Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-09-14
OOmmupiCateu.
Governor Hill and the Presidency.


As great So lie the tariff question, and I'm
porfaat ns is the silver legislation. the main
factor 10 she next Presidential controversy
IL the candidate who can carry the State OF
New York. Experience teaches that the
aspi.aut whose course has been moderate,
though consistent, is ia G better attitude to
gDuesl 10 the ciamotons passions q The
masses than the pronounced and proclaimed
champion of any special interest or section.
The moderation Of Fabius linked with the
daring of Murat, is more dangerous than
the obstinate tenacity OF Wellington,
when the contending forces sre joined 10
equal numbers. The democratic party In
national convention might be enthusiastic
for candidate, bnt would hardly have the
temerity to name as its national leader any
one whom the delegation from the State OF
New York was opposed to, for the grave
reason, unpleasant ae thu truth may be,
that without the Empire State the democra-
oy Ia helpless to place Its flag triumphant on
the citadel of national success.
TheFtime has passed when Wall street
opens It's huge financial purse for political
purposes, and though individual Instances
are still abundant, when rich candidate
pours hia gold into the campaign, the man.
ayers OF national affairs must lave some
shing more ahan mere money to control the
election.
The Admission OF the western territories
to statehood-a most undemocrsslo stroke
makes the Empire State vital Ia 'o2, and
whether this condition shRtter Idols or not,
IL makes great peus3 in the national
thought, aud turns the tide of inquiry 10 the
importance oisecnring the 50 electoral votes
of that Stats.
Popular Enthusiasm hes tn yield to the
stern logic CT truta, end popular farc7 10 the
still steiner reasoning oineoeesity, 10 accom-
plish ends Tat secure 10 The country the
benefits Of democratic ruls and the blessings
of q Jacksonian administration.
Il ia rule In war to entrust the high com
msnd to the general who has wisdom to plsn.
strete gy TO effect, and valor to accomplish
the ends that secure victory. And so 10
civic life. Leadership Is imposed upon the
men who possess So nearly fautless attri-
butss as fell to the lot Of humanity. His
tory abounds In instances Of a popular hero
emerging from the smoke OF Tar. And pc
lltcai warfare is toe combat of ideas that
produces statesmen.
Fiattery cannot win nor adule:ion ca,ole
the masses of the people to the bind adura
ton OF the representative OF interest direct
ly ia opposition to the clearly defoed wei
fare.
To say that one leader can carry State
iB hypothesis, to say that another has Car
ried the S ale IL fact. The cold eye OF
critical observance ip the turmoil aroused
nv con ending passions will select the
stsiYart figure whose bate cry has aroused
me empire bsttslions TO urexampled deeds
OF pojiucsi velor, and whose white plume
still waves above his UDdauntod crest. The
democracy of Gov. Hill has not been fssh-
Toned By the Curtis ooterie Of mugWump5,
nor again moulded by the gossamer theories
of political romancers. but is the sturdy
growth of the vital principles underlying the
foundations OF the party.
Too firm for persuasion, too edrcit fer
mistake, he towers above the party pigmies
in Insltersbie fsmnees in the granite quali-
ties OF constaDcy.
He has saved his party from irreclaimsble
mistakes snd healed dissension that to an
other would have hurried the party to dis
aster.
The adverse press, and those 10 bis party
opposing bis views, have held up his conduct
az the Ruthless acts Of ssiskness.
Standing IS he does to-day the foremost
OF true democracy, bis stti-
lude clear cot in the electric glare of pubic
sentiment, his opinion declared, bic position
taker, be does not fslter in tie leading role,
that conjunction of events will conspire to
life him into an atmosphere OF higher day
and clearer lights.
The tariff question had champions, wise
advocates, long before the plumbers OF IS,
and it was the very Campaign OF eduoa-
tiop" that the democrats In Congress were
conducting in The districts and In the House
of Representatives, that resulted In the eluc.
dation OF this Important measure. 1t was
"b7utun pulmen" shat adopted tariff as sn
Issue in IS, that had been the wstchword OF
the leaders ard the pass cord Of the masses
for the lest ten years.
The average sentiment OF The masses Is
generally correct, bat they may be seduct-
Iyely led by Misrepresentation into a blind
following OF a representative Of the party
n ! partissnship becomes passion, and ad-
mirs0on hisotrg.
The poliliois:9 st1cd eside in 'SS, and the
resistIess tide o. populsr enthusiasm swept
NJ. Cleveland into unanimous nomination.
The ti0s vas Loo hiph and the current TOO