New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-24
CLEVELAND AND STEPHENSON.


The Democratic party has chosen its ticket
and could not possibly have pleased kepuo-
Icans better than by the nominations II mas
made Jts candidates smell of defeat. Mr.
Cleveland was beaten at the last Presidential
election Mr.. Stevenson, after two terms III
Congress. was defeated by the people in 1850,
and though he ran as Greenback and Demo-
cratic candidate, pandcring to the worst imam
cial beresos. was set aside by the voters OF his
district in at least two successive campaigns
as useless lumber. From his political grave
President Cleveland resurrected him to I'LL the
post of Assistant Postmaster-Gencral, but IL
would be grotesque absurdty to elect him as n
possible President. 1t is a ticket OF two back
numbers. Mr.. Cleveland was sent to private
life four wears ago, and Mr. Stevenson twelve
wears ago. so that the ticket might properly be
translated. yesterday and Day Before Yes
tcrday.u Palmer would have had some strength
in Illinois. and Morrison would have had some.
Gray would have had strength in Indiana
Rut if Mr.. Clevelands enemies did not inten-
tionally load him down by nominating Mr.
Stevenson for Vice-President, they will be
suspected of it.
The nomination of Mr.. Cleveland has been
hopefully anticipated by all his political OPP
moments. Four years ago he was the unques-
toned choice of New-York Democrats but was
beaten. This year solid delegation from his
own State opposes him, and tells the National
Convention that he cannot be elected After
full and fair trial President, his own State
and the country put him aside in 1883 ana
vet he had with him then a Vice-PreSldential
candidate who was particularly strong IN ono
and Indiana, as Mr.. Stevenson is not strong
even in Illinois, Personal confidence in MIR.
Cleveland regarding the money question Will
count for little when men know that his aSso-
ciate on the ticket, the possible President in
case of Mr. Cleveland's death, is man whose
past record, and whose personal relations with
some of the worst and most reckless agitators
warrant the belief that he was chosen as a
counterpose. The only strength OF Mr.. Steven
son is weakness in the Eastern States, which
Mr. Cleveland must carry in order to be elected
Even with him the ticket will not be strong IN
the West or in the Alliance States of the South,
and there is much reason to suspect that 1t is
not intended to be elected by the people.
Democrats know that Mr. Cleveland is weak
or than he was four years ago. He lacks now
the enormous power so effectively exerted in
his behalf by Secretaries Whitney, Villas, Fair
child and other Cabinet officers, and by the
host of Federal officials who had been care
fully selected during four-years term for
their ability to control votes. Then he was
the man in possession, and business interests
always shrink from a change of Administra-
ton, merely because the new man may bring
new methods and new policies. Now the bust
ness world has become accustomed to the meth
DDS and policies of President Harrison, and
regards any proposed change with distrust
No official influence will be used improperly in
his favor, but it is equally certain that official
influence will not be used unscrupulously
against him as il was four years ago.
There is yet one possibility for Mr.. Cleve-
land, though he should fail of an election by
the people. After the shrewdest Democrats
in the country had publicly declared
that he could not be elected, the
party has not nominated him in the hope that
any miraculous intervention of Providence will
occur in his behalf. 1t has apparently chosen
a plan Of action which is at once the most
cunning and yet the most foolish ever adopted
by political party. 1t hopes for and will
quietly encourage the success of the Alliance
ticket in enough States to throw the election
into the House. In few Republican States
the Democrats will support Alliance electors,
and beg Republicans to do likewise. In some
Democratic States they will look on with com
pacency if Republicans are silly enough to
bargain with the third party. If the scheme
succeeds, the third party will carry enough
Republican States to throw the election into
| the House, and there Cleveland will be elected
It is a poor showing for the boastful Free
Trade party which was so sure of victory a
| year ago. The attempt to capture the Presi-
dency by trick will not befool as many Re-
| publican voters as some men think The nom
| nation of Cleveland and Stevenson stakes
| everything on the ability Of the Democrats to
| beg,le Republican voters into casting third
| party votes. We shall see whether sturdy and
| level voters of the West will be cheated
| in any such fashion.