The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-03

Tho credit Of them was all ascribcd TO hls
chief Of staG Rerthier. SO il has ever oeeh
in respect TO the early performances OF al
great men. Ignobe minds nave a'"ASs
sought 10 depreciate their performances III"
ascribe them 10 some other than the'i uuo
source. Richard Golden himself has mol us
cussed the problems Of the tar'f with more
clearness and fullness than Mr. Cleveland anu
for any one 10 say now that he was ignorant
Of the subject when his administration COM
menced is for that person TO write niihseh
down very ignorant person. No man couiu
write on the tariff as Mr. Cleveland has Wit
ten on it who hes not been lifelong ana
profound student Of II.
The Dispatches correspondent also tells US
that his informant told him that at the begin
ming Of his administration he never mad met
a man in public lie who knew SO little OF
public men and political history as Grover
Cleveland" That Mr.. Cleveland knew very
few OF the public men Of the country when
bis administration commenced We believe to
DO true. Bat 10 say that he was ignorant OF
our political history is absurd. His messages
and speeches TEEN with proof that he has
been a deep AMI devoted student OF our poiiu-
cal history, and no man hylng can
write upon our institutions with more
copious stores Of knowledge to draw
on. And we may say in this connection.
that when discussing them he has never
failed TO do so not only from The standpoint
OF the statesman tho true statesman but no
has also invariably discussed them from that
OF O great moral philosopher. We challenge
the correspondent OF the Dispatch or any one
else % produce from the pen OF any man
nobler poitico-moral essay than Mr.. Cleye-
lands recent speech before the students OF
the University Of Michigan. We said at the
timc it was delivered. and time has only con
frned us in our estimate Of it, that there was
nothing finer in its way in Edmund Burke's
letters Gu tho French Revolution. and 1t IS
not possible 10 rank it higher than this.
Mr.. Cleveland has now stood in the full
glare of tho public eye for more tnan ten
years lie has been examined. criticised and
discussed by the most competent judges
living His public utterances have been
weighed his public acts have been looked
into. and. by the consensus OF all impartial
men. he measures up t. the full standard OF
great statesman. These petty attempts TO
beitte him now amount 10 10 more than the
annoying prods Of sand flies TO an elephant.
The Dispatch's correspondent says he was
most unndthful to Mr. Thurman and treated
that gentleman most shabby offering him
neither place in his Cabinet nor a foreign
mission. We know nothing Of the facts con
corning this, but We do know another fact
that bears on it. During his administration
a judgeship in the Supreme Court OF the Dis
trict Of Columbia was 10 be filled. A strong
movement was made to induce him to appoint
Judge Keith. of this State to it, and he had
resolved TO DO so. and had directed the ap-
pointmeut to be sent in 10 the Seuate. Before
the message went of Mr.. Thurman either
came or sent TO him asking him TO appoint
another gentleman to the place, stating that
it was the only favor he had asked of his adj
minstraton. and Mr. Cleveland. though
anxious to appoint Judge Keith, at once can
celed his appointment and gave the place to
Mr. Ihurman's friend. There was no want
OF gratitude there.