The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-14
MAN OLE TIE PEOPLE.

Naturally, the whole country was par
ticularly interested in what Grover Cleyc-
land might say at the Thurman banquet.
No matter what may be the occasion of his
public utterances, they are always sound,
safe and statesmanhke. Mr.. Cleveland
does not use a .columbiad to shoot snow
birds. lie does not travel around during a
campaign reducing Democratic majorites.
But when he talks, the great majority of the
people Of the United States is his enthusl-
astic audience. lie does not indulge in
campaign pyrotechnics, but speako honest
truths from his heart. The sim
plicity and directness of bis language is
his most powerful auxiliary. SO, as one Of
the people he spoke last night OF the people
10 the people. His speech would make
good editorial were it not too long, though
IL is not at all unlikely that some enthusi-
astic, but indOlent editor, will gladly re-
linquish all his editorial space for the
speech. The strength and vigor of Ameri-
can citizenship was his theme. -frugality
and economy he mentioned as important
factors In that citizenship, and from this
starting point carried his hearers rapidly
through the history of the past few months,
and showed clearly the bald falsehood Of
the position of those who would seek to
make the imposition Of robber tariff seem
easy by trying TO persuade the sufferers
that extravaganza in private and public
life was the desideratum, while frugality
was TO be despised. As Cleveland said:
"when, therefore, men in high places of
trust, charged with the responsibility of
making and executing our laws, not only
condemn but flippantly deride cheapness
and economy within the homes of our peo-
pie, and when the expenditures OF the Gov
eminent are reckless aud wasteful we may
be sure that something is wrong with us,
and that condition exists which calls for
a vigorous and resentful defense of Ameri-
canism by every man worthy TO be called
an American citizen"
People were actually hoodwinked for a
number Of years by such arguments, half
concealed by sectional hatred, false prom
ises and corruption, but at length they be-
gan 10 think. Like Crowley in the days of
King Arthur, they were reduced TO such
state that they were unwilling TO be per-
suaded that they were being imposed upon
by anybody. But the leayen Of reform in
troduced under Cleveland began TO work.
People began to feel the shoe pinch. They
began to realize that the amount of wages
was not determined by the number Of cents
In them, but by the amount OF food and
clothing they would secure; that money
was but the medium Of exchange and that
TO De told that il was wrong TO buy cheap
goods or provisions did not clothe OF feed |
their wives and children. They saw no benefit
10 be derived by them In paying prices artit- |
cially enhanced. so the plotter who had
schemed the robbery was arraigned by an
indignant people, which in free America
unite In themselves the prerogatiyes |
Of judge, jurors, prosecuting attorneys and
executioners. This time the jury box could |
not be so effectively packed as was the case |
two years before. Corruption funds were
scarcer and the jurors did not vote by depu-
ties. The foul and hideous monster called |
Radicalism was pronounced guilty by the
people and condemned 10 death. The
majority Of the people condemned
the system by voting against III the
rest by not voting in fayer Of
II. II there Is aay comfort In that fact for
schemers Of any political stripe they are
welcome 10 IL. Could the people have exc
cuted Radicalism At once they would have
done so. But they had respect for law, and
as the law stood in opposition to sudden
death II had TO be deferred until twJ years
or more hence. In the meantime the pris-
oner OF the PEOPLE was given the oppor,u-
nifty for repentance-o for suicide. Indiea-
Hons point 10 suicide, as from last reports the