The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-08
CLEyELAND's PERIL.

There was much significance in the de-
NAL Senator Vest felt called upon TO make
in the Senate on Tuesday, of the report
published some time ago, and frequently
in many forms repeated, that either by
letter or otherwise. ex-President Cleveland
had notified him of a change in the lat
ter's views on the silver question. 1t
must have been observed that the Sem
ator's denial was carefully guarded so as
to contradict only so much of the report
as specified that Cleveland had addressed
him by letter on the subject.
Such was not in fact the original report.
The letter feature was an elaboration and
improvement which probably emanated
from the brain of an enterprising reporter.
Originally, with circumstantial detail, and
from sources emitting it TO credence, came
the report that the Missouri Senator had
received full assurance from the ex-Presi,
dent that further reflection and observa-
ton had led to modification OF his views,
and the Senator was confident that in due
time the public would be notihed of the
change in formal manner. This. the
actual report was, not denied in the re-
marks made by Vest on Tuesday.
But it is highly probable that Cleveland
has changed his mind or is in doubt about
the policy of notifying the public of
| change of his views ABOUT silver. The
truth is, the silver question puts him in
most trying predicament. With the evil
dences that are multiplying in every quar-
ter that the political storm which culmi-
| mated last November has about spent its
force, Mr.. Cleveland is beginning to rea-
| lie the quandary of risking the loss of his
! gold-bug monopoly, and Mugwump fol-
lowing by attempting to placate the farm
| ers and the friends of silver.
The Mugwumps, almost TO a man, are
rabid in their hostility TO silver. More
over, the quality which they most boast
| fully attribute TO Cleveland, and trumpet
as his chief and most admirable character
| istic, is his unyielding, stubborn tenacitv
of principle and purpose. There can be
| no manner of doubt that a formal declara-
ton from him in favor of free coinage of
silver would cause a wild uproar among
that branch of his followers. They are as
| treacherous as quickSand. Whom they
cannot rule they viii try TO ruin. So far
as their support and influence is con-
ceTned, even one misstep will prove fatal
10 whomsoeyer depends upon them. No
wonder that be finds it ticklish matter to
decide whether he can risk losing the one
| Mugwump bird in hand in trying to
capture two from the Alliance bush.
In truth, the ex-President's position is a
most trying one from many points of
view. He is being tremendously over
doomed" The perfunctory cheering Of
his name at every Democratic gathering.
and the painful straining Of the point to
call his name 10 elicit the perfunctory
cheers, has been started too soon and is be-
| ing wretchedly overworked. Long before
the real campaign can be opened il will
have become stale, HAT and unproftable. s.
II he responds by letter or speech to every
demand made upon him by his super
servieeahle friends, il viii be little short of
$ miracle If he fails 70 pail BY repetition
or offend by one or another attempt at
| originality.
And having been so free and indiscrim-
' inate-sc eager, in faes-in responding 10