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

The Dispatch of yesterday asks editorally
why cannot all good Democrats agree TO
drop Hill and Cleveland and go West for
Democratic nominee"
We propose to answer this question specif-
cally. but we want first to say that 1t is a most
gratifying fact TO find it in the Dispatch.
We feared recently that tho Dispatch was
about to become an open. unequiyocal adyo-
cate of the nomination of Governor HILL.
This indicates. however, that 1t IS by no
means OF opinion that Mr.. Hill is the most
suitable person for the Democrats to nOmi-
nate Just as Mr.. Cleveland brought 1t
around from the position of Randall pro-
lection journal to that of a tariff refOrner,
30 its reflections may yet bring 1t to recog
nizing what is a fact-that the great body of
the Democratic votes of this country want
Grover Cleveland TO be the Democratic
party nominee.
We will now answer the Dispatch's ques-
ton. The great body of the Democratic
voters of this country are unwilling to give
Mr. Cleveland up and take up new man for
three reasons.
lst As President he proved himself to be
an upright honest. faithful and fearless Of
fcer. who would do his duty as he saw and
understood it in spite Of the opposition OF
enemies OF the cajoeries of weakened
friends He gave to the country clean and
honorable administration, for which 1t Is most
grateful. They believe he will do the same
thing again, and they long to have it. They
are certain about him-they are not certain
about new man.
Cd. He framed and shaped the issue Of
tariff reform and thereby made himself the
very incarnation Of that principle. He has
drawn the line between the rights and
interests Of the great body of the
everyday people and of those who grow
rich and fat on eI tortions from the people by
virtue of laws enacted to pamper the one aud
Cypress the other. The people recognize him as
| the champion of their rights in this contest,
and they are not willing that he should be
passed by with the chance of weaker leader
being put in his place. They know where
they are when Clev sails the ship. they
do not know where they will be with a novice
at the helm
3D. They believe he would be declared to be
|
if matters were in such shape that their voice
could be heard. They believe that what dis
affection exists in the rank of the Democratic
party has its origin with Democratic poiti-
clans of New York. and that these are dissat-
isfed with him because they could not use
him either while Governor or President for
their own purposes. They believe that he
would not permit these politicians 10 dictate
to him now he should use the appointing
| power of New York or of the General Govern
ment. and th at they therefore found they had
no use for hi N. and therefore desire 10 sec
some other IN M President who will pay more
attention to what they wish.
This fact. Ilttead of lessening their prefer
ence for him, only makes it the more intense
They want their President TO be q man who
will not allow his Office TO be run" by heel
ers," "toe-wanners" or any kind of ring
They want him to be independent TO do what
he shall think Iaost effective for the common
good. They believe the fight against him in
New York is the work of parties who oppose
him because they cannot use him, and who
seek to Craze in his pastures They believe
that he has done tho work and that the others
wish to take the rewards. These are the rea-
sons why the great body of good Democrats
are unwilling TO drop Mr.. Cleveland and 20
| West for a nominee.