The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-10-24

EiII, looks very much like preconcerted
arrangement. When, In almost every IN
stance, advocacy OF his claims is coupled
with disparagement of Cleveland, the
suspicion almost becomes a certainty
that the united effort rests on something
more than coincidence. Every paper has
an undoubted right to express its pre-
ference for candidate. But that prefer
ence should be based on the character
and availability of the candidate and not
be q reflection OF the intrigues Of manag-
ing politicians. With Cleveland as the
nominee of the democratic party, the
work done during the campaign of 1888
and the growth of free trade ideas since,
Will rebound to the advantage OF the
democratic party. With Hill it will be a
campaign de moro. Viewed as a question
OF policy it may be considered proceed
ing Of doubtful wisdom to reject the
splendid foundation which has been laid
for the temporary popularity of a man
whose political methods are open to sus-
picion. Il, as eome claim with evident
reason, Cleveland erred in delaying his
tariff reform message, the error was amply
compensated for by the courageous and
uneauiyocal position he took and is fully
cured by the lapse of time and the growth
of opinion toward the principles he enun-
1iated with such force and brilliancy.
Granted that he treated as his discover
les, principles which were dear to the
democracy for years, he was the first man
in position to give authoritative utter
ance who had the courage to commit the
democracy unqualifedly to these princi-
pies. We had been temporizing, hesitat-
ing uncandid; we were at once lifted to a
plane in which we are positive, aggressive,
and outspoken. Is it wise when we have
gathered to our support the Intelligence
and honest conviction OF the country to
degrade our standard and look for VIC
tory through equivocation?
Has Governor Hill ever given voice to q
sentiment which makes his position on
the tariff question clearly understood
Being the friend of Randall and the
choice of the \. Y. Sun are circumstances
sufficient to cast doubt upon his most
outspoken advocacy of hostility to the
protection ideas. But We are not even
given hint that he is not protection
| ha nd
army we have organized and disciplined
| and tell them that the truths we taught
them were pure fallacies and that, after
all. Sam Randall and The n. Y. Sun are
the fountains of pure political belief?
| Can the democrats of the country be
convinced that Hill was not treacherous
to Cleveland, treacherous at a time wher
| the principle of tariff revision was al
stake, when every DEMOCRAT forgot per
sonal ambitions and fought for PRINCIPLE
! when those who were not with us were
| against us,and the treacherous friend more
to be dreaded than the open enemy:
After reading Hills malicious reference
to the use of cyclopedias by Cleveland
for his facts, thus endorsing the petty
slurs OF republican journals during the
last campaign, can We be SO mean-spirited
as to accept HIM for our leader?
Two often, thoughtlessly, the local pa
| pers form their opinions from the editor.
ial utterances of the daily press. The
| Chicago Herald and the Oshkosh Times
evidently In pursuance of some policy
formulated by Hills lieutenants, are seek
ing to influence opinion in favor of Hill
There Is not an argument that can be
used in favor Of Hill and against Cleve-
principle and scramble for votes. The
local press can easily checkmate any such
movement and keep the party constant
TO its better purpose. The nominee need
not necessarily be Cleveland; but it
should be some one who fought for the
right against intrenched monopoly and
unnatural restraints upon commercial
freedom. The issue is made up and
should DO broadened, not abandoned or
narrowed by the dictates of expediency.
We want no Randalls or Hills whose
economic beliefs made them lukewarm
in the last campaign, or whose ambitions
made them treacherous. We must not
throw to the winds the harvest of faith
We have reaped, the confidence we have
inspired or the strength we have gather
ed. There is victory, honorable victory,
in store for us If we are true to our con-
victions and opposed to every thing which
in its nature compromising.
THREE of the Wis. University students
L. L. L.