Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-08
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A PRESIDENTIAL scoLD.

A PRESIDENTIAL SCOLD.
nar. Cleveland's Remarkable Letter to the
Boston Free-Trade League.
Mr.. Cleveland's letter to the Boston Free
Trade League IS an insult TO the American
people. They ought to thank God every
might that each sunset shortens his expiring
term by one day. The Presidential office
mas never before been so prostituted to the
dissemination OF personal whims, and so
dwarfed TO the dimensions OF narrow
egotism as it has been and Is by the present
incumbent. A tyro in craftsmanship and a
NOVICE in National affairs, ignorant of polit-
ical history and political economy, IN
acquainted with the resources of the coun-
try or the temper of the people, installing
himself for the Nation, his vagaries for
principles and his prejudices Tor convic-
lions, he is the very type and model of what
President ought not to be. The people,
says the Indianapolis Journal, never gave
better proof of their common sense and
capacity for self-government than they did
by refusing to re-elect him. 1t was not to
be expected that "a man of destiny" in
iated with the chihera of his own per
sonality and divine right 10 rule, should
his proffered services for a second term,
but he might at least cease TO use the Office
for the purpose Of insulting them.
The letter to the Massachusetts Free
Trade League is in the spirit of the Presi-
dents late message, though, if possible, in
worse temper. He scolds like fish-wife,
and hardly keeps within the limits of lin
tyuistic decency The burden of it is abuse
20 +bo ,,aopla for rerud,atinu his free-trade
notions Those who agree with him are re-
ferred to as "patriotic and unsel6sh,"
while the 5,436,627 American citizens who
voted against him are implied to be the re-
verse He congratulates himself and the
free traders on not being actuated "by
any sordid motives" and assigns this as
reason why they can boldly ''attack the
strongholds of selfshness and greed"
1.-THE strongholds of selfishness and
greed are the twenty States that voted
for General Harrison, and the strOngholds
of true patriotism are the eighteen States
that voted for Grover Cleveland. No para
phrase can do justice TO the following pas
sage:
Our institutions were constructed in
purity of purpose and love for humanity.
Their operation is adjusted to the touch Of
suits, under such guidance, must be the
prosperity and happiness of our people; and
so long as the advocates of tariff reform ap-
preciate the sentiments in which our insti-
buttons bad their origin; so long as they APP
prehend the forces which alone can guide
their operation; so long as they, in a spirit
of true patriotism, are consecrated to the
service of their country, temporary defeat
brings no Encouragement. 1t but proves
the stubbornness of the forces of combined
selfishness, and dlscloses how far the peo-
pie have been led astray, and how great is
the necessity of redoubled efforts in their
behalf To lose faith in the intelligence of
the people is a surrender and an abandon
ment of the struggle. To arouse their in
tellgence. and free it from darkness and
delusion, gives assurance Of speedy and
complete victory"
The idea sought to be conveyed in this
muddy mess of verbiage Is, that we have
departed very far from the original purpose
and spirit of the constitution; that the idea
of the trainers and founders of the Govern
ment has been lost sight of, and that the
people are developing an alarming incapacity
for self-government. This was the idea Of
the late message, also. Here we are told,
almost in so many words, that National
virtue and patriotism are extinct; that the
has been diverted and prosti-
tuted from its original purpose; that the
people have been led astray by selfish lead
Brs and interests, and that their lntelil-
gence is encompassed by darkness and de-
lusion." All this because the country re-
pudiated Grover Cleveland's free trade
whlms He is awful sorry TO see the people
thus rushing headlong to destruction, and
ne would save them from themselves If he
could by ''redoubled efforts in their behalf
W hat a pity his time is so short. Perhaps he
could be induced to act as assistant savior
Oh the retired list.
Nothing in the entire range of Cleveland's
ignorance is more remarkable than his as
sumption that the constitution was framed
md the early administration Of the Govern
pent conducted IN the interest of free trade.
de is forever prating about =" the sentiments
n which our institutions had their orlgin,'
about our departure from the purity OF
purpose" which characterized the fathers,
and that sort of thing. The people whose
ignorance he laments are not yet SO beSotted
put they can read, and history tells them
that MIR. Cleveland's assumption in this re-
gard is utterly untrue. One of the main
objects of the trainers Of the constitution,
and one of the strongest arguments IN favor
IF its adoption, was to secure a policy Of
national protection and development. The
fathers all favored protective tariff One
Of the first acts of the First Congress was
an act for laying a duty on goods, wares
and merchandise imported into the United
States" All the early history of the Gov
eminent was identified with the protection
IF American industry. The departure from
the spirit of the constitution began when
the Southern wing OF the Democratic party
began to agitate and advocate free trade,
and it continued to depart till 1t brought on
the war. The Republican party by re-es-
tablishing the protective-tariff policy on q
irm basis has restored the constitution 10
its original intent and purpose. These are
facts known TO most people, but evidently
not TO Mr. Cleveland. When he goes out OF
office, if he has time, he should read the his
tory of the United States.
President Free from Pledges.
The country Is realizing the advantage OF
O President who will go into Office absolute
~ without embarrassing pledges of any