Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-01-21
Cleveland and Hill.

While the sentiment of the people of
the United States is for the denomination
of Cleveland, coterie of influential poll
ticians is opposed to him. By fair
thinking men, even in the party which
he antagoniZes, Cleveland is esteemed
for his candor, consistency and good in
tention. AT the Jackson Day dinner in
New York he reiterated his declaration
of abiding trust in the people and
straightforward dealing. "Let us not
fall under the condemnation which waits
on shifty schemes and insincere profess
sions." Party honesty is party duty,
and party courage is party expediency."
The opposition to Cleveland which has
been manifested by some of the party
leaders appears to be due, in New York,
to the rivalry of Hill; fear that all the
offices would not be thrown open to party
prey and a disreish for Cleveland's
"Mugwump" supporters. and in certain
sections of the West and South to his
emphatic declaration in favor of sound
currency. Cleveand's tariff views are,
however, acquesced in by his party, and
with the voters, almost TO man, at his
back, his opponents will find the task of
overthrowing him almost impossible.
Cleveland has proven himself a sin
cere, patriotic and earnest man. In the
days that he was n public life he never
faltered in the performance of his duty.
In his eyes the Office of Governor or
President was mere hand to execute
the laws. He sought efficiency in the
public service, Notwithstanding the pro-
tests of the politicians. He improved
the service and gave the country one of
the best administrations in its history,
but he lost the friendship of the politi-
clans. AS he was in official life, so he
has been since he became private citi-
zen. He showed sublime courage when
he declined to speak in Ohio last fall
Had he gone there the result might have
been different; at least his visit would
have added to his personal popularity in
the State. But the Democratic party in
Ohio had incorporated the free coinage
plank in its platform. Cleveland is
nothing if not consistent. He had de-
clared himself in opposition to free and
unrestricted coinage of silver, and he
could not stand on platform which ap-
proved it. Such man is statesman.
He is above trickery, demagogy and
charlatanism.
His most formidable opponent is David
B. Hill. That the latter has ability of
certain kind is not questioned. AS
willy politician and puller of strings he
has few equals. He keeps a close watch
on the weather-vane of public opinion,
and as the wind blows so he goes. He
is able to bestow patronage where it will
do the most good to himself-a trick
at which all ambitious politicians are not
entirely successful. These qualities are
sufficient for dabbler in State politics,
| but they do not count for quite so much
in question in which the. whole country
is concerned. Ability to scheme is moi
enough; higher and more substantial
accomplishments are demanded
But Hill, too, has tariff programme
and he outlined it in Il recent speech
| His is not the programme of the Demo
cratic party, however. 1t is one o
evasion and cowardice. 1t is dis
tinctively reactionary, and its tendenc,
is not clearly to define the tariff issue
but to confuse it, to embarrass it, and t.
put the party on the defensive. 1t
greatly to be regretted that, at tim
when the party throughout the countr
is rallying especially to the support of
free wool bill and bill reducing tn
taxes on the clothing of the people,
politician so influential and conspicuou
| aS NH SnOulu altempt 10 prevent Ill
representatives of the party in Congress
from doing what they can to carry out
policy to which the party stands un
equivocally pledged. Fortunately ther,
are no indications that the Democrats il
Congress will follow Hills strange advic,
in this matter. The practical unanimit,
with which the speech is condemned by
the Democratic press of the country il
evidence of the fact that the party, nov
thoroughly aroused to its danger, is no
disposed to tolerate proposals for thu
abandonment of its principles. 1t alsc
| demonstrates that the conscience anC
intelligence If the party is to be trusted
The Democratic National Committee
meets in Washington to-day to select
the time and place of meeting of the
National Convention. Several cities are
actively competing for the honor 1t is
asserted that the friends of Senator II
are working energetically for New York,
and that Cleveland's friends are advo.
eating Detroit.