Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-04-10

Sieyclard was opposed TO this measure.
AZ. auy rate none OF the Democratic
speakers were able to say that at any Tins
In the third place, 10 Great majority
Of Virginia people there never was more
obnoxious system than that OF the internal
fevenue-with its spies and informants. its
marshals and depnty-marshais arresting
the people on false charges, dragging them
70 United States grand juries at great dis
fances from their homes. aud subiectlng
them 70 the greatest possible annoyances
The tobacco tax especially has always
been an object OF detestation by the peo-
pie OK the state, II MIR. Cleveland ever
exerted himself in any way TO abolish that
system ntu not aware OF Il. IL wes very
well understood that be was opposed to
the repeal of the tobacco tax. ana that the
whole influence of his administration was
with those western Democrats who favored
Its continuance.
xErr THU REPUBLICANS IN oTrIcr.
There were other influences which OPP
Grated TO diminish the vote of the Demo-
cratic party in that election. That party
bad risen 10 power from small beginnings
IL had encountered great and vehement
opposition in the North. II had been de-
nounced bv Republican leaders az lacking
in patriotism and common respectability,
and after twenty wears of heroic effort,
victory pcrched upon its hampers. When
success came. the rank and file OF the
party. rs well as the leaders, reasonably
and naturally thought that Republican
officials would be turned out of Of
the men who had fought the bat
tle aud won the victory. Mr.. Cleveland
did not hold TO that view. He retained IN
Office q large number of Republicans ell
over the country. The Democrats OF New
York city on passing along the street had
only TO look into the windows OF the post
Office building TO see the Republican post
master with nearly two thousand kepubli-
can subordinates dispensing the enormous
patronage which Governor Hill and
the people of the country thought
ought TO have been bestowed upon
members OF the Democratic party.
In the different departments of the gov
ernmont at Washington there were hum
dreds of Republican officials retained by
Mr.. Cleveland OF the most malignant party
type. and who did not hesitate TO express
themselves openly and dehantly in the
most offensive terms with regard 70 the
Democratic party. One of the men thus
retained by Mr.. Cleveland was Fred.
Douglas. a negro recorder, who had been
forced upon the people of the District OF
Columbia by Republican President, and
when Ut last he was forced 10 retire his
place was supplied by another negro
brought from distant State, whose noml-
nation was twice defeated IN the Senate"
RECOGNIZED NEITHER PARTY INFLUENCE NOR
OBLIGATIONS.
There are still other considerations"
Judge Staples continued, " that must not
be forgotten. Those who observed Mr..
Cleveland during his administration
l,.~s ara a. A. a
he was remarkable it was his self-cont-
dence and independence. The fact IS he
did not recognize either party influence
or obligations. He knew no party tealty.
He was above all that sort of thing. lie
did not believe that tho workers OF the
party, those who had rendered valuable
services and made great sacrifices IN his
behalf. were entitled TO any peculiar con-
sideration at his hands. In his estimation
man of merit whe had done nothing
for the cause bad equal claim to
any Office in his gift with the man who
had done everything. His appointments
throughout the United States plainly show
this. Now / think in civic life. as well as
military, distinguished services ought to
be recognized as passports to distinction
and promotion. and the party which acts
upon any other rule Is destined TO disaster
and defeat. IL cannot live, and 1T ought
not 10 live. The policy pursued by Mr..
Cleveland in this respect created wide
spread dissatisfaction upon a class OF men
whose services are valuable and efficient
in every political campaign"
THAT TAR1FT-REFoRM MESSAGE.
How about Mr.. Cleveland's tariff.re-
form message!"
at was most untimely, and not only af-
fected his popularity with the Demo
cratic party, but weakened confidence
In him as o statesman and sagaclous party
leader. Many OF tho Democrats felt that the
whole subject might have been properly
postponed until after the elections, and
that he had imperiled his chances of sue
cess if he had not gwen away the presI-
dency. Strong influences were brought
TO bear upon him. as | have always heard,
20 induce him to withhold his message, but
he could not be persuaded. l have never
heard anv defence of his course, ex-
cent the assertion that Mr.. Cleveland was
a very conscientious man In the discharge
of his duty, and had the courage OF hls
convictions A man clothed WITH great
public trust, and representative OF
great party is bound by every oollga-
ton. lt seems to me. not TO pre-
| clpitate upon country measures, sugges-
| tions. or discussions which may have
| disastrous effect upon the party he re-
presents merely for the sake of instruct
| ing the people IN certain line OF policy.
| The man who acts upon the courage of his
convictions, without regard to the CIR
| cumstances surrounding him, Is not wise
| as a statesman nor sagaclous as poltlcal
| loader. When the British Ministry, against
| the advice OF Mr.. Burke, Mr.. foA, and
other statesmen. brought forward their
| measures in the British Parliament for the
| taxation Of the American colonies they no
doubt acted upon the courage of their con-
vitcions. Mr.. Clay had the courage of
his convictions when, in his imperial
| sway, he forced his bankrupt law and his
| bill for d fiscal bank on the Senate OF the
| United States. but he disrupted the Wing
party. 1t Is yery possible that the British
General acted upon the same courage OF
| his convictions when he gave the order for
| a charge at Ballac Lava, by which the
flower of the British army met bloody
| death. And Mr.. Cleveland, IN acting upon
| the courage Of his convictions, lost us the
presidency. and came near having inflicted
| the force bill upon the people OF the
| South"
WHAT wATTEBsoS SAID.
"Inthe month Of March an authorizedin.
| teryiew with Mr.. Henry Watterson was
made public. After il WAS written 1t was
| read and endorsed by HIM as correct. In
| II he makes the following statement:
/
administration TO pass before he declared him.
| seli When other Democrats were struggling
| with the demons OF darkness he was passive and
siIent When he did speak out be spoke well
| hut he was so skcptcal Of the issue he had him.
| seu precipitated that he sent MIR. German and
| the late William l.. Scott 80 ~. Louis with cut
| sud-dried platfrom ignoring his own message
| ignoring the Mills bill, and reassertlng as the
| marty law the straddle we had made IN Chicago
| IN 1854.
This is a very extraordinary statement
| II is certainly remarkable, with those high
qualities of infexible resolution with
which Mr.. Cleveland is invested by his adj
| mirers.
"If II be true, as there seems no reason to
| DOUBT. the courage of conviction which
| prompted the reform message seems TO be
come the timid apprehension OF time
serving policy.
| HOW THE FORCE BILL WAS DEFEATED.
| did Mr.. Cleveland in any way contri
| bute TO the defeat of the force bill :"
when that bill was upon its passage Mr.
| Cleveland took occasion to announce HI;
| views upon the silver question. IL the
! Democratic members OF the United State!
| senate had adopted those views the force
| ~ ---..ll 10 - 1av a Law If fhQ land III