New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-29
Mr. CLEyELAND'S DINNER.


The great Democratic dinner TO Mr.. Cleve-
land had some interesting aspects which ought
NOT to pass UNDECIDED. The chief Of these was
the purely political nature of the gathering
looking solely to the future Of the party, and
in effect, though not in words, presenting him
as its predestined candidate in 1892. The
pretext that the dinner was TO be house
warming to Mr.. Cleveland as a Newly ork
lawyer, a welcome from new neighbors, had
only the scantiest tribute Of respect even from
the ex- President himself. His speech was that
Of man who believed himself to be the leader
of his party, and whose mind was absorbed
with the consideration Of its prospects. NO
one can doubt, after reading his speech, that
he expects TO be the Democratic nominee. All
Mr.. Cleveland's actions, however, since no
recovered from the first shock of defeat, and
especially since the end Of his term, have shown
that he is candidate. Time was when he was
regardless of the opinion Of his party, and
moved boldly forward, rechlessly self-confident
and even arrogant But defeat seems to havo
sobered him somewhat. His deneanor upon
all public occasions since has been that OF a
man who is beginning to appreciate the adyan-
tages of popularity. Mr.. Cleveland is moro
than willing to be President again. He is
anxious, and he shows it.
Another striking incident was the bitterness
of feeling shown between the followers OF
Cleveland and Hill. "The Sum- which is
notably friendly to the Governor says that as
he rose to speak $50 of the 400 gentlemen
present remained seated smoking, and were
silent. The others cheered and endcavOred to
make UP for the display of disconrteSy." II
certainly does not promise we'll for the future
harmony of the party in the State which must
present Mr.. Clevesnds name, if he is to be
nominated, that an occasion Of compliment such
az this could not pass without this display Of
feeling, none the less marked because the
Cleveland men spoke their hatred Of Hill by
silence The Governor was cool enough, how
ever, to make an effective return thrust. His
declaration that at " other times wnen extreme
views have unfortunately been permitted to
prevail and unwise action taken, the Demo.
Gratis of Newly York although disappointed have
never suked in their tents and, though not
successful, have Loyalty defended their guns.
and have done their best to stem the tide Of
adverse public sentiment; and, while kcenly
realizing that possibly some one had blum
dered,' and that defeat probably awaited them
in the fierce contest they were waging, they
uniformly gave forth no sign Of discomfort, but
exhibiting the same valor that characterized the
gallant charge Of the Light Brigade, always
performed their duty without complaint or
ouestion"-cOuld not have been misunderstood
by any one present. The extreme views
were the free-trade opirions Of tho distin-
guished guest Of the evening, and the blum
der' was the famous message. II is not un-
likely that Mr.. Cleveland will he nominated.
THE TRIBUNE certainly wants him TO be, but
we expect to have an interesting time watching
him get there.
Among the minor incidents not without sig.
nifcance was the presence Of Mr.. Charles X.
Miller, the gentleman who edits "The New
York Times for Mr.. George Jones. whenever
that gentleman is in need Of intellectual re-
cuperation. THE Tines poses as an indie
pendent newspaper. THE TRIBUNE has insisted
for years that it has become simply a
Democratic organ, and now its Editor, Mr..
Miller, has had tho candor to confess as much
by joining with his acknowledgements in this
party tribute to Mr.. Cleveland. When the eX-
President addressed the asSemblage as My
| party friends he was not talking 10 Mugwumps
or Independents. All the speeches were by
Democrats of Democrats, to Democrats. The
dinner was given under the auspices Of the
Young Mems Democratic Club. If there were
any Independents present we do not recognize
their names in the printed list. Mr. Miller says
in his paper: Probably no reactionary and
| old.fashiOned Democrats ventured to sit at meat
with the Young Mems Democratic Club and
| ex- President Cleveland at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel last night" Oh, no! We recognize
among the list of gentlemen with whom Mr.
Miller sat at meat that distinguished Civil Ser
vice Reformer the Hon. Tim" Campbell; that
! eminent Mugwump, Boss Power; that incor-
rupdble patriot, Senator 81 Mike" Murphy that
literally progressive statesman, Ashbel p
Fitch; that famous political dude, 4" Tom" Cos
tigan that jealous and high-minded Independ-
ent, Jimmy" Oliver, and many others equally
distinguished for their stern fidelity to the lofti-
est ideals Of poi. cs. No doubt Mr.. Miller en-.
| ,.,nl IL. J;,nor ua unust have felt that he