The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-09
A MUGWUMP OPINION.
MT. Cleveiand's Nomination Would NJ
Insure Democratic Success.

MT. Cleveiand's Nomination Would Not
Insure Democratic Success
Harpers Weekly.
As an independent observer of politics.
We cannot agree with those who think
that the nomination of Mr.. Cleveland 10 all
that ia necessary to restore the Democratic
party to national power. his nomination
would secure the candidacy OF q man
whose views upon public questions seem
TO US very sound, ana who has
courage. But events are constantly dem-
Onstrating that be as not q real representa-
tive of the Democratic party. and for that
reason we ore not disposed To think that he
would DO it's strongest candidate. de
would undoubtedly receive the support Of
a large independents vote and of many in
dependent journals, but ho would lose
larger Democratic support The
sl1Ues p to- him except some of
the tree-silver leaders like Mr.. Mills
and Mr.. Carlisle. VITO are willing to re-
cover party power upon more promising
issue, like tariff reform, leaving the chance
of silver legislation TO follow snch recOv-
cry. But the unsOund currency men would
do as the friends OF Mr. Hill in New York
did in the campaign of 1885. They would
smile and stab.
But apart from that. the denomination of
Mr.. Cleveland would be contrary to all
party precedent. Sir. John Bigelow states
the case accurately In saying: "A President
who seeks a denomination asks the coun-
try to approve of his adm inistratiOn. Mr..
Cleveland sought q denomination. ana In q
perfectly fair contest his admins
tratiOn was not approved of. No
national convention Will care to
commit the fortunes of the party TO ves-
sci which the people have deliberately
pronounced unseaworthy." OF conrse IL
may be said that MIR. Cleveland was sold
out in New York by the friends of Mr.. Hill.
but the dishonors Of cheating and bribery
Il
words. Mr.. Bigelow's perfectly fair
contest" means AS fair rs usual.
His statement, we say, 10 ac-
cuarate from the party point Of view.
A party convention would naturally take
that view. and 1t Is quite pathetic To soc
how resOiuteiy newspapers that wish TO SEQ
Mr.. Cleveland nominated insist that he
will be. We should gladly see his nomins-
ton. but AS honest observers and reporters
of the signs of the times, We cannot profess
to expect il. Ii the Democratic par
ty were solely intent upon tariff
reform. sound currency. and o
reformed civil service. IL would. OF course.
nominate Mr. Cleveland. But it has other
views upon some of these questions are not
thOs1 OF his party. That Is the reason, not
the force of personal jealousics and In
trigues, which seems to us to make his
nomination improbable.
There is another view which 10 also
worthy of attention. If il be still uacer-
tain. as 10 universally agreed, whether the
Democratic party is or Is not bent Upon
tamprring with the currency. ana II Its
decision upon this point must DO deter
mined in favor of honesty by small
majority. acting not upon grounds OF
conviction, but OF temporary exprdiency.
as In the case of Messrs. Mills and Car lisle.
! are honest and conservative men. iecnuse
, they desire tariff reform. quite ready 10
help To bring the Democratic party into
! powerf We do not say that they may not.
| In the alternative il may be the wiser
! course. But certainly the present po-
sition of the party shows that il
does not discharge the duty OF party in
our political system. A party Is properly
an organized body composed of those " ho