The morning call., 1892-02-12
CLEVELAND AND HILL.

Young Americans who desire to acquaint
themselves with the practical working of
political institutions should keep close watch
II the pending contest between ex-Presi-
dent Cleveland and Senator Hill of New
0rk an impression prevails with some
Democrats shat the party is likely TO carry
New York this fall, aud with New York
the country; the man who goes into con-
Fentj9u with the Empire State in his pocket
runs some risk Of becoming President. 1t
is on this prospect that Hill is banking.
Of the Democrats Of New York CleVe-
land is the natural leader. He is the best
exponent they have Of Democratic prin-
clple5. lie emb0dies their political creed
perhaps more thoroughly than any cap
tain they have. But be seems limo
cent Of political wiles. He is frank on
the border Of indIscretion. He expresses
opinions when for his own interests he had
better hold lis tongue. lie cares not whom
he aatagGnizes in his UnTeserved professions
d faith He pr0c.aims what lie believes to
b8 tie truth, when it is self-eYident that
tie proclamation will cost him votes. More
than tits. he is careless about making
friends. Wien he was President he seemed
% take pleasure in alternating those upon
whom be Lad 10 rely Tor support in Con-
g-ess. II is said that a Congressional in
dorsement was fatal TO an applicant for
CtHce. III is an honest clear-headed man
But he Is SO sure Of his own honesty that
lie doubts the honesty Of all who differ with
him. He is so certain that he is right On
al propositions that he VIII not admit the
possibility OF there being two opinions on
any Of them.
Hi Is the reverse Of all this. He is a
keen, indeiaugabIe machine politician
lie is a master Of all the tricks by which
min0rities car be converted into maj0rities.
and vice versa. lie is unequaIed as a mani
pulatOr OF men. And be is tireless and
trusts 30 one TO 10 work which he can do
himself When be was elected Senator, he
refused TO resi- IN the GOYernorship. be-
cause in that Office he could supervise the
reorganization Of the party. The retention
Of both offices was unprecedented and in
decent but it was not illegal. He had no
sooner taken his seat in the Senate than ne
returned to New York to manipulate per-
sonally Wayne, Cayuga, Erie. Genessee and
Chautauqua, in which counties the Demo-
Gratis have been Cleveland men. Contrary to
all precedent, he insisted that the State Cen
trai Committee should call the State con-
vention for February y, because be is
ready and Cleveland is not. As a condi-
tion Of supporting Flower in the last con-
vention he stipulated that be would control
patronage and party action on measures
with political bearings. Flower keeps his
bargain. and refers all who come to him for
Office or council to David B. Hill BY his
exhaustive canvass OF his party in the State,
he has acquired knowledge Of men, and
acquaintance with their purposes, and a
personal influence among them greater than
has been possessed by any New Yorker
since the time Of Samuel J. Tilden.
II hardly requires the gift of prophecy to
foresee that unless all signs fail, he will
probably secure from the convention which
meets in q week from next Monday solid
delegation to the national convention.
Cleveland viii be where Thurman O Ohio
was in 1o62-on the shelf. 1t is said TO be
all very well to talk Of principles. But
parties want to carry elections, and it is the
man who can win, not the man who may
lose, they are after. So far as appears on
the surface Mr.. Hill is going through polt-
zeal life in light-marching order, so far as
principles are concerned. It is not certain
that he has fixed opinions on any question
or any convictions which be is not prepared
command the assent Of majority Of voters
He is essentially an oppUrtunist, prepared
TO c0Quot with any party and indorse any
heresY which looks as though it would
be popular. But he possesses the dexterity
which achieves results, and that VIII COM
mend him to the crowd which would rather
win with knaYe than fail with Cato.
Thoughtful citizens could not see his ele-
walton to the Presidency without apprehen-
sion. Though the checks Of safeguards pro-
vded by tie Constitution restrain the power
Of President from prostitutng his Office to
his personal ambition, he has sill power
enough to do a great Ceal of mischief, as the
career of Andrew johnson proved. But the
prosperity OF the United States rests on
foundations too solid to be shaken by any
chief magistrate; il has survived the imbe-
cTllty Of several Presidents. and it cannot
be permanently arrested by the misconduct
Of any unworthy successor.