The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1892-11-26
WHICH IS DENooRAoY 2

lno letttr VI aCcepuauCc Va Mi.
Cleveland was not in harmony with
the platform on which he was nomi-
mated, and the administration of ma
tionaI affairs for four years beginning
March 4, 1898, will be watched with
the greatest anxiety to see which will
succumb, the executive or the party.
Through an eventful history Democ-
racy has been known by the advocacy
of certain policies of government, and
there has been a man elevated by its
vote to the highest position in tie gift
of the American people who has dared
to antagozize the "time-honored prln-
ciples." The Whig party has besn
Tylerized, and Andrew johnson stule-
flied himself and the party with which
he affiliated by adopting a contrary
policy. There cannot be much doubt
that Mr.. Cleveland has sufficient indi-
viduality to arrogate to himself the
power of managing affairs suitable to
his peculiar ideas; but this would be
impolitic, and the last campaign has
demonstrated the fact that he under
stands how to practice the wiles of the
politician. 1t may inure more to his
benefit to keep in harmony with Tam
many and the Democratic leaders than
to antagonize them by inaugurating
policy different from that adopted by
them in national convention.
There was no uncertain sound in
the Chicago platform regarding the
tariff, for it declared the imposition of
duties. except for revenue, unconstitu-
tional. In his letter of acceptance,
Mr.. Cleveland did not endorse this
plank. and frankly declared that he
did not favor any policy that would
cripple American industries. This
plank is supported by Mr.. Watteason,
Mr.. Carlisle, Senator Hill and other
Democratic leaders, and it will be IN
teresting to know which horn of the
dilemma-tariff for revenue or protec
tion-the president will grasp.
On the money question it is well
known that Mr.. Cleveland is mono
metallist, and has so declared himself
on different occasions. The Democ-
racy has been very equivocal on this
subject, and in 1890 secured many
seats in the lower house of congress be-
cause of the advocacy of unlimited
coinage, and defeated the Bland bill
with that end in view in 1891. The
president and his party will not be any
more harmonious on this matter than
they are on the tariff, and it Will be
interesting to note which will be Dem
ocracy-Grover Cleveland or the Dent
ocratic leaders :,
During his last term as executive,
Mr.. Cleveland pocketed the River and
Harbor bill, and it failed by this COW
ardly means of becoming law. The
recent congress passed a very liberal
appropriation bill for the Improvement
of rivers and harbors, and if MIR. Cleve-
land has not changed his ideas on pub
lie expenditures there is likely to be
clash between him and those who |
elected him.
With the positions assumed by Mr.. |
Cleveland on all these national issues
his incumbency of the presidential |
chair-with the prerogative of the veto
in his power-for four years will
furnish an important chapter of Ameri- |
can history, and will demonstrate the
fact whether party that claims to be
SiouHuCu oh SCi ooAi PIiuCipiCo "uiCh
are foundation stones in the structure
of our government, can maintain its
supremacy against the will of one
man. If the party changes its posi-
tion on the doctrines that it has her
aided over the country, to suit the
opinions of the president, the people
will be pleased to be made aware of |
the fact; and if Mr.. Cleveland, with
his boasted independence, succumbs to
the pressure of Watterson, Carlisle
and others, this will be revelation to
many. No party can expect the sup
port of American citizens except it is
true to its platform and honest in its
declaration of principles. Democracy
will be put to crucial test In these
regards during the four years follow
ing March 4, 1898, and the people
will render their decision in the matter
in November, 1896.