Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-15
A Nations Frugality.

Mr.. CLEVELAND was HhppJ ia no
THURMAN-banquet speech in his refer
ence to "the bracing and wholesome at
mosphere OF accompanying frugality
and economy in which the moral and
mental attributes of our people shave
been firmly knit and inyigorated."
Before the great drama Of 1916
curtained OIL the past that was associated
with Colonial and Revolutionary history
our people knew and thought vast deal
more than they do now Of "the patriot
fathers" Tales of conflicts with the
aborigines traditions of heroism and
suffering in the wilderness of the new
world, and recollections of Revolutions
" and 1912 soldiers were in every house
bold then, but are forgotten now. In
this age Of luxury and money-maklng
the faIthest retrospect the average citi-
zen cares to indulge in is the late war.
Rarely nowadays is thought given to
the courage and frugality which was re-
quired and possessed by the founders of
this republic.
The war between tho States, which
impoverished the South and subjected
us TO hardships rivalling those suffered
by the colonists in their resistance to
Great Britain, brought to the North an
era of rapid fortune-making mammoth
railway corporations. kings of the
money-market, and luxuries of life be-
fore unknown. The simple habits OF
other days were swept away and will
never return. So far as specially re-
lated to community engaged in sub
DUNG new country their return is not
necessary or to be expected, but III
every other respect we might well de-
sire to have them again.
Mr.. CLEVELAND believes as we Demo
Gratis all do, "that our Government i'll
It's natural integrity is exactly suited to
frugal and economical people, and Is
safest in the hands of those who have
been made strong and self-reliant in
their citizenship by self-denying and 10y
the surroundings of an enforced econ
omy. Thrift and careful watchfulness
of expenditure among the people tend
TO secure a thrifty government; and
cheap and careful living on the part of
individuals ought to enforce economy in
the public expenditures.
"When, therefore, men in high places
of trust, charged with tho responsibility
of making and executing our laws, not
only condemn but fippantly deride
cheapness and economy within the homes
of our people, and when the expendi-
lures OF the Government are
reckless and wasteful," Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND declares, "we may be sure that
something is wrong with US, and that
condition exists which calls for a vigo-
rous and resentful defence of American
ism, by every man worthy to DO called
an American citizen"
And Just here he made strong claim
for the Democratic party as the party OF
the people-the plain people-and was
justified in thinking that the noise Of O
recent political revolution had demon
strated that there is a point beyond
which they cannot be led "by blind
craftsmanship"
Throughout his speech Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND gave evidence of that sturdy
mentality which makes him great
leader. The fight which he opened in
his tariff message he continued in spirit
il not in terms, and it must have been
hard to tell at tho banquet whether the
venerable guest of the evening or the ex-
President was more admired.
Ofcourse Mr.. CLEVELAND is in the field
for the presidential nomination. II the
tide Of November 4th was impelled by
the cause to which he ascribes it, it
seems but natural that he should be our
leader again, but we must study the field
closely before coming to determination.
We cannot afford to risk everything on a
within of New York faction. Perhaps,
should Governor Hill be elected to the
United Staes Senate, with clear under
standing that that is his full reward,
the question will be easier OF solution.
At any rate we are bound to give Mr..
Cleveland our admiration, and TO COM
mend his efforts to recall the country
to virtues which gave it its indepen-
dence and which alone can sustain it in
tho troubles to which heartless politi-
clans and soulless spectators may sub
ject it.