New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-17
A ROLD PROPOSAL.


rbrico candidate. twice elected, is the motto
which the Star-Eyed Goddess of Kentucky
wishes TO apply to Mr.. Cleveland as to Presi-
dents jefferson and Jackson. Ii IS orlshO
idea but not perhaps so bright as at lirst II may
seem TO be. The Star-Eyed Goddess forgets
that jefferson and Jackson were not eiecUeu
second time after they had sustained one ue-
fcot with Presidential power in their hands,
Tbov were not defeated after they had Deen
tried for four years in the Presidential ONCE
and did not attempt after such defeat TO re-
verse the verdict of the people,. What ME-
CIeveland's friends demand for him is some
thing which has never yet been granted by uhe
neope of the United States in honor OF any man.
MIR Cleveland was elected President under
nocrliorlv fayoIing circumstances. lie had be-
hind him not only great party flushed with us
first victory for more than quarter OF century
but a considerable body Of so-called independ-
ont citizens. who were hoping to add to their
number countless recruits from the hepuDlics'l,
ranks if the new President kept his pledges anu
served his country faithfully. They had oeen
neculiarly responsible for his selection and upon
his fidelity to their representations about MN
derended it was evident, the measure or sup
port which he could hope to expect from others
than the hard-and-fast members Of his own
Marty. Ii was undoubtedly within his power
70 make his party UNNECESSARILY stronger than 1t
had ever been, to blot out the distinction be-
tween North and South, to unite in hearty ana
genuine loyalty all sections and elements, and to
morI, ont a broad conservative and truly Ma
tional policy for his party upon which victories
might have been won for generation.
instead. Mr.. Cleveland disegarded the most
imnortant pledges. He affronted the conyic-
tions of good citizens of all sorts by many inn
n,oper appointments He revived sectional
nassions to most extraordinary extent by care
fully and conspicuousy rewarding those whose
only claim TO honor or trust was that they had
been exceptionally active as traitors. He turned
ont of Office more trained and faithful public
servants because they were of opposite political
opinions than any other President had done in
an equal time lie suffered the worst forms OF
marty spirit TO run riot with his encouragement,
and lifted not his little finger to prevent when
his partisans resorted TO the most fraudulent
and even criminal measures for the success Of
his marty. He made Republicans who had sup
norted him ashamed, and turned against him a
great multitude of Democrats. Finding that he
| had lost al chance of success on any other plan
he inaugurated Free-Trade crusade against
American manufacturers and American pro-
ducers and proposed deliberately to sacrifice
their interests in order to increase the profits Of
foreign importers. After four years Of trial in
the Presidency Mr.. Cleveland was defeated by
| the people. He had been elected by so close a
vote and such glazing frauds in a single State
that a contest would have been easy. But he
was defeated 50 decisively that not single
friend ever proposed to dispute the legality of
his defeat or the rightfulness of the decision
against him.
Ii is after such a trial and such a verdict Of
the people that Mr.. Cleveand's supporters pro-
pose to put him up again. President Jefferson
was not so discarded and condemned by the
people after trial, and If he had been there would
not have been tolerated by him any attempt
| to challenge their decision. President Jackson
suffered defeat only before he had been tried,
but after he became President the people did
not turn him out No other President has ever
held the office, sustained defeat when n can
didate for reelection. and afterward succeeded
| in another attempt It would be greatly to Mr.
CIeveland's honor, no doubt, if the country
| would do for him what it has never done for
any other man. but there Is not prospect par