The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-02
A srnrxrso rAnAILEI.
Clay ana Van Bsrea-The Republisnns and
Cleveland.

Clay ana Van Bsrea-The Republisnns nnt
| Cleveland.
To THE EDrron OF THE SuN-Sr. Re
| Gently Gov. Brown OF Georgia, in q very strone
letter. called attention to matters Of past his
tory arising out OF the celebrated and never.
to-be-forgotten campaign OF 1874. and quite
aptly drew q comparison OF Mr.. Van Duren's
claims for denomination after ho had been do.
feated by Harrison tRrandfather) for the
Presidency at the general election in 1910.
and Of the claims OF Mr.. Cleveland for renom-
ination now, after his defeat for tho same
Office by Harrison grandson, In 1888. The
comparison or analogy might have boon en-
larged. and 1t Is not yet too late nor Is it i'm
proper at oil. in n FREQ and open discussion OF
all things connected with and having bear
Ing upon 80 grave and important matter. to
extend 1t. In strict conformity to history.
1t Is history. written and uncontradictcd.
TINT in 1874 Mr.. Clay. the gallant leader. and
tho idol OF the Whig party. was anxious. ne
were his friends. to have Mr.. Van Buren, nomi.
mated by tho Democratic party. because they
fclt certain. with the stain OF previous dersat
upon him. while he was President and held
all possible advantages to command tho stu
alton. his defeat at tho coming election was
almost assured. This very anxious desire OF
Mr.. Clay and his friends to have Mr.. Van
the Democratic party to cast him aside and
select another. which was done. and Mr.. Polk
became President. and not Mr.. Clay In truth,
no moro powerful element contributed to
bring about this selection than this ardent
wish Of Mr. Clay and his friends for Mr.. Van
Buren's nomination. And It Is well known
how Mr.. Clay was disappointed. and how no
expressed his disQuietude at tho result. and
now he regarded tho situation as wholly
changed by tho rejection OF Mr.. Van Buren,.
All this will more fully and moro neatly ap-
pear to the render by reference to Mr.. Blaino's
Twenty Years OF Congress-" Vol. /. chap. .,
p. 20. &c.
Now for the application.
At tho present time every Republican. from
tho highest to tho lowest. in place or out OF
place. official or non-ofllcinl. hcsitates not to
say Mr. Cleveland Of all men is tho only man
the Democrats should nominate. and they
have no kind word. not even soft expression,
Tor any other ofthc very prominent and worthy
names mentioned in regard o tho Presidency.
Indeed. 30 anxious are they about it they,
with much emphasis. recomm end his nominal
ton to Democrats. and to IN unsophs.icated
mind would seem to be sorry unto real
anguish they had voted against him at tho
last election. There are men. honest. of plan
ana direct intentions. and many OF them skep-
teal enough to doubt the high patriotism and
unsclfsh purposes OF tho Republicans in their
wishes and desires respecting the Democratic
nominee for the Presidency. ind nre much in
clinod to the belief that as history is philoso-
ply teaching the example. and as history so
often repeats itself. they arc moved and nc
tuated by the same considerations precisely,
rs were Mr.. Clay and his friends in reference
to Mr.. Van Buren's nomination in 1874. as
rnn In In boob ~ nat ,itI IT.
referred to. who was always ono OF the most
devoted admirers of Harry of the West"
Then We must reflect. without Mt all nuos-
toning the great sincerity Of motive of tho
Republicans in clamoring for Mr.. Clovcland's
1t Is but human nature after all
and we cannot help it, for ono making a worry
doubtful contest to desire weak adversary,
one who can be easily overpowe-od and do
feated: and this is true In all struggles. from
the juvenile game Of school children to the
great conflict for mastery and control OF tho
biggest empires.
To fear the Greeks. though they bring gifts
was wise when uttered. and time hus conse-
Grated its wisdom. Beware Of the udvice OF
tho enemy and do not permit him to plan and
arrange tho battle. so. as we are free. in the
absence OF better rule. to Judge the future
by the past. We should but let the light Of that
and give us wisdom in the approaching cam
pagn and leave Mr.. Cleveland to his we'll
earned quiet and repose and look elsewhere
Tor standard bearer. ono for example who
has never known defeat but has, better oven
han Cesar tho foremost man OF all this
world" won every battle.
Another item connected with that struggle
II 1874. as viewed and vol portrayed by
Mr.. Blaine In his book already mentioned.
nay not be without its Importance hore. Mr..
fan Buren, had before that received two nom
nations under tho two-thirds rule adopted at
he suggestion Of his friends. At the Conven-
ion OF 1874 some Of his friends. seeing that he |
lad majority Of the delegates already
pledged and instructed for him. made strnn-
ious effort to repeal this rule and adopt O |
majority rule. which gave rise to q heated and |
'ngry debate: but tho two-thirds rule re- |
NAMED. and what was before shield to pro-
oct and save Mr.. Van Buren, now became q |
word to cut him down.
Even now it is bruited about that Mr.. |
,leveland's friends. believing that he will 60
nto the Convention with a majority intend to
ave the two-thirds rule sot aside and adopt |
he majority rule But this must meet with
ne same tate like attempt met with in 1874.
nd II 1t should be true (which 1t will not he,
owever) that Mr.. Cleveland will havo n ma
ority powerful and aggressive minority
I'LL stubbornly demand that no shall be sub
ected to the same test which has been twice
N posed to his benefit: and tho party will soc
hat this demand be granted and tho time
onored rule stand. Its wisdom was fully at
,sted In 1874: so lot 1t rule for 1892.
These arc precious lessons OF tho past that
hould be studied and closely thought over by
hose OF the Democracy who are taking part In
haping the very important canvass now upon
his country.
DEMOCRAT WHO DESIRES VICTORY,
WASHINGTON. April 28