Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-07-28

of patriot rather than partisan. and
he has justly felt that. although identi-
fed with a party, the propriety of his
position demanded of him something
more than mere partisanshlp.
He has confirmed this good impress
sion by his courageous fidelity to his
own convictions. Notwithstanding that
he was constantly declared by a large
part of his party to be its candidate for
the next nomination. His silver letter
was thought by democratic politicians
friendly to him to be wanton blow at
his chances, like his tariff message.
Yet, not only do acts of such manly
honesty and courage confirm the hold
of ii public man upon the affection of
his party, but these two have been of
the utmost service to his party. The
message made it a tariff reform parry
not III the air, and vaguely, but posi-
lively and definitely. giving it, what it
had not had since the war, distinctive
policy in harmony with the party tradl-
ton and free from all complications
growing out of the war. The demo-
cratic denunciatiOns of reconstruction
as unconstitutional. and general pro-
test against the republican policy of
the war period, were as futile as the
democratic demand for reform in gen
eral with the democratic party as the
reform agency. Mr.. Cleveland would
not have been elected in 1884 except for
personal dissatisfaction with Mr..
Blaine. But the advantage of the cleo
ton for his party was incalcula bic.
His administration removed the pro-
found distrust of the party, it was
quickened by a modern progressive
spirit, and it gave the party q policy in
accord with the convictions of an i'm
nense multitude of most intelligent
and patriotic citizens.
This policy, nevertheless. it is said,
defeated the party in 1888. But we are
considering Mr.. C;eveland's personal
hold 1t is true that tariff reform as
presented by him was defeated in 1883.
But the consequent passage of the Nc
kinley bill, and the greater general
familiarity with the character and re-
suits of the protective system, produced
the astonishing reaction of 1890. If the
results were less apparent in 1891 there
is 10 question of the great advance of
the tariff-reform sentiment since 1888:
and there is no doubt that largely be
cause of his Identification with it and
his constantly growing popularity, Mr..
Cleveland was the instructive and eE-
thrsiastic choice of his party as the
leader in this campaign At no point
that we can see is he weaker caEldi-
date. but everywhere he IS stronger
than in 1884 and 1883. He has a certain
rugged honesty and plainness OF char
acter and speech which give him pop
ularity not shared by any other public
man. The republican papers ridicufe
his friends as idolaters- But the feel
ing at which they sheer IS produced by
frank integrity which. justiies and
invites entire confidence. He seems to
US to enter upon the campaign with
greater personal popularity. and with a
much wider public knowledge and ap-
proyal of the issues that he represents,
so far as to say that the republican
struggle vii, be desperate" 1t will
not be settled theoretically, but prae-
fically The individual voter will ask
whether the cost of living has risen,
and whether wages have risen proper
tionally. Figures and statistics may
be marshalIed ssillfally in clever plea
But if, when the country was young
and poor. very moderate rate of pro
lection suffieed, why. when it is over
fiowingly rich and prosperous, IS an
enormous rate necessary? 1t is to be
campaign of education, but the facts OF
which the poorest man is conscious will
be his Observation-Disclosures Weekly.