Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-07-15
legal and good security can be obtain
ed, and thus keeping the treasury
balances as small as possible.
Mr.. Cleveland as a Candidate.
Harper's Weekly.

the Presidency ever rose more steadily
in public esteem and popularity. His
course has been simple and dignified.
Without presumption, as a private cit
izen necessarily conspicuous, his con-
duct has been modest and quiet, and
as a speaker On public occasion, even
when Of a party character, his tone
has been that of patriot rather than
partisan, and he has justly felt that
although identified with party, the
propriety of his position demanded of
him something more than mere par
tisanship.
He has confirmed his good impress
sion by his courageous fidelity to his
own convictions, Notwithstanding
that he was constantly declared by
large part of his party to be candi-
date for its next nomination. His
silver letter was thought by Demo
cratic politicians friendly to him to be
a blow at his chances, like his tariff
message. Yet, not only do acts of
such manly honesty and courage con-
firm the hold Of a 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 party not in the air and vague
ly, but positively and definately, giving
it what it had not had since the war, a
distinctive policy in the harmony with
the party tradition and free from all
complications growing out of the war.
His administration removed the pro-
found distrust of the party, it was
quickened by modern progressive
spirit, and it gave the party a policy
in accord with the convictions of an
immense multitude of most intelligent
and patriotic citizens.
This policy, nevertheless, it is said,
defeated the party in 1888. But we
are considering Mr.. Cleveland's per-
sonal hold. 1t is true that tariff re-
form as presented by him was defeat
ed in 1888. But the consequent pas
sage of the Mckinley bill, and the
greater general familiarity with the
character and results of the protective
system, produced the astonishing re-
action of 1890. If the results were
less apparent in 1891, there is no ques-
ton of the great advance Of the tariff
reform sentiment since 1885: and
there is no doubt that largely because
of his Identification with it is due his
constantly growing popularity. Mr..
Cleveland was the instructive and en-
thusiastic choice of his party as the
leader in this campaign. At no point
can we see is he weaker candidate, but
everywhere he is stronger than in 1884
and 1888. He has certain rugged
honesty and plainess of character and
speech which give him a popularity
not shared by any other public man.
The Republican papers ridicule his
friends as idolaters. But the feeling
at which they sheer is produced by a
frank integrity which justiGes and in
vites entire confidence. He seems to
us to enter upon the campaign with
greater personal popularity, and with
much wider public knowledge and APP
prevail of the issue that he represents,
than ever before. Mr.. Clarkson goes
SO far as to say that the Republican
struggle will be desperate" It will
not be settled theoretically, but prac-
tically. The individual voter will ask
whether the cost of living has risen,
and whether wages have risen proper
tionly. Figures and statistics may be
marshalled skillfully in clever plea.
But if, when the country was young
and poor, very moderate rate of pro-
lection sufficed, why, when it is over
tlowingly 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 teacher.