The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-01-30
AN INTERVIEW WITH MR.. CLEVE-
land


E1-President Cleveland was interview
ed at New York yesterday by Morrison
Munford of the Kansas City Times, wi o
sent the following to his paper: Mr..
Cleveland has lost none of the zeal fer
tariff. reform. which inspired his celebra-
ted message. 1T is most gratifying
thing to me-" he said, '.that the masses,
as well as the leaders of the party, are
taking hold of,the tariff issue with such
spirit and evident determination to win.
Even now, when there are no elections
pending, they are discussing this ques-
ton with as much earnestness as if in the
heat Of presidential campaign. My let
tiers from every part of the country show
the extent and depth of the agitation.
So great is the number of letters / re-
ceived asking my views, requesting docu-
ments and inviting me to attend meet
ings and make speeches, that to give
them proper attention is beyond my
power to perform" A glance at Mr..
Cleveland's desk confirmed his remark.
His personal mail is probably larger than
that of any private citizen of the United
States, and shows low completely the
tariff question has stirred up the country..
The effort demanded in replying to the
letters from earnest and active tariff re-
formers makes very serious tax on his
time. But reminded him of the good
he was doing, and he said that the en-
received was the best evidence he had of
the temper of the public as to tGiif re-
form, notably as to his Boston speech.
Il was genuinely pleased" said Mr..
Cleveland, ito find in Boston, among men
who are constitutionally conservative, a
degree OF earnestness and fervor beyond
that of men engaged in politics. From
my observations there and in New York,
and from by correspondence, | conclude
that the thinking men of the nation are
massed almost solidly on the side of tariff
reform. What ever may be our ups and
downs, there is no danger as to the des-
tiny of 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
I thon 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, sit is the cause,
ana not personal consideration, that
| should concern us. am so well situated
now that, if / consulted my own feelings,
/ would prefer to have some one else take
the lead.'
But" said I, mo one else is thought
of among the democratic masses"
Men who have elements of leadership
develop rapidly, and it is long time till
1892" quickly replied the ex-president.
ut is not matter of men, but of princi-
Piles. 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
compassed and the people are in full pos
session of the benefits and blessings
which an accumulation of inequalities
called into eAistencs by apathy, on one
side, and self-interest on the other, have
diverted from them. I rejoice in feeling
that the democratic party is the reposi-
tory of the best principles and purposes
that its ranks TEEN with the intelligent
young manhood OF the country, that it
enjoys complete monopoly of every
American policy not merely sectional Oh
| time-serving."