The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-27
CLEVELAND In NEW YORK.
A DEMOCRATIC ESTIMATE OF HIM.
The Democracy Of the Empire state Recog.
niEes HE Statesmsnship and IL Not the
Property OF Any Machine or Boss
"A Noteworthy Article.
[Brooklyn Eagle.l


the Inauguration by the body called the
Cleveland democracy OF the club house
which they have acquired, was a very
earnest, appropriate and honest address.
1t was a speech of a democrat to demo-
Gratis and of an ethical democrat on the
ethics of democracy to a company OF. men
who are democrats on principle. The ex-
presidents remarks were, indeed, among
the best which he has made since he lett
the white house. The whole tenor of his
words Indicated the seriousness of his
thought, the solemnity of the sense of re-
sponsibility which he felt and that ele-
waited conception OF public duty aud of the
obligation of the democratic party to the
people which has been the distinguishing
characteristic of his service in high places.
The address was, in short, admirable.
Going with it, arguing for it and re-
fiecled by it are the career and character
OF Mr.. Cleveland as a public officer, an
American citizen and a reform democrat.
That career and that character are val
liable asset OF the country, proud posses
sion OF the past, great force in the pres
ent and fine availability for the future
The administration OF the man, both as
governor and as president, did something
TO lift power above spoils, principle above
expediency, confidence in the people
above trickery, courage of conviction
above devices and the welfare of the coun-
try above mere partisan success. IL any
where, in city, county or state, the democ-
racy is chargable with a failure to measure
up to lis obligations, with government by
bosses instead of by the people, with gov
eminent for henchmen instead OF govern
ment for the community. with government
under blanket instead of government in
the open, with q low instead of with a
high tone of administration, the 6erelic-
ton is undoubtedly due to a departure
from Cleveland standards and TO viola
ton of Cleveland ways.
We are aware OF the dissatisfaction
which the large and broad methods OF Mr.
Cleveland gave to the smaller run of poll
ticians. We are aware that under him
political organizations, local, county and
even state, sometimes felt that they had
reason to De offended. We are aware that
his want OF consideration for the suscepti-
bilities OF men OF high rank in the party
in various localities mortified MANY and
alielated some of them, but how less than
little appear these incidents against the
broad, luminous, resolute and, in the
main, unseltish results OF his administra-
ton! Under him the policy of the gov
eminent was distinct single and upward.
BY him public servants were held to the
line of public duty. If mistakes were
made in their selection, they we're repaired
ho Of off as
was in the right direction. Public service
was held 10 be superior to partisanship.
He has been accused of raising ingrati-
tude to a system, by not appointing per-
sonal friends to position; but suppose he
had raised gratitude to a system.an paid
personal political debts with public office :?
Would mis- clearnesS OF course have then
been so marked as now? His rudcr, cru
eler, absolute way was the right one. Fit
ness, not friendship, should be the test for
place. His account was to and with the
people, not to and with comrades, cronies
or servitOrs.
About all of the errors of Judgment or
of manner practicable of Mr.. Cleveland's
administration, either as governor or as
president. could be accounted for by the
fact that his incumbency OF the very high
est offices, so romantic was the rapidity OF
his rise, absolutely constituted his nOvi-
tate in any considerable station. The
spirit he brought to such station was adj
mlrable. The methods or manners may
have been inapt or abrupt at the begin
ming That they improved as he pro-
crossed was evident. That he has greatly
improved in those respects under every
year of broadening culture and liberaliz-
ing intercourse is unquestionable.
Z IL
lofty, patriotic, clarifying and true as that
at Buffalo, minor errors ere TO be forgot
ten, because the great merits of this pub
lie servant resplendently shine forth. Un-
der the influence OF such an address the
earnings OF criticism, the arrows OF levity.
the javelins of disappointment the venom
of envy and the asperity OF retarded reac-
tionaries and baffied bourbons count for
nothing. The strong, self-poised, clear
eyed administrator and reformer stands
forth to view. The need OF his spirit in
party councils is re-emphasized. The
need of his example in public service is
recalled. The humiliating consequences
to politics, local, state or national, of de-
parture from the spirit of his action are
evident. We think the disposition again
to set the democracy on the aggressive
paths which he pursued will be rekindled
TO an intense degree by the influence of
his thought, by the effect OF his words and
by the inspiration OF his example which
those words recall to view. Wherever
MacGregor sat was the head of the table.
Whenever Cleveland speaks the best
meaning and the highest mission of the
democracy are set forth. lmpracticable
he may be called, but only by men TO
whom policy is the best honesty. mo
democrat he may be called, but only bv
men to whom politics is flesh pots, service
spoils and office a pretext for robbing the
people by day of the money gambled
among confederates by night.
They say that the conditions are SO
tense that this man cannot be recalled to
public functions, because the voice of the
democracy of New York will be stihed or
the energies of the party here will be
stilled or the muscles of that party in this
commonwealth will be bound by the green
withes of intrigue or by the cordage of
conspiracy woven by his personal and po-
litical enemies. The Eagle does not be-
lieve it. The Eagle does believe that the
democracy of the state OF New York is
the property, the pawn and the preserve
of no man and no set of men. 1t is party
in which corruption wins not more than
honesty and cunning not more than can
dor in the long run. In the proper way
and at the proper time it's men of morals,
of thought, of craftsmanship and of reform
will reassert their right to consideration.
The Eagle does not believe that the demo-
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