The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-20
THE ry,Turr ~"MUGwUMP."

When Hon. Grover Cle'cla"u was hOm-
mated in 1884 by the Democracy OF the Union
for tho presidency Of the United States
agoinst Hon. James G.. Blaine, the thought
mi and right thinking element Of the Re-
nphlican marty. who bad grown weary ana
d;s,us,e1 with the corruption and misruie
30 Radicalism. were quick TO SEQ in him the
o~ualities for lust such a Chief Magistrate rs
they felt the country needed. These qualities
were more and more strongly developed esthe
campaign progressed. and we're brought OUT
=, tho strongest relief by contrast with his
, opponent. who had for so many years beeh
prominently identified with Radicalism. and
who. il was known. would, II elected. be no
better (he could not have been worse than
his Republican predecessors. These re-
pentant Republicans therefore deter
miDcd 10 support Mr. Cleveland III
preference 10 the nominee OF their own Ola
party. and at that time the Democrats every
where were glad enough to receive the benefit
OF their assistance. as they had not only
learned by bitter experience what uphill
work 1t was 10 upset the power Of the RepuD-
lican party. which had been so firmly fastened
on the country that it was able even to steal
the presidency with impunitY. but the men,
DRY Of man runneth not to the contrary when
any political party. anywhere in the world
was not anxious 70 receive any aid as would
enable it to achieve success and compass the
downfall of It's enemies.
But because these Disguised Republicans
saw fit to exercise their rights as ireemen ana
American citizens and vote for, and help elect
the Democratic nominee, they we're dubbed
in derision by their party "Mugwumps' by
which name they soon came to be generally
known. But now, because they aided IN re-
storing good government and ASSISTED the
Democrats 10 elect Mr.. Cleyeland-who gave
rs the first and only honest and CONSCIENTIOUS
administration the country has known tor
oyer thirty years-the enemies OF the ex-Pre,i-
dent take great delight in applying the same
epithet not only r. Republicans who
bolted their party, but also 20 those Demo
Gratis who applaud that administration and
honor the man to whose greatness the coun-
try Is indebted for II.
A very little reflection will serve TO show
the utter absurdity and supreme folly Of such
conduct. There are to be found among the
friends and supporters Of Mr.. Cleveland. be-
cause he is the leading exponent IN the coun-
try to-day OF tie principles of true Demo
cracy. men Of the highest and purest type Of
character. whose lifelong devotion 70 Demo
cratic teachings cannot DO questioned. and
besides this. three-fourths of the Democratic
masses Of the country are undoubtedly TOR him
to-day. This has been shown wherever any et-
fort has been made 20 do so. The TINES.
some months ago. felt the pulse Of the Democ-
racy OF Virginia on the subject. and the result
was a decided preference for Mr.. Cleveland
over the entire field. and the same result
has invariably attended all Ike efforts to get
at popular Democratic sentiment IN other
States. 1t is this voice Of the Democratic
masses of the Union which the enemies of the
ex-President are trying to sthle with the ma
chine.
Nothing can be found in the career of Mr..
Cleveland 10 justify the attempt to bring his
Democracy in derision. No one can truth
fully deny that as President he showed earn
est devotion to the principles of his party.
He believed in a strict construction OF the
United States Constitution, and every act OF
his was in accord with the requirements OF
that instrument. lie believed in the
rights OF the States and carefully re-
framed from infringing upon OF inter
fering with the autonomy and authority If
every member Of the Federal Union. He
despised sectionalism, and knew no North nor
South in seeking Tor able and capable Demo
cratic officials to represent his country at
home and abroad. He was an earnest be-
lever in the Democratic doctrine of a tariff
no heavier than the needs Of the country de.
manded. and. while his party was hesitating
on this subject. he boldly flung the standard
Of tarid reform g. the breeze. lie believed
in administering the affairs Of the country
economically and honestly. and there was not
one single doctrine Of Democracy which he
was not ready fearlessly to practice, advocate
and MAINTAIN.
Yet with such a fawless Democratic admin
stration as this. opponents of the ex-PresL
dent are seeking TO create the impression that
he aud his friends are Mugwumps. and they
have in this a fit leader in the New York sun,
3 which. under the guise of Democracy. has
never missed an opportunity to give the Dem.
/ ocratic party an assassiu's stab IN the back
; and which even went 30 far. in 1884. as to rs
/ and defeat the Democratic candidate with such
] a creature as Ben Butler. Let the s%poilsmen
however, 20 on under that leadership with
5 their attempts to bring the true Democracy
> Of the country into contempt. Inc more
4 they try it the more ridiculous they will ap
8 pear. and. in the end, will find that they havi
8 only excited laughter and ridicule asains
themselves.
DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT.
Althe indications point 10 an early dissolu
5 ton of Parliament. and 1t will not be loni
% subsequent to that event when the Englisi
-. LII 10 nnIIna nnnn 70 dncida "A L