New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-20
WHICH rs REPRESENT1TIVE'


| For the credit of the country we have not
concealed our preference for Cleveland over
Hill as the Democratic Presidential nominee
| But in doing so, we have spoken from our point
| of view not from that of the Democratic party.
| Looking simply at the merits OF the question,
that man should be nominated, of course who
best represents the Democracy as body and It's
principles Nobody can seriously clam that
! Cleveland is that man without denying to him
almost all the attributes and purposes which his
principal supporters claim as the ground OF their
attachment. BY so much as he stands Tor free
trade, undoubtedly he does represent a clear
majority of his party. And yet, so negative,
apologize and cowardly is that party, that with
the greatest majority i'll the House OF Repre-
sentatves which was ever conceded to any
party in the history Of the country, elected, as
they all claimed at the time, upon the clear
issue of Protection or Free Trade, with the
Mckinley bill as the expression OF the Protec-
tive idea, and the Mills bill of the Free-Trade
dea.-eyen in these circumstances the De-
mocracy in Congress has repudlated Cleveland,
Carlisle and Mills, has not attempted to repeal
the Mckinley bill, has offered no substitute
for it, and has confined its attacks on Protec-
llou W tuItc Ouu VI -,oVV VI WV A'~''''
uled by the List Congress. So that, as the
record stands, even in the character OF Free
Trader, Mr. Cleveland's claim to be representa-
tive is debatable.
But, certainly, if he does not represent his
party in that sentiment, he does not III any
thing else. 1t is an argument now being warmly
used in his behalf at Chicago that he satisfies
the conservative business men that he Is safe
on the silver question, and as such, most avail
able for the great object of getting votes. NO
doubt Mr. Cleveland does stand for the Eastern
idea on this subject. But where does his party
stand? In thirty -one states the democratic
party has declared for free coinage. The Demo
cratic Senators have repeatedly supported free
coinage bills, with scarcely an exception among
them and in half dozen Congresses the Demo
cratic Representatives to the varying number OF
from two-thirdS to three fourths of their total
strength have voted for free coinage whenever
they could get the chance. There is no issue
more prominently before the country to-day
than the silver question. Mr.. Cleveland's can
didacy as the representative OF Democratic opIn-
ion on that subject would be grotesque fraud.
Every person with an atom OF sense would know
that the forces which nominated Cleveland had
made their selection, not because he was fair
exponent Of his party's ideas on coinage ana
finance, but because he wasn't. The third claim
of which much is made for Cleveland Is that
he honestly believes in the reform of the Civil
Service. 1t is admitted by the gentlemen who
have sought to appropriate this reform and to
make its name mean their peculiar theories and
views, that Cleveland's record for reform is
somewhat blurred and blotted. But they ami
ably offer to forgive him and say that no mat
ter what he does his heart is true TO the reform.
Bv so much as this is the fact, however, 1t
proves him to be a bad Democrat On the
whole every candid man must acknowledge
that the things which are alleged to commend
Cleveland az q candidate damn him as Demo
crat If they are true, he does not represent
his party. If they are false, he is a humbug.
| Senator Hill, on the other hand and beyond
all doubt does embody his party's faith and
priudces lie is always and intensely mega
tive force. He is essentially an INSTRUCTOR and
an oppositionist. His convictions are always
susceptible of that arrangement which best
serves his interests at given time. lie has
one motivc-ambition; one purpose-succesS,
and all means are good means which tend to
secure the triumph of his party and himself
| lie allows no abstract principle to stand in his
way. lie believes anything or nothing as
seems on each occasion most profitable.
platform of protection and the gold standard
would suit him as well as platform of free
trade and free silver if he thought the chances
for success were equal, and he would agree TO
any form of straddle which had the most votes
in it, He believes in stealing elections if they
are not to be won fairly. lie hates nothing so
much as reforms and Ieformcrs, and with this
character and this record he has obtained more
votes and larger majoritics than any Democratic
candidate who ever ian for Office in the State Of
NewYorls. If the convention at Chicago is
honest, it will nominate Hill. lie is Demo-
crat-a luminous illustration of his party's prin-
ciples, its works and its aspirations