Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-05-27
Mr.. Wilson on Cleveland.

CONGRESSMAN William l.. Wilson, of
West Virginia, when seen the other
day consented to give his impressions
of the political situation. As Is we'll
known. Mr.. Wilson has been one OF
the most active workers III the cam
paign of education during the past
four wears. His impressions are not
merely those of a man who keeps
closely in touch with everything III
Washington, but of one who, by per
sonal contact. has probably come in
to close relations with more Demo
Gratis recently than any other man III
the House His opinions, thel efore,
are those Of a man who knows. MIR.
Wilson said:
Il have addressed Democratic meet
incs and mingled with leading Demo
Gratis. from the Atlantic TO the Pa
cific, during the past twelve months,
and while have consistently avoided
even the appearance Of advocating
any candidate, the fact has been
forced on Inc that four out of every
five Democrats, the country over, de-
sire the denomination OF Mr.. C.eNe-
land. For most of them, this desire
is ardent and enthusiastic, and 1t Will
be strange and dangerous thing II
party managers and politicians can
thwart the will Of the masses. These
gentlemen naturally desire a more
pliable man. and one who would take
into the White House stronger
sense Of obligation TO them. But that
is one OF the very reasons that the
people are so strongly for Mr.. Cleve-
land.
What DO you think of his availa-
bility for 1892 -
That is serious question, and
am sure, in the first place, that if Mr..
Cleveland is not available, | do not
know who is. 4 decided ma ority Of
the people OF the country are OPP
posed 10 the Republican party, bit
terly opposed 10 its tariff policy, its
force bills and sectiOnaliSm, and its
contempt for States rights. 1t holds
power solely because that great and
growing majority is not able to unite
against it. In my judgment and OBJ
servation, Mr.. Cleveland is the one
man who can unite most Of that OPP
position to the Republican party.
The immense and steadily increasing
number of voters at the North who
stand somewhat detached from either
party, are zealously for Mr.. Clevs-
land. Everywhere have heard men
saw: If the Democrats nominate
Cleveland, / will vote my first Demo
cratic ticket Party managers have
been blind to two conspicuous facts:
the phenomenal growth of tariff re-
form since 1888. and the scarcely less
phenomenal growth in the popularity
OF Mr. Cleveland, and in his hold upon
the people since his retirement from
Office. | am not aware of anything
like this latter in our political his
tory. His nomination gives Us the
combined strength of the cause and
of the man. 1t pitches the campaign
upon the great and winning issue,
and it responds to the wishes of the
masses Of the party. Almost any
other nomination carries with 1t only
the reliable party strength, and more
or less poignant disappointment OF
the people. With Mr.. Cleveland, we
should probably lose some Democratic
votes in New York and elsewhere,
but who can doubt that such losses
would be more than counterbalanced
by gains from the other side, and who
can measure the force and contaslon
Of the enthusiasm that would thrill the
ranks of the party? This means many
votes. A moral purpose, it is said,
multiplies as by ten, and a nomins-
ton made on sincere party conviction
and from sincere party courage, not
from mere expediency and scheming,
would have effect.
lam thoroughly convinced, in spite
of Col. Watterson's dark forebodings,
that the nomination of Mr.. Cleve-
land is the strongest We can make,
and that it would call up a ground
swell of popular approval no one else
could hope for"