The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-01-30
Cleveland Interviewed.

New YORK. January 22.-Morrison Nun
son, the editor of the Kansas City Times,
who is visiting in New York, had an
interesting interview with ex-President
Cleveland, an account of which he tele-
graphed his paper tonight The following
portions Of general interest are taken:
Mr.. Cleveland has lost none of the zeal
for tariff reform which inspired his cele-
brated message. at is most gratifying
thing to me-" he said, "that the masses as
well as the leaders are taking hold of the
tariff issue with such spirit and evident de-
termination to win. Even when there are
no elections pending they are discussing
this question with as much earnestness
as in the heat of a presidential cam
paign. Ny letters from every part of
the country show the extent and depth of
the agitation. When people think about a
thing thoroughly and dispassionately they
do not tall into mistakes and they are now
aroused and making personal application
to themselves of the effect of undue taxa
ton. So great is the number of letters
asking my views, requesting documents,
and inviting me to attend meetings and
make speeches that to give them proper
attention is beyond any power to perform"
A glance at Mr.. Cleveland's desk con-
firmed this remark. His personal mail is
probably larger than that of any private
citizen of the United Sta,es, and shows how
completely the tariff agitation has stirred
up the country. The effort demanded in
replying to letters from earnest and active
tariff reformers makes very serious tax
on his time, but | reminded him of the
good he was doing and said the enthusiasm
with which his utterances were received
was the best evidence / had of the temper
of the public as to the tariff.
Referring to his Boston speech: "I was
genuinely pleased" resumed Mr.. Cleve-
land, ITO find in Boston among men who
are constltutionally conservative degree
of earnestness and fervor beyond that of
men engaged in politics. From ny
observation there and in New York and
| from my correspondence | conclude that
the thinking men of the nation
are massed almost solidly on the side of
tariff reform. Whatever may be our ups
and downs, there is no danger to the des-
| tiny of the party which absorbs the best
brains, intelligence and honesty of the
country, and the cause which draws these
elements to its support is sure of ultimate
| triumph"
then said to Mr.. Cleveland that the
| Democratic party was already preparing
| for 1892 and looking forward to that cam
paign with expectancy and confidence, and
that the sentiment was virtually unanimous
| that he should be our leader.
las to that" he replied, "it is the cause
and not personal considerations thai should
concern u.s. am so we'll situated now that
if consulted my own feelings l would pre-
fer to have some one else take the lead"
But" | said, mo one else is thought of
among the Democratic masses"
"Men who have the elements of leader
ship develop rapidly, and it is long time
till 1892. 1t is not matter of men but of
principle. 1t would be pity not
to carry forward the work
which the party has so grandly
inaugurated and there ought to be no halt
until the ends aimed at are comprised, and
people are in the full possession of the
benefits and blessings which an accumula-
ton of the qualities called in existence by
apathy on one side and self
interest on the other have diverted
from them. l rejoice in feeling
that the Democratic party is the depository
of the best principles and purposes that
its ranks TEEN with the intelligent young
manhood of the country; that it enjoys a
complete monopoly of every American pol
icy, not merely sectional or time serving"