New-York tribune., 1891-02-05
THE PROSPECT.

The political outlook has grown somewhat
clearer. Whether it has grown more salts
factory to Democrats they may be left to say
if the question is not sufficiently answered by
their own rather lrtated observations. They
find that Governor Hill has accepted an Office
which no successful candidate for the PreS-
dency has ever held when nominated, ana
which. in the general estimation of his friends,
he would not have accepted if he had expected
to contend with any prospect of success Tor
the Presidential nomination. 1t is therefore
the prevailing belief among Democrats, and As
we'll among these who most dislike Nlr. Cleye-
land As among those who like him, that he Is
destined to be the candidate OF his party agaln
But il is not an equally general impression
that his past record will help him in the west
ern States, where the recent elections gave the
Democratic party such hope of extraordinary
gains.
President Cleveland was not in favor OF free
silver coinage, nor did he give countenance to
the wild notions about currency which have d
plomi1ent influence with the Farmers Alll-
anco With him as a candidate the Demo
cratic party would have loss chance than with
almost any new man of etfecung combination
with this Western force His ideas about The
tariff, however attractive 10 the Free lfaue
philosophers OF Eastern importing GueS Were
not found acceptable to the Wool-gr0Wers or 10
anv other class Of farmers AT the W est. Ills
close relations with some of the men who are
most widely known for their connection with
railroad and other powerful corpoI ations, and
with trusts and monopolieS, would not com
mend him to farmers of the West or South.
ii ltn l)pmN(IsftIF
Marty would in effect call upon the Farmers
Alliance to run a candidate OF its own III south
ern as we'll as in Western States. Possibly
this would be Of all things the best Tor the
country, but it does not paint with more roseate
hues the prospect for Democratic cndiua'eS
for office.
The Republicans have not abandoned their
principles because Of pveiAcS which were LOT
the moment surprising. They nave made the
county understand that they arc prepared to
abide by the new tariff and do not doubt that
It's results will win public approval. Already
the people have looked far enough TO perceive
that the reports Of great rise IN prices were
false and fraudulent, and il begins 10 be re-
veaed that the new duties are helping some OF
the great industries materially without adding
to the burdens OF consumers at all. There VIII
be more enlightcnng than Democrats desire
within the next eighteen months, and the man
who seeks success in 1892 on such a platform
rs Mr. Cleveland has made for himself will be
heavily handicapped
Neither have Republicans lost by their stead
fast attitude regarding the Election bill or the
silver issue. Discussion has made it clear to
= great number of yCters thar the Republican
party proposed only what every honest citizen
ought to desre-fair and free elections for mem
beIs Of Congress. There are many such voters
who begin 70 realize. as they did not before,
that the desperate struggle made by Democrats
has been in fact for the purpose OF retaining
power t) elect Congressman by fraud. That
conviction Will moi help the Democratic party
hereafter Nol have Republicans lost by stand
ing firmly against the silver coinage craze.
To-Day there are multtudoS of practical busi-
ness men in Western rs well as Eastern towns
and cites who realize that Republican fImness
alone saves the country from great disaster.
The facts will have their weight. The men
VINO play the dcmagoGue and bend before every
wind Of popular error are not those who win
and hold in the long run the confidence OF
American voters.