New-York tribune., 1891-04-24
IS MP CLEVELAND HEDGLNGF

VI I.
rCioicingly cry his admirers. lhey oetrhS
conviction that the Democratic party Is 30 p'iiiu
" and obstnatey heretlcal on thd1 SupJecO 'Ha'
the ey-ptesident might fare Dauly IL can
didato unless he should take back part Of what
he has said. I'm this impression they may be
right. and it is quite possible that MI Cleveland
himself shares that idea. The language at
tributad to him. in "Ihe Evening Telegram
report of his interview with Mr. stephens Vi
Missouri. looks as if he was trying to hedge OF
70 buiId a bridge over which the silver fanatlcS
could come to his support. Unless its appareh,
purpose does him injustice, Mr.. Cleveland must
lose a great part of the credit he has 1eceiVeo
for manfully confronting a pernicous error
within his own party.
Il is not claimed that any notes were maue
of the conversation. but according 10 Nr'
Stephens's recollection and report Mr. Cie'e-
land met the question whether he would Veto Il
Free- Coinage bill. if he should be elected PleS-
ident as follows
II I should be elected President I'm 1892 such Dill
would not reach me until 1894, Congress would ho'
meet until December. 1893 50 that Is Dfluge VIC
had better not attempt to cross until we come 70 w.
What would be bad for the country at the present 'i
mqht Le a necessity I'm 1894. As the volume OF Dusl-
The amount Of the present per capita should be IN
creased but changes should be made gradually Nheh
the law was passed providing fOrthe coipage OF *2oO
600 per month feared the result for thought IL Woo
prove an injury the business Interests oi the country
for time at least. However the law proved behehi'
for contrary my opinion, the country was reauS LOT
the change. When the present law proNldlhg lof
- 200 coo per month was passed, thought the meas
ure too radical ard that il might have the erect OF dV
ING gold ont Of the country, but In this was hiahNel
and both those opposed well rs those IN iaVOf Ol ec
coinage believe that present law IS wise one IN 50
far that the country has benefited by IT. WIN the
rapd strides the country is making it IS Impossible To
sov what financial measures may be ready for IN
1894.
H. is not necessary at this time to c0ntroyert
the statements of President Cleveland regard
inc the effect or the safety of the two laws which
he mentions. nor to call attention to the fact
that one Of them at least was almost unanl-
mOusly opposed by the members OF his party.
Ills opinions on that part of the matter can be
discussed at another time. But the eX-PrcSid2nt
takes care not to state that he would regard the
unlimited coinage of silver in 1894 as a meas
IRE dangerous to the National honor and the
welfare of the country. He carefully suggests
that his own opinion OF several past enactment'
has changed and that his judgment regarding
the probable effect Of free coinage might chang
before 1894. In view of the fact that Con-
rle,S is expected by him and his friends to be
| DcmorIatic in case of his election next year. he
would be strongly impcIed to modify his pres
cnt or past beliefs. in regard TO the danger oi
free coinage. in Difference to the Judgment Of a
Democratic majority of Representatives OF the
people The impression that the eX-PreSden'
=. l. Of4tl ROM
ed. is that he can he expected by his supporters
to get rid Of his antagoniSm to silver coinage
within the next three years, and to carry OH
the wishes of his party.
This report comes from a jealous advocate
Of Mr. Clevelands nomination, Who IS also q
jealous advocate of unlimited coinage OF silver
and until confirmed by Mr.. Cleveland or con-
tradicted cannot be received with nqueSton-
ing confidence But he will at once perceive
that it places him in position by no means
envablc. If he is now so ready to contemplate
a radical change of his convictions as possible
or even probable, what excuse can be given io
his very recent and emphatic letter against Sil
yer coinage? The public will not be able t'
escape the feeling that Mr.. Cleveland is ready
to shift his ground if that be necessary in orde
TO Get a nomination. and that he is not tho
strong man of courage and convictions which hi
friends have supposed him to be. The one
merit claimed for him hitherto is that he ha
appeared to adhere to his beliefs with mucl
tcnacity. regardless of fe apparent wishes o.
his party, or the possible consequences to him
self It would reduce Mr. Cleveland, in publi'
estimation. to the level OF the ordinary shift
and tricky demagogue if he should appear be
fore the public to have essentially modified TO
| the sake of the nomination the opinions he =
recently expressed on the silver question 1t j.
therefore of the highest importance to PIeNl
dent Cleveland that he should speedily aiiiln
or deny the correctness of Mr. Stephens state
mcnts His evasiye and deprccatOry denial oI
Wednesday of the accuracy Of the reported inter
view is not sufficient.
T.