstacles IT
Cleveland's denomination than his rival for tn
presidency, the trickster and traitor of New
York. He has to deal with the element in hi
party, in whose name Randall defied him, which
Barnum represented and with which Gormsr
sympathizes. This element has bsen rampan
| and aggressive since election. 1t could hardl!
be restrained from dancing on Cleveland's sup
| posed political grave last winter. 1t oppose
him not II the interest of any rival for tn
presidency. but in the rame Of material inter
l ests and economic convictions 1t holds dear. l
4 II not to be bribcd or modified, aud its feu'
with him and the economic wing Of the part!
allied to him is mortal. With sentimental
/ popular uprising for Cleveland OH the one sid
and war to the death declared against him by
substantial contingent Of his party on the othe
| tho Democratic convention of 1892 will have
difficult and delicate piece of work cut out for it