Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-01-28
Ex-PREsIDENT CLEVELAND.

HIS Views on the Campaign OF 1904
ana Fidelity GO the Tariff issue.
Prefers some One Else 60 Lead the
Democratic Hosts.
DIR. Morrison Munford, the editor oil
the Kansas City Times, had an interview
with ex President Cleveland last week in
New York. and telegrapbed II to his
paper Mr.. Cleveland. Editor Munford
says, warmed TO the subject OF tariff re-
form and has lost none Of the zeal which
inspired his celebrated message.
1T is a most gratifying thing to me.
Mr.. Mumford reports Mr.. Cleveland as
saying, that the masses as well as the
leaders Of the party are taking hold OF
the tariff issue with such spirit and evi>
dent determination To win. Even now.
when there are no elections pending. they
are discussing this question with as much
earnestness az II 10 the heat of presi-
dental campaign. My letters from every
part Of tbs country show the extent and
depth of the agitation. When the peo-
pie think about thing thoroughly and
dispassionately they do not fall into mis-.
takes, and they are now aroused and max
ing a personal application to themselves
of the effect OF undue taxation SO great
is the number of letters receive, asking
my views, requesting documents aud In
viting me 10 attend meetings and make
speeches. that TO give them proper atten-
ton Is task beyond my power TO per-
form"
Il was genuinely pleased to find in
Boston, among men who arc consiitu
tionally conservatives degree of earnest
hess and fervor beyond that of men en-
gagged In politics. From nay observations
there aud In New York and from my cor
respondence l conclude that the thinking
men OF the nation are msssed almost SOL
idly on the side of tariff reform. What.
ever may be our ups and downs there is
no danger as TO the destiny of party
which absorbs the best brains, intelli-
gence and honesty Of the country. and
the cause which draws these elements to
its support is sure of ultimate triumph ="
Mr.. Munford then called Mr.. Cleve-
lands attention to the fact that the DEM
ocrstic party was already preparing for
1899, and said that IL was looking for
ward to that camIaign with expectancy
and confidence and the sentiment was
virtually unanimous that Mr.. Cleveland
should be the leader.
"As to that" Mr.. Munford then quotes
Mr. Cleveland as saying. lit is the cause
and not personal considerations that
should concern us. am so we'll situat-
ed now that II | consulted my own feel
ings | would prefer to have some one
else take the lead"
"But." said MIR Munford, mo one else
is thought OF among the demo cratic
Masses" and to this Mr.. Cleveland Is
credited with the following reply:
"Men who have elements of leadership
develop rapidly, aud II is long time till
1892. II Is not a matter Of men, hut of
principles. IL would be pity not to
carry forward the work which the party
has 80 grandly inaugurated, and there
ought to be no halt until the ends aimed
at are compassed and the people are in
full possession of the benefits and bless
ings which an accumulation OF inequali-
ties. called into existence by apathy on
one side and self-interast on the other,
have diverted from them. rejoice to
feel that the democratic party is the re-
pository Of the best principles aud pur-
poses; that Its ranks TEEN with the young
manhood of the country. and that 1t en-,
joys complete monopoly of every
American policy not merely sectional or
time serving"