New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-24
CLEVELiND orr


Our Democratic contemporaries and the Mug
wump contingent are busying themselves Just
now with discussion of the probabilities OF the
nov. democratic National Convention. The
majority of them seem to agree in the belief that
the results of the late election have strengthened
the chances of Mr. Cleveland. The Mugwumps'
who are nothing if not absolute, are so positive
that the logic of events points unerrlngly to
MIR. Cleveland that they have him as good as
nominated already. A very considerable ma
iority of the Northern Democratic newspapers,
Though they do not concede the Mugwump in
fstuation that he is the only possible candidate
are evidently of the opinion that he Is lar
in the lead of all others. The number OF Dem
ocratc newspapers in the North which dlHer
from this view is comparatively small ooh'e
of them oppose Cleveland because OF an honeS'
difference of opinion on the question OF Free
Trade. Others on personal grounds, and lew
because after looking over the whole situation
they have reached the conclusion that, notwith-
standing the noisy enthusiasm Of his pronounced
adherents, he is in a sense factlonai cahalda,e
and has not the real strength with the whole
narty to be its most available representative man
In the South where the Farmers Alliance is
supposed to have great strength ana the SILVER
craze is still powerful factor the opposition 10
him. without being bitter or extreme, is much
more general. Some Of the most lnnuenual
Democratic newspapers in the South say ne couio
not get the support of the farmers anu silver
mon and that in consequence his nomination
would endanger Democratic ascendancy In the
Solid South. In both sections the SpeakeSnip
contest hinges largely on the bearing which ID
necessarily has on the Presidential nomination
II il rather early to prognosticate the action OF
a Democratic National Convention next year, inc
date of which has not now been liked Coh-
sidering that between this time and the meet
inc of the convention we shall have Congress
on exhibition and on trial before the country
with 4 Democratic majority so enormous as to
he unwicldy and dangerous, it may be said that
the discussion Of probabilities at this time is
very much like discussion of weather indica-
t;ons for next June. For, unless the teachings
Of experience are greatly at fault, the action
of Congress this winter will 60 far 10 upset oil
calculations on the subject. Such Congress as
comes in next month cannot leave thngs uii-
changed 1t cannot avoid responsibility by
doing nothing. The excuse OF an opposiuoh
Senate and Executive will not avail for neglect
ing to put itself on record upon the issues on
which it claims to have carried the country III
1890 and which are pressing for settlement.
This Congress must make its record On the TWO
o,estions of tariff and silver coinage. 1t cannot
escape it. With all their facility at doubling
and twisting. evasion and prevarication, the
Democratic majority are fully aware that there
would be more danger in lodging than in going
straight ahead. And when they make their
record. whatever it is, even if they should play
the sneak and do nothing all the conditions
will be changed.
II is possible that il the convention were 70
be held within month Mr.. Cleveland might
be nominated. lie is easily in the lead. If en-
thusiasm and hurrahs counted there would be no
doubt about it, But it is to be remembered
that sometimes sullenness and hard work accom-
plsh more than enthusiasm and noise. Mt.
Cleveland has apparently great popularity win
what are called the Democratic masses. But
the Democratic masses do not count for much
a. against the Democratic leaders 1t is the
Democratic leaders who manage the caucuses
control the conventions, elect the delegates and
run the machine Unfortunately for Mr. Cieve-
land he is not in the confidence OF the leaders
He has no organization behind him; is not III
touch with the ruling spirits of the party; has no
control CT the machine The Mugwumps, ana
perhaps the Democratic masses, have an ideai
Cleveland whom they almost worship. That IS
not the Cleveland known to the leaders, they
have been closer to him, and they make no
secret of their dislike for him. What especially
endears him to the Mugwump is that which Is
most offensive to them. They say he is cold
blooded and selfish, without any sense OF graft
tude or recognition of obligations, and that he
thinks he made himself" They will have none
of him if they can help it.
So, from the present outlook, although, as has
been said, the situation is likely to undergo an
entire change before the assembling OF the Ma
tional Convention, it seems to us the man least
likely to be nominated is Grover Cleveland
At the present moment he leads the field. And
that is one reason why the chances are against