New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-29
AIR CLEyELANDS OPPORTUNITY.

AIR. CLEVELANDS OPPORTUNITY.
II docs not need to he pointed out that Mr..
Cleveland has before him not only the oppof-
tunity of his life but one OF the greatest OPP
portunitjcs that ever fell to any man to make
for himself an enduring fame. FROM the tlmc
he first took Office IN Buffalo his career has
been in some respects the most remarkable OF
any recorded in the annals OF American states
men, Other men have risen from positions
equally obscure ~ similar emlnence. several
,,mos will occur to the reader as proper To be
included in this category. But the reader Will
recall no instance we think, where simple be-
lief in ones self and logged sclf-aSScrion, I'M
connected with any great achievement any
manifestation Of genius or originality OF NINA
or with profound learning or brilliant attain
mcntS. have wrought out such results. NIKE
AL the successful politicians who have pre-
coded him. he has not only displayed an ute:
! lack of tao. in c1ncating opponents ana
rcconciling factions within his own party, but
has seemed at times more disposed TO agGra-
vate differences and antagOnlze his pohiIca
| associates than to heal breaches and strengthen
| his pal1v. In spite OF all this he WAS rcnom-
mated over the most violent opposition ever
encountered by candidate and in the face
Of what seemed irIcc)ncabc factiOnal differ
cnces in his party has been reelected by
majority that astoniShcd his most sangnlne
supporters.
There are not few who reviewing MS
career and the conditions under which he has
been candidate for public Office VIII a'cIIDe
his success in the onhand way with when
some people dash off an easy solution OF the
my StoiiJus and unaccountabIc to pure luck
And it must be said that if there he such
thing as pure luck Mr.. Cleveland was born t.
il But leaving thai aside a. an entirely I'M
satisfactory attempt to explain Mr.. Cleveland :
career. we are driven to the conclusion that
he owes his success chiefly to what Appeals 10
be the dominating quality of his mind, his
absolute AMI unqualified belief in himself. lie
actually believes himself t. be. in the language
Of his MucWump admirers. better than hI'
palty." Not only better but wiser. And what
ever he may say with conventional modoSiI
and humility about his obligations G. the party
for the unusual confidence rcposcd IN him, Il;
heart he undoubtedly considers the Obligation
| 10 be on the other side that the party Is IN
dcbted to him for bringing it into power and
not he to the party for the hOnOrS that have
been Iaincd upon him. And however the
party leaders may rebel at the suggestion that
they owe him everything, he them nothing,
they must admit that there Is great deal III
tho situation to justify his cOmplaccnt self
assertion.
1t will not be denied by any unparalleled
person that Mr.. Cleveland has grown intel
lcctually and broadcncd in his view with OK
pcrioncc and trial. We are very glad to be
able t, say this Of the man who has once held
the Office of President and has now been re-
called to it by the voice of the people. More
than this we can say in all honesty that We
shall be clad to sec him administer the GOV
eminent during the next four years IN such Il
WAY a. TO maintain lis dignity and preserve
the high and honorable standing il holds among
the nations Of the earth. We would not for
PARTISAN or any other reasons have II other
wise And we confess that orr hope that he
will be able TO do this IcstS mainly upon his
unboundcd belief in himself and his strenuous
self as ,criOn 1t is a party of incOncluouS
elements that he has behind him with all sorts
OF principles and notions and beliefs, bat no
settled policy, no creed. 1t is AT one with
t.cf upon no question except The desire for
Office, and on that il will break into factions
50 soon Is il is found tina, there are not Offices
enough 10 60 round His attitude on this sub
icct is 81 far encouraging. If he can live up
to his announced purpose 30 treat tho victory
Of his party rs something else than license
70 rcvcl in partisan ,poil," he will greatly serve
his country and mcaSulably promote hi. own
fame 1t will not enhance his popularity with
practical politicians, but he has already shown
that he need not care for that. Moreover, hay
ing been three times candidate and twice
elected it may well be supposed that the cup
of his ambition is full and there is no tcmpta-
ton consequently t. concilate the support Of
the politicians by dfCpl Ing 10 their lc'ol He
did that once and made a failure Of il. His
opportunity is TO lead his patty and not be
led by il to demonstrate that he is actually
q better than his party" The difficulties in his
way are enormous. but the opportunity also
is great. If his capacity for affairs is as great
as his belief in himself he can overcome the
one and seize the other.