The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-08

temporary started out few weeks ago Win
publishing interviews with certain we'll
Known citizens and political leaders in the
State adverse 10 the nomination Oh eA-i ,e'"
dent Cleveland by the Democracy mas
during the past few days, published se'erai
others from the rank and file OF the party
besides various extracts from the country
press. favorable 10 that gentleman. ihis 10
gratifying, inasmuch as it substanua'es inc
fact. which The T MIS- made known some
months ago through the 245 interviews neiu
by its correspondents with representative
Democrats throughout the state tha' INC
bone and sinew of the party are strongly iA'-
orable 20 the selection of Cleveland as the
Democratic standard bearer in 1892.
II is n fact. which there is no use in attempt
ing to dispute. that while the politicians OF
this and other States may. for reasons OF their
own. look with disfavor upon the selection OF
the ex-President, the Democratic masses OF the
voters are undoubtedly for MIN. And 1t Is
most natural that they should be. They re-
member that az the first Democratic President
Of the United States since 1860 he carefully es-
chewed everything like sectionalism and
gave the country broad, clean and patrlouc
administration in which he guided the helm
of the ship of State strictly IN the course
which he had marked out before the election
and he acted throughout ACCORDING 70 hiS
motto that Public Office is public trust.
He knew no North. no South. no last, no
West but with absolute importantly
were part of one common coun-
try. each possessing rights which he as
Chief Executive was bound to respect. NOT
one flaw could be picked in his course from
beginning 10 end. and even in his defeat he
still maintained the confidence and esteem of
his countrymen. because they knew that it
was only his devotion to principle which IN
duced him to raise the new issue OF the tam
reform that prevented his being reelected by
an overwhelming majority both of the States
and Of the people. With such record IS this,
and standing 50 high in the estimation Of his
party. the masses of the Democracy could
not feel otherwise than that it would be i'm
possible TO trust their interests 10 safer hands
than his.
If the opponents of the ex-President are OPP
posing him simply because they wish Cover
nor Hill nominated, they might as we'll at once
change their tactics If there is any conf
dence whatever 10 be placed in the signs of the
times it is as plain as anything can be that
while Governor Hill may defeat Mr.. Cieve-
lands, he cannot secure his own nomination.
The whole Democratic party viii be willing
TO unite on Cleveland, because he has not
only proven his ability 10 satisfactorily fill
the presidential chair. but he is, to GER
tain extent, recognized as the pioneer
and champion Of tariff reform, the great issue
upon which the battle of '92 Is TO be waged.
If he is rejected by the convention. however,
the main column of the party will not favor
any Eastern war, but will look TO the West,
and. in that event the political alliance be-
tween that section and the South, which
is. sooner or later, destined to
be entered into, will at once
be effected. The unanimous sentiment of
the convention, therefore, will be Cleveland
OF Western man" with a preponderance IN
favor of Cleveland. The silver question will,
in all likelihood, play but a small part in the
campaign of 1872, for it will not only be over
Swallowed by tariff reform, but it will either
be settled by the next Congress.
or both parties viii place themselves in
pretty much the same position regarding
il. since both parties are about equally divided
upon it. In either case it will be eliminated
as a political issue and with tariff reform as
the one question to be fought over, no one
can be found more likely to lead the party
to victory under that banner than he whose
name has been for years. more than that OF
any other individual. intimately identified
with that policy.
For these reasons the more our contempt
raries investigate and conscientiously seek
| TO ascertain public opinion on the subject OF
the next Democratic presidential nomination
the more they will be compelled to recognize
| the fact that no matter how much the leaders
may,oppose him, the great mass of Democratic
voters are emphatcally on the side of the dis
tinguished ex-President.