New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-05
MIR. CLETELAND'S STRENGTH.

Mr.. Cleveland's friends believe that he is the
strongest Democrat in the country The claim
need not he disputed. Let us assume that 1t
is true. and consider what it implies. Not even
his most passionate admirers will pretend that
Mr.. Cleveland has done anything within the
last four years to increase his popularity or
strength lie has made few speeches and
written few letters, but not one of them
fingers in the public memory not one contains
a sentence that the most ardent admirer can
remember Questions of domestic policy. qucS-
tions of foreign relations have excited the
country within the last four years, and other
leading men Of both parties have spoken on
these questions with effectiveness, dong much
TO enlighten and shape public opinion. But
Mr. Cleveland has added nothing to the public
information not thought from his voice or
pen has stirred the minds of men for the last
four years
Personally, Mr.. Cleveland is not stronger
than he was in 1855. Indeed, it might fairly
he inferred that he must have lost something
of the popularity he then enjoyed for public
man cannot retain his leadership and his place
in the regard of men without some effort
If he takes no part in public discussions, if he
does nothing TO Justify the confidence of peo-
pie in him as leader, some part of his pop
uarity mavoidaby disappears. But Nh Glove
land was only strong enough u be defeated IN
1883. Four years earlier he was elected by
fraud. A change of coo votes in this state
would have deprived him of the apparent ma
iority he received, and yet he had the support
of many thousand Republicans who, for one
reason or another chose to place confidence i'll
him as a reformcr. The simple fact that he
was weaker after four years in the W hlte
House than he was before the people had prac-
teal knowledge of his powers and his dlSposi-
ton goes long way. Only strong enough to
be beaten in 1855, Mr.. Cleveland would in all
probability he much more easily beaten to-day
unless his party has gained greatly in strength
and public opinion has moved declsivey in
favor of the principles and the policy he advo-
Gates.
Whether the party is stronger to-day than II
was four years ago is not difficult to determine.
It's phenomenal success in 1890 has led many
TO suppose that it has gained very largely in
public appreciation and support. But attcn-
ton has repeatedly been called 10 the fact that
the Democratic party did no; in tha; year cast
As many votes aS il had cast two years before.
1t succeeded because the Republican party
failed 10 poll It's full vote and particularly be
cause many thousand Republicans gave their
support in that year to the Alliance. To-day
the Republican party is more thoroughly united
and decidedly stronger than it was two years
ago. while the Democratic party, particularly
in some OF the Southern states. is hopcc>>iy
divided Ii is Il matter Of doubt whether the
Alliance may not carry several OF the southern
States in which the Democratic party has lot
many wears had overwhelming majOriticS. In
other Southern States, where the Democratic
puIality has been small, thiId party is cX-
cecdingly likely TO draw off votes enough 10
make Republican success easy and certain. Mr.
Cleveland is the one candidate among all others
who have been named on the Democratic side.
against whom the Third-pa organizers and
the supporters of the Alliance will make the
most desperate efforts. In that aspect he Is
probably weaker than any other Democrat who
could be named even though he might com
mand in some OF the Northern states a larger
s,lpport than any other Democratic candidate
But at the best he is "A candidate who was
beaten four years ago who has gained nothing
in strength since that time. and who cannot
to-day command nearly as large Republican
or Independent support as he was able to com
mand in either OF the two previous elections
when he was a candidate.