New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-26
MR. ELKINSO ON THE OUTLOOK
THE SECRETARY OF WAR SHOWS WHY TIE
REPUBLICANS ARE INVlNCIBLE

HARRISON THE LOGICAL CANDIDATE FROM HIS
RECORDING DoDGING TIE TARIFF
ISSUE POSSIBLE.
Try TELEGRAPH TO HE TRIBUNE!
Washington, June 25.-Secretary Elkins
asked this morning what his real views of the
political situation were that the battles for
the nominations
THAT reminds me" the ready reply, OF
the Westerner who. just after judge of his
bailwick had rendered decision in an important
case, innoocntly took the astonished jurst aside
and asked him what his real private opinion of
the merits Of the case wac. See? My real
views have 80 long been known and often
publicly expressed, it seems almost work of
supererogation to repeat them
The inquiry half joculary made at first. was
repeated more earnestly, and drew some inter
ssting observations from the man, who is one of
the cooest-headed, most practical politicians OF
the Administration group
Il perceived many months age that, for vGri-
oils reasons, the PRESIDENT was the most avail
able man the Republicans could nominate. To
use a much hackneycd but none the less true,
phrase, he rapabiy the logical candidate Of
his party, as it appeared to me. General harri-
son, from every consideration, not only avail
able. but, Furthermore, entitled to renonina-
ton by reason of his services TO the country.
The masses of the Republican party felt mat 1t
was so, and their pressure made 1t Impossible TO
defeat the President at Minneapolis. And the
plain reasons that conspired TO make him ln-
yincble for denomination will make him in
yincible at the pcls in November. Briefly, these
were and continue to be my real views concern
ing the political situation
But, Mr.. Secretary, you are aware than you
are now confronted By a condition and not
theory; does the nomination of Mr.. Cleveland In
any manner modify your views or weaken your
confidence in the outcome of the canvass
HARRISON WILL WIN ON HIS RECORD.
mot at ALL" replied Mr.. Elkins. in decided
tones =" If anything, | am more confirmed In my
convictions than ever by Mr.. Ceveland's nonina-
ton. though had anticipated his success in the
Democratic convention. 1t made no difference
who was nominated at Chicago. Mr.. Harrison
will be reelected. His success WAS not dependent
upon the weakness of tie Democratic candidate
nor upon Democratic divisions. lie Will win on
tie record of his party and of his Administration.
The expressions of the Democratic politicians and
newspapers themselves indicated doubt Of their
ability to defeat the Republican candidate. l
will freely say | think Cleveland, in some re-
spects the best candidate they could have chosen;
but in one the greatest essential, he Is the
weakest There can he lodging the tarln
issue with Cleveland as the Democratic candidate.
The Republican party is entitled to and Will
succeed the platform of the Democratic con
vcntion and the action Of the convention leading
up TO tit. The platform in itself as adopted Is
the nearest approach 10 free-tra1e this country
has ever seen except the out and out declaration
for free trade in the Confederate Constitution.
by vote of 564, the Democratic convention
openly refused to protect American labor by levy
oil de won IN lp
Of the difference between the price of labor in
this country ard the price of labor in
Europe BY this same vote. they also refused any
protection whatever TO American labor, ard 10 the
manufacturing interests Of the country. | think
the Republican party is strong to-day as it ever
was. It defeated Mr.. Cleveland on that issue in
1888, and can do it again.
DO you not think Mr.. Cleveland stands we'll
with the country personally? ~
THE DEMOCRATIC FORCES ARE DisrRUsTED.
with the large majority of his party Mr. Clcvc-
Ind is unquestionaby popular; there is 10 gain
saying that after the exhibition we have seen at
Chicago. Butt il has been demonstrated thai the
country distrusts the forces behind the Demo
cratic candidate. Personally the country thought
well enough Of Cleveland in 1889, yet it wonid
have 70 more Of him for President. Pers nally
and also as an able Executive. tie Republican car
didate has won the confidence of the people to
greater degree than it was possessc by CIevehAH
and he has the tremendous adj itional advantage
with the business interests of all sections 'hnt
the party behind him is trustworthy on all 4nev-
tions of finance and commerce. with steaiy
nolicy generally understood and clearly adyan-
tageous to all interests
Our party and cur candidate have generally
won the confidence of the people engaged in
tbose busness enterprises more less exposed t.
wan
ness Democrats will regret the possibility Of
change and to prevent it will vote for Harrison
Nv eypcrience is that there is sentiment in bust
moss and little in politics. This being time OF
mace the people look 10 and will favor TIE party
that will best advance the material interests OF
the country.
1.-THE country is prosperous. True. IT might DC
equally prosperous, outside of legislation, under
Mr. Cleveland, but the purpose Of Mr. Cleveland
and his party now is TO break Gown
protection The business public will
take no chances; it will prefer 10
be satisfied with a sure thing, which Is eoou
enough thing They will argue it is hardly pos
siblc 10 improve upon the present situauoh' anu
that change is fraught with danger, and they VIII
arxue correctly and vote accordingly The
Tribune may SIT it down az certainty tnaC i'r
thee reasons the independent business men OF the
country. and especially those in New-YorK, are
for General Harrison. This is another reason WHY
hc was the logical candidate of his party, ana
uhr Tammanv md the New York Democracy arc
"a doubtful of the result in that State
Will the attitude OF the Tainmany peope In
Ns,v.yorlr and the discounted free sl'er people
Ct the South and West lie helpful to Harrison
40 RELIANCE on DEMOCRATIC "KNIFINE'
Far my mart / do not depend on any accl-
ao,t Tor success What have said before partly
answers your question So far as the machine
Is concerned. we shall have united democracy
10 Gcht in New-York and elsewhere. make no
" ' =, I.,oa nre-convention threats Of