The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-23

played fast and loose with civil service re-
form, making clean sweep in some States,
as IN Indiana, and but few removals In
others.
Nor do Mr.. Cleyeland's autecodents give
assurance of his wisdom in the future.
Coming into office with but limited ex-
perlence in state, and none at all in Federal
affairs, without any theoretical or practical
acquaintance with the great fundamental
principles Of government, he acted with
such caprice as 10 convince the people
either that he thought he had been
elected upon his personal popularity
and could do as he pleased, or
that he thought himself superior to
the advice OF men who, In the nature OF
things, must have known great deal more
than he did The only services Of note that
Mr.. Cleveland rendered the country were
his courageous opposition To the pension
system, and his appointment Of the two
Democ rats 10 vacancies on the Supreme
bench But when he staked (and LOST his
election on the tariff, he gave the Republi-
cans the opportunity they have embraced to
establish the pension system; and gave Mr..
Harrison the appointment Of two judges to
offset Chief Justice Fuller and Mr.. Justice
Lamar. Besides which we owe the Lodge
bill and the Mckinley bill TO his obstinacy.
i cannot, therefore, see why the South
should force Mr.. Cleveland upon the people
of other sections, when we know that with
many Of their leaders he is not esteemed as
an able or as personally reliable man.
Especially we know that he is not as pOpu-
lar in New York as he was; and that his
nomination may cause as much disaster as
il did in 1883. when il appeared that he had
not strength TO counterbalance the bribery
that lost him the vote Of that State.
1t will not do 10 reply that the present
strength Of the Democratic party VIII make
il inyincible. For we know not what
changes may take place, what old issues
may vanish, what new ones may appear, IN
twelyemOnth. Some leading Republican
newspapers are now advising the abandon
ment of the Lodge bill and notifications In
the Mckinley tariff. With such issues
eliminated, and probably others OF sec
tiOnal, and therefore captivating character.
introduced, we may have as hard fight as
ever; the folly of the people and the selfish
ness of politicians may turn the victory Of
1890 into the defeat of 1892. New \ Ork may
be needed 10 prevent this.
What then should be done by us: | reply
nothing. Let us be still. and name no can
didate, least Of all "A New York man or
Southern man for the Presidency or for any
other office. The late elections encourage
us TO hope that if the Democratic party Is
prudent and presents proper issues, il can
carry a majority Of States, and so elect
President independent of the South. twill
be remembered that at the last election it
was charged by the Republicans that the
Democratic candidate had been dictated by
the "Rebel Brigadiers," and there was a
threat that the candidate OF such a cOnsti-
uency should not take his seat.
And as we experienced in Hayes case
that all the Republicans want is preteNt
for seating their own candidates, elected or
not, it would appear to be the part of pru-
dence for us to have no fayOrite, but simply
to vote for the nominee Of the Democratic
party.
What the people Of the south want is not
influence or Office, but government by our
own white men and exemption from agita-
ton for the rights of the negro.
If Mr.. Cleveland should prove
to be the favOrite of the other sections, why
then. of course, the South will vote and
work for him. For, Objectionable as he may
be from want Of ability, sound judgment,
good temper, good manners, and sympathy
with Southern views and prejudices, yet be
is neither a thief nor a rObber, as the Re
publican candidate is almost sure to be.