The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1891-07-04
The Anti Cleveland Revival.

DIouSuL lIOm Tue w est Dy congress-
man VIM. l.. Wilson, of West vir-
ginia, that the people are everywhere
favorable to the denomination of Mr..
Cleveland for the presidency, comes
the revival of the anti Cleveland
movement, this time in the South.
The Richmond Dispatch few days
ago published interviews with thir-
teen Virginia Democrats in various
parts of the State, most of whom ex-
pressed themselves as opposed to Mr..
Cleveland on the ground that his
views on the free coinage of silver
place him in antagonism to the pre-
vailing sentiment in that section and
would inevitably result in his defeat.
While the opinions Of the gentlemen
quoted are worthy Of the utmost re-
spect as the expression of their indi-
vidual views, they are scarcely enti-
tied to be considered "the voice of
Virginia" as our contemporary phras-
es it, or indeed, as the voice of any
one but themselves. Interviews of
this sort amount to very little as re-
Elections of popular convictions, and
the proof of this is found in the fact
that while politicians and others are
announcing that the people will not
support Mr.. Cleveland, the people
themselves, at every public meeting
and political gathering, cheer his
name to the echo whenever it is men
toned. The Staunton indicator,
in reply to the statement, said to
emanate from Senator Barbour, that
the people of Virginia are opposed to
the denomination of the ex- President,
says: This section of Virginia, which
includes the great Valley counties,
gives large and decisive democratic
vote. AS for Mr.. Barbour's informa-
ton regarding it-for we suppose he
does not omit so important demo-
cratic section-it is entirely erron-
eous. If Mr.. Barbour will go to any
democratic meeting in any of the
counties in this section, he will see
that speaker cannot mention the
name of Cleveland without eliciting
a round of applause. The people
here are for Cleveland en- masse."
The same thing is true not only in
other parts of Virginia and the South,
but, as Congressman Wilson reports,
in the whole West, from the Ohio to
the Pacific. Governor Francis, of
Missouri, says the people of his State
are for Mr.. Cleveland, and the great
democratic State of Texas is still
flying his flag with undated loyalty.
Wherever and whenever the demo-
cratic masses have an opportunity
of speaking they speak in a very diff
ferent sort of way from the anti
Cleveland leaders.
The reason given for the opposition
to Mr.. Cleveland is that his renomi-
nation would not be ''good politics"
because of his failure to indorse I'M
limited free coinage of silver and the
subtreasury scheme, and because of
his alleged inability to carry New
York. Mr.. Cleveland may or may
not be able to carry New York, but
in considering the possibilities and
probabilities in regard to that State
it would be well for every one inter-
ested to remember that it will not be
good politics" to nominate any dem
ocrat who is in favor of the things
to which Mr.. Cleveland is opposed,
if New York is to be counted in the
democratic column. The business
interests in that State are unalter-
ably opposed to the silver and other
schemes to which it is desired to
commit the democratic party full
year in advance of the national con-
vention, and if the battle is to be
fought on those issues it will be found
that no man whom the party can
put on that platform will be able to
capture it's electoral votes. Mr.. Cleye-
lands attitude on the silver question
is not likely to deprive him of any
votes, either in the South or West,
which he would otherwise have re-
ceived. While his own individual
views are clear and decided, and have
been given to the country with his
customary courage and directness,
he is not the man to stand in the
way of the popular will, strongly and
Enthusiastically expressed. If the peo-
pie of the country insist upon free
coinage, there is not the slightest
probability that he would attempt to
thwart or obstruct their decree. But
the fact, which those who undertake
to express the sentiments of the dem
ocratic party seem to have forgotten,
is that the people have not yet spoken
on this subject, and that until they
do, it is the height of arrogance for
any man or set of men to assume to
say what they desire.
There is another factor which the
President makers and breakers will
have to consider, and that is the in
dependent voter. He is abroad in
the land, not in one section alone
but in ALL He showed himself las,
fall to very considerable effect, and
he will show himself next year with
even more, and to the confusion and
defeat of the party which comes be
fore the country with any issue, ism
or candidate which his sound, calm