Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-30
Mr.. Cleveland and the Party.

We said recently in speaking of the pro-
position TO renominate Mr. CLEVELAND in
1892 for President of tho United States,
that If the silver question were out of the
way he would be a strong nominee, but we
added that the free-coinage bill was not
going TO become a law next winter. The
Staunton Vindio1tor, after gracefully saying
In reply 10 q remark Of ours that in many
years observation Of tho Virginia press it
has known no paper freer from that oft
infrmity" of having an.axe TO grind than is
the DISPATCH, undertakes TO state the pro
cess of reasoning by which We reached the
conclusion that the silver question would
not be disposed of next winter. We quote
our Stanton contemporary's words:
"Tho House has n majority Of over $50, COM
posed Of Democrats and Alliance men. The
fenato Is the same that passed the free-coinage
til last winter, except that free coinage has lost
three enemies and gained three friends. And
yet the DISPATCH. which seems 10 hold that free
coinage must be al issue, II not paramount one,
IN lsg2. thinks congress fashioned like this will
not pass frec-coinAge bill We are curious 70
know its reasons for this conviction"
Yes. "the Senate is the same that passed
fhe free-coinage bill last winter; but,
good friend, what became Of that bill
Are you Joking? Is there any free-coinage
law upon our stntute-book: Why the Re
publicans in Congress never intended to
aid in passing any frec-coinage law.
Neither the Republicans of the House nor
those Of the Senate look with any favor
upon free coinage. The few Republicans
L.. 4 IN
good faith 10 bring their party W to the
support of that measure have succeeded
about as well as those Democratic papers
have succeeded which have been trying
10 smother free coinage by the use OF
tariff pillow. We are surprised that SO
astpte politician as our good friend or
the Tind,cdfor should credit the Republl,
cans with the intention or desire to pass
Democratic measure. Aud this is just
what the free-coinage bill is. II isa Demo-
cratic measure and will never become
law so long rs the Republicans control the
presidential veto. More; 1t will never
reach Republican President so long as
The Republicans have IA majority IN either
house Of Congress.
The Tindicdtor holds that the Republican
Senate viii next winter pass the freedom
age bill I'VE are curious to know Its
reasons for THIS conviction" Let us look
into the matter. When Congress next
meets. the two parties will be stripping for
the fight Of 1892. The Democrats will be
divided upon one question-the silver
question. II they can get this question
out Of their way. they will be able to elect
CLEVELAND or any other Democratic NOM
inee for President of the United States.
Bat they can get this question out OF the
way only by the assistance OF the Repub-
lican Senate. Therefore our Stanton
contemporary concludes that the Repub-
licans will next winter pass the freedom
nge bill and thus aid the Democrats IN
electing Mn. CLEVELAND! 1t Is wise 10 be
taught by your enemy, says the old adage.
But we have never learned from books,
or experience. or the teachings OF
friends that il Is safe to assume that your
adversary will do the only thing which 1t
Is necessary for him TO do in order TO in,
sure your success. Does our Stanton
contemporary really expect the Republican
Senate TO provide for the nomination and
reelection Of Mr.. CLEVELAND? Hardly.
md vet that seems 10 us to be in effect just
what that uaper SAYS. Either the Repub-
lcans will render Mr.. CLEvELASDs nomi-
nation possible. or he will not be nomi-
mated.
As we have said to the Vindicdtor, we claim
20 see party matters with unclouded vision.
We DO not intend TO say any hard things
about HILL. OF CLEVELAND, or PALMER, or
CAMPBELL, or PATTIsoS, or any other posi-
BILE Democratic nominee. Like General TAY-
Lon. we have no friends to reward nor enc
mics 20 punish. Principles. not men,"
IS our motto. We go wherever Democratic
principles lead. We shall not substitute
our favorltes for the Democratic party. We
owe allegiance to the party-not 10 any one
member of il, and we notify all concerned
that we DO not intend to place in our own
way any distractions which we shall next
year find il difficult TO remove.