The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-23
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER %. 1890.
THE ENEMIES HE HAS MADE

THE ENEMIES HE HAS MADE.
In another column appears this morning
an article ia opposition 10 Mr.. Cleveland
We publish 1t in order TO give the strongest
expression Of opposition to Mr.. Cleveland
which can well be made, believing that the
fullest discussion can only conduce TO the
strength Of Mr.. Cleyeland's place in the
confidence OF his party. We wish TO en-
phasize in the beginning Of this comment
upon parts OF the communication the
question: "Is it practical politics TO assail
inferentially or openly leader in follow
ing whom the people have swept away
politicians Of both parties in this countryF'
In the first place, the press does not claim
10 be the people. 1t merely claims 10 echo
public sentiment, and TO aid IN the creation
OF public sentiment. That newspaper, just
as that politician, is most successful. which
is able 10 get nearest the heart Of the people.
That is why the great mass Of the news
papers Of this country are found 10 be call
ing upon the greatest politician in the Demo-
cratic party 10 become the Presidential can
didate in 1892.
IL is,pot a question Of the South or any
other section having him as the fayOrite.
The recent elections have demonstrated
that a majority Of the people of the country
favor him by fayoring the great reform
the tariif-which be so powerfully and fear
lessly emphasized. Taking the House Of
Representatives of 1891 as guide to the
wishes Of the people, it will be
observed that should the South
be omitted the majority Of the people are in
favor of tariff reform. And when TO the
majority the South is added, the power Of
the people is so great that practical poll
ticians would do Nell to pause for mo-
ment before committing themselves against
the man who brought on the recent decisive |
conflict.
Mr.. Cleveland is not perfect. He has his |
faults just as anybody else. lie has made |
some mistakes. But objections which can
be brought against his administration fade
into insignificance before the fact that he
did at least two things of benefit to the
county. He demonstrated that the cry Of
the "Rebel Brigaders" was false and used
only by relentless Radicalism. The people
sustained him in this position. Then he
fairly and squarely gave the country an IS
sue, tariff reform. in the consideration OF
which Mason and Dixon's line has
been obliterated. We think that
in this respect Grover Cleveland showed
,noat Intimate oc,uofntouco not or,I, NTH |
the wishes OF the people, but with what we I
regard the great fundamental princi pies of
In settling the vexed tariil ,
question many of the financial difficulties Of g
the country would find solution, whether 5
il was that Of silver or the dream of the .
scheme. Though the Farmers Alliance
may make mistakes-and il Is doing so-it l.
did not mako mistake i'm sup h
PORTING in all parts of these United States "
he tariff reform principles of Grover Cleye- N
and. :
MIR. Cleveland did not advocate free raw "a
Material for the benefit OF other States to 4
he loss of Virginia, or any other Southern
tate. His position on this point may best
e read in the words Of his famous message
( December, 1887. lie wrote: "The radi- !"
al reduction Of the duties impc sed upon b,
aw material used in manufactures. or IFS th
rec importation, is Of course an impoi tant 81
actor in any effort TO reduce the prices of n
lese necessaries; 1t would not only re-
eve them from the increased cost
aused by the tariff on such mate
al, but the manufactured product being u
lus cheapened, that part of the tariff now or
I'D upon such product, as a compensation "a "a
our manufactures for the present price of Of,
wv material, could be accordingly modi- en- en-
"a. such reduction, or free importation. pa
ould serve besides to larg ~ reduce the 40,
venue. Ii is not apparent how such pa
ange can have any injurious effects upon VI ,an
If, manufacturers. On the contrary. it I
)uld appear TO give them better chance w,
foreign markets with the manufacturers vi
other countries, who cheaper their wares NJ
free material. Thus our people might Sc
va tho onnor,,r,,v of o,.,a,,ai,,,, ~. RlC
les beyond the limits of home cOnsump. :
n, saving them from the depression. inter- S Hc,
ption in business, and loss caused by o
ltted domestic market, and atlorling ~ n
'ir employees more certain and steady ticI
'or, with its resulting quiet and content IA q
mt" cut
lr. Cleveland was not opposed TO the "a "a
lsion system. He merely used his ex- ope
tive power 10 block those raids Upon the one
asury, which not only were robbery Of
taxpayers, but an insult TO those men
0 should receive any pension granted. IT
is conceded he is not robber. And SaII,
,elaud demonstrated pretty firmly that \ue
only was he not a rObber, but thar he Cav
aid do all in his power to prevent the The
pie being robbed by unjust pension legis- furn
on, or by the protective tariff has
@ undoubtedly staked his election upon pres
II reform. But he was not sacrificed by grea
Protectionists in both par I've
did 1t, and deprived the people OF the iat .
they wished, and proteclionists pecu
responsible for all the attendant evils seen
sequent upon radical success. Radical while
ectionists contributed corruption funds. VIII
ars, who were too strongly prOtectonist
e in line with the great majority Of the IN
Die, the Democracy, were listless in VIII
support Of Cleveland, and some per. With
} worked actively for his defeat. the g
II the majority vote Of 1883 and that Of iaii
last election shows that the people re- yseal
Cleveland as the most honest, coul- Jan
'us and tenacious advocate OF the great being
ciple which distinguished Democracy boz
the enemy of the peOple-Radicalism assau
Tho