The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-21
Cleveland Va. Hi.

Editor Morning NetOs: Your writer has
been too long connected with political life,
in fact knows no other. not to know a real
statesman from partisan, an office seeker
from q politician. A politician, in the true
and correct sense Of the word, Is one who
studies the p olicies of government as a
science, who suggests and advocates meas
ures OF governmental policy; has positive
views and opinions The difference between
statesman and politician il as between
an inventor and a machinist. An
Inventor creates, "a machinist SIM
ply applies the principles Of
the inventor. Statesmanship creates
Doth governments and policies, for govern
ment must rest upon some stable prin-
ciples such as are always found In coBsti-
buttons, vnd policies must be in harmony
with those principles. In our government
such men as Jefferson, Hamilton, Franklin,
Madison, Adams and others who figured
couspicuously in the creation OF the federal
government addressed themselves directly
to pure aud simple craftsmanship: their
great idea and object was to draft consti-
tuition for the United States, and not a
policy. The policies of the government fol-
lowed as natural sequence after the adop-
tion Of the federal constitutions; such
policies or measures as related to tariff,
Principles can never be compromised:
they are not subjects of legislation; but
policies are ever open to amendment or
abolis ment. No law can be enacted that
another congress or legislature caunot re-
peal. The law making power is distinct
and direct feature Of the legislative branch
of government. The President, or a gov
ernor of a state, is simply an executive off,
Ger to enforce the laws, that and nothing
more. He bears the same relationship to
the law making power that a running en-
gineer does TO the machine shop from
which he gets his engine. His business is to
run the engine. not to make it, He is told
TO run it, and his advice is not needed or
asked by the makers until he tests the en-
CINE. Then If anything is wrong he runs IL
back into the machine shop and points out
to the makers where the defect is.
80 or the President or governor. They
send in their messages with suggestions as
to the operations or workings of the laws
which it is their business to enforce and
watch the workings thereof. Executive
officers have no business with policies. they
are not lawmakers. The people must de-
clare their policies through their legislators,
not their Presidents or governors. But a
wrong idea, it seems to me, possesses the peo-
pie; they need to be educated as to the real
aud proper functions of an executive officer
and legislator. The legislator really and
truly ranks the President or governor. The
lawmaking pc yer is the greatest on earth
Kings who recognize law, cannot with Inn
punlty disregard the lawmaker. Certain
powers granted the President or governor
gives to him an Importance he would not
otherwise have. Power is more or less feared
and courted In a government like ours,
the gift Of Office from the President or gov
ernor will always create sycophants, tools,
demagogues and noisy partisans.
NJ g. 4 Al
the general senders, for they certainly need
instruction if understand anything about
the government under which live, and the
way the masses talk
Men are only great. or make themselves
great, when the opportunity comes to them.
circumstances and Surroundings declare
what is in man. / was struck with that
fact in reading Talleyrand's memoirs.
Napoleon was innately great, because he
had mind to grasp, to plan and to exc
cute what he thought. He saw and knew
his opportunity, he then created circum-
stances and controlled them after they were
created. Grover Cleveland, unknown to
the country, except as governor of New
York, was thought to be Gu available"
man for the presidency. He was nominated
and elected. He had his opportunity to
show what was in him, and be made
name and reputation that will rank with
the best Presidents we have ever
bad. So impressive was his admin
istration upon the country that though de-
feated for a second term, the suggestions he
gave to congress aud his personal admins
tration of executive affairs marked him as
no ordinary man. He had an individual
will and force of character approaching
that of President jackson.
The common sense of the mass of the peo-
pie can always be trusted; that sense which
can grasp or size up good and able man;
that sense which addresses itself to their
common understanding. AS to their p)lit-
ical sense, have but very little respect for
it, and would no more go to the mass Of the
people for political knowledge than |
would 60 to them for scien-
tidc or theological knowledge. 1t is the
duty, the great duty and privilege of editors,
statesmen and true politicians to instruct
and enlighten the ma of the people.
Mr.. Cleveland has certainly been no ordi-
nary factor as political teacher; he has
left a record on That point. He stands out
pre-eminently clear as to his policy or ideas
as to legislation.
Gov. NOW SENATOR Hill of New
York has his great opportunity. The field
is open, clear and inviting TO him. He Is
now a legislator, if be has the elements or
gifts of a statesman or politician, not a
partisan, in him he can Impress himself
upon the country. Great is his opportunity,
and great will be his failure IL he does not
impress the country.
We put to Senator Hill the same ques-
tons that the Montgomery Advertiser put
to him when in Alabama: What is your
position with regard to protectionl Are
you for or against free coinage of silverp
Those are livi z and vital questions of gov
ernmental policy. 90 not want to near
anything about the Democratic party, for
party is the nest from which demagogues
aud politicasters are Matched by thousands.
This Il the day and the nour for statesmen
and broad politicians tostep TO the frout and
educa the people as to what is best for he
general government r. NJ o.