The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-15
THURSDAY. JANUARY Is. 1891.
SPEAKING BEFORE ELECTION.


The snti-C Cleveland and pro-IIill papers
are ringing all the changes possible upon
the remark made by Governor Hill when
s.ked why he did. not attend the recent
Tariff Reform banquet in New York: 81
did my speaking before election The im-
preston intended to be conveyed by TINS r.
marx IL that Mr.. Cleveland. who was the
central figure at that banquet, took no In
terest in the campaign which resulted in
the splendid Democratic victory last fall
during its progress; but, since the battle
was won, has made himself somewhat con
splcuous In extending congratulations over
the result.
II is the worst policy in the world for any
party 10 push forward rival claimants for
political honors and TO form factions within
party ranks which warmly espouse the
claims OF their respective favorites. Such
q course is apt TO result in bitterness, lead
ing to elimination and recriminaton, and
finally 10 disruption. Both Cleveland aud
Hill are true, sincere Democrats, and If
either OF the two is the choice Of the Demo
cratic nominating convention, he will, no
doubt, receive the united support of the
whole Democratic party. will be elected,
and will make an excellent President; but
when uncalled for attacks or insinuations
are made upon ex-President Cleveland, who
is, by long odds, the choice Of the South and
OF the country, they ought TO be answered.
Ii 10 true that Mr.. Cleveland did not Do
any personal speech-making during the
recent campaign, but be bad very good
reasons for his silence. In the first place,
he knew that he was recognized as pr m
inent candidate FOR the denomination, aud
be very properly decided that his personal
appearance I'm the campaign would be con-
strued into his making personal canvass
for the nomination. This is the very last
thing that any presidential candidate
should do. The position Of President Of the
United States is one Of the most
exalted in the world, and 70 man has
right to degrade it to the level of ward
political office by dragging it through the
mire OF common politics. 1t is, in every
sense, an office which should seek the man,
and lot the man the office, and ex-Presi-
dent Cleveland showed proper appreciation
OF it's dignity when he refused 10 be placed
in the position Of personally canyassiDg for
90 high an honor.
Iu the next place, Mr.. Cleveland did
make very effective speaking in the cause
Of tariff reform long before the election, and
before any other leading man IN the coun-
try had manifested sufficient nerve to plant
himself firmly and unc0mpromisingly on
that ground He was President Of the
United States; he had given the country a
pure, clean, on-sectional adm nistration-
the only one Of the kind which the people OF
the United States have enjoyed since tn
war; he knew that his denomination and
reelection was assured if he was willing to
20 before the country simply on the record
he had made, and he knew that by
raising any new issue he would jeopar-
die his chances for second term.
But IL 10 one of Mr.. Cleyelands best
known characteristics that he never permits
policy TO interfere with his sense OF duty,
aud when he conceived il his duty to raise
the banner OF tarih reform, IN the interest OF
IN unjustly oppressed and unnecessarily
tax-ridden people, he raised it, nc once aud
fearlessly, without regard TO individual
consequences.
Then IL was that Mr.. Cleveland spoke,
and when he did speak, he uttered senti-
ments which awoke the echoes from
Maine " Texas, aud from the Atlantic to
the Pacific. His speech, too, took firm hold
upon the minds OF the people, and they
showed its influence upon them In the po-
liticsl cyclone which they raised in The
country last November. If, therefore, there
10 any man In this broad land who has cause
TO feel personal pride in the victory last
fall, and the right TO extend the most
hearty congratulations to his fellow-citizens
over IL. that man is Grover Cleveland.