Los Angeles herald., 1892-05-13
FRIDAY. MAY ls. 1889.
MR. wATTERsoN ON MR.. CLEvELANp's
CANDIDACY.

CANDIDACY.
On the first Of the current month Mr..
Henry Wattersen, the well.known edi-
tor of the Louisville Courier-J ournal,
sent to his paper a two and half col
nmn analysis Of the political situation
which is worthy of careful pelusal. 1t
is devoted to both of the distinguish d
gentlemen hailing from New York,
whose candidacy for president has bee u
widely discussed, and in it Mr.. Waiter
son pronounces them both impossible
nominees if the Democratic party is to
entertain any hope of success. Portions
of this telegraphic editorial have been
extensively reproduced. but the. whole
effusion is noteworthy.
We wish to devote some attention this
morning to those portions of the article
which relate to Mr.. Cleveland, and for
obvious reasons. Mr.. Watterson has
been on terms of the most cordial init
macy with the ex-president. When
Mr.. Cleveland occupied the White
House, Mr.. John &. Carlisle and Mr..
Henry Watterson probably had more
influence with him than any two other
% Democrats in the United States-proba-
bly, more than any dozen others. This
cordial friendship has never been
broken. Consequently the views ad-
vauced by the great Kentucky editor
in no respect are biased by ill-will.
They are the undoubted reflection of his
good will and best judgment. Person
ally, he would far rather see Mr.. Cleve-
land in the White House than any
other man who az been named for the
position.
Mr.. Watterson begins his article by
the true stateme that never in the
history OF the Democratic party have we
had to confront more serious situation
than in the oming national Democratic
convention. He adds that Mr.. Cleve-
land has been and is the choice OF an
overwhelming majority OF the Democracy
outside of New York, but that in the
state Of New York such strength as he
has lies outside the body Of working
Democrats. He then says;
Mr.. CleveIand's great strength in New
York is the Mugwunp press; press
able and noisy. but potent among Dem
ocrats only for mischief, acting as re-
peIling and disturbing element among
those upon whom, after all, the brunt Of
the battle must fall.
II the Mugwu1np press we're strong
enough to compel the Democratic masses
to fall in behind 1t, and to yield submis.
sion to lite lead, Mr.. Cleveland might
carry New York. But, in proportion as
the ex-preaident is strong with the Mug
wumps, he is weak with the Democrats.
There is an actuality here, condition
and not theory, which the Democrats
OF the country at large are bound to take
into advisement if they are not resolved
to rush the party to destruction in the
next election; but there is also a senti-
ment, which ought to find some lodge
ment in every true Democratic heart.
These New York Democrats are men,
like ourselves. They are Democrats,
like ourselves. They have their rights
OF choice, particularly as respects one
of their own number, and their pride of
organization and locality, as well. Is it
fair for men. calling themselves their
brothers, and knowing nothing of their
inner habits of mind or being, to fall
upon them by sheer force of numbers
and compel them not only to undo what
they have done, not only to surrender
their organization and abandon their
candidate, but to accept candidate
they have rejected. and to form in line
behind leaders and newspapers whom
they recognize only as lifelong enemies
If it were fair, would it be wise? TAX
ing human nature for what it is, how
much show of carrying the state of New
ho loft ha had
hearted enough and foolhardy enough
IT, undertake it? This is an exact ac-
count of the situation which exists in
the state of New York, and no intelli-
gent man. who is sufficiently disinterest-
ed to see and to feel the truth, will gain
say word of it.
1t would be very hard, indeed, to con-
centrate more hard political sense in
short passage than is embodied in the
foregoing. In estimating its force the
fact ought to be borne in mind that
these are the views of man who has all
along opposed the candidacy of David
Bennett Hill, and who, out Of regard for
the interests of the Democratic party,
has unwlllingly abandoned his advocacy
of the claims Of Grover Cleveland. That
he has unsurpassed facilities for gauging
the sentiment of the New York Democ-
racy few people will feel disposed to dis
pute. He continues:
This is no time for words of mere per-
eonal complaisance and eulogy; and, at
risk OF being charged with unfriendli-
ness to Mr.. Cleveland, whom in many
things / sincerely respect, and for whom
have certainly nothing but sentiments
of regard, let me run over the story as
1T has been related to me by Democrats
OF credit from one end OF the state of
New York to the other.
This story in single sentence is that
two years as governor and four years as
president, completely destroyed Mr..
Cleveland with the men who had made
him governor and president, leaving
him not one single warm, devoted per-
sonal friend among those Democrats on
whom the party is won't, to rely for its
organization and leadership.
It is charged on every hand that he
sx1cn h al In TO 4 !