The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1891-09-26
Leland Stamford q Candidate.

date for President and had formally
so declared. We are not surprised
at this, nor does there appear to be
anything abnormal or divertlng IN
the coupling of so prominent a
name with the presidential office.
Were craftsmanship held to mean
the mastery of the true science OF
government, Mr.. Stanford would
not be statesman; but such is not
the popular nor political definition
of the word. To the average mind
craftsmanship is very indefinite
quantity. In the judgment of the
crowd partisan leader is states
man, and the more noise he makes
land money-the more exalted
bis craftsmanship. Of this class of
statesmen Mr.. Stanford is an emf
nent and conspicuous example,
albei: his character judged by his
public utterances is full Of strange
paradoxes. Possessed Of boundless
wealth, he must be regarded as in
a great measure free from certain
debasing influences, such as fear for
the future and resultant servility to
position, power and opportunity,
which effect, in many cases without
their knowledge, the public acts and
utterances of men less fortunately
situated. The critic of his character
is, therefore, justified in assuming
that he speaks his proper senti-
ments, and acts out the impulses
Of his nature. That he devotes his
time and talents primarily. and
with marvellous success, to the ac-
QUESTION of wealth proves that gold
is his first love. That in the brief
lulls which his avarice permits in
his passionate pursuit of gain, his
thoughts turn to political, economic
and sociologic subjects, proves tina,
unlike his class. he is not entirely
without human sympathy-philan-
thropy-and, therefore, not without
craftsmanship; for philanthropy is
the highest order of craftsmanship.
At such times his words give out
sentiments of humanity and man.
illness, which the selfish interests of
the great corporation over which he
long presided compel him to ignore
in practical everyday life. But a
careful study of his speeches and
writings will convince any one that
he is not himself sensible of his
slavery in this respect. and that
whatever others may think of him,
Hon. Leland Stanford thinks him.
self a gentleman well-disposed to-
wards his fellow-men generous
withal and considerate Of the we'll
being of all. His acts, shaped as
they are by circumstances entirely
beyond individual comprehension
or control, are Shylockian in their
turpitut!e, while his utierances are
replete with moral and humane
sentiments of high order, proving
conclusively that there is better
side" to his nature, which has been
to avarice. That such
man should be self:deceived as to
his sympathies and disposition to-
wards others, and the effect of his
acts upon their welfare is no less
public calamity because it is per.
tectly natural under our compel
tive system. That the exaltation
of such a character to the Presiden-
cy of the United States would prove
more a blessing or a calamity can.
not be foretold, as that would de-
pend on whether the good or the
evil side of his nature were given
dominion during his official term.
Although less active than Stew
art, Leland Stanford is the intel.
lectual peer of any United States
Senator from the Pacific coast. He
is popular with the Alliance-Labo
elements because of his sub-treasu-
ry blunderbuss scheme, and having
this support, should he receive the
nomination from the republican
convention next year, his campaign,
supported as he would be by the
railroads and the silver men, to
both of which interests he is a
strong friend, his would prove a
walkover.
AS President he would be strictly
honest as he defines that term. His
policy, however, would be one that
would inevitably rebound to the in
jury OF the masses; but that would
be his error and not his fault; and
would not be more injurious than
the insane extravaganza of the Har-
rison administration. He would not
veto nor otherwise interfere to pre-
vent such legislation as he might
deem beneficial to the public; but
like too many others might mistake
the corporations and other wealthy
schemers for the public. Neither
would he interpose obstacles to leg
islation in behalf of labor provided
that legislation could be so shaped
as not to effect any curtailment Of
the powers and privileges of the
corporations. On the whole Mr..
Stanford would be preferable to any
anti-silver man that could be put
up by either party, and to the great