The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1892-04-01

sensations lie had made to the American
people and that he was elected on false
pretenses. That honesty is the best poll
cy was conclusively demonstrated by the
series OF disastrous consequences which
followed in wake of what ! consider was
Mr.. Cleveland's political perfdy. The
greatest democrat of his day, Samuel j.
Randall, with his strong, safe conservative
following was insultinglv ignored in party
councils the Wattcrson forces were put
in command; the Mills bill was passed.
and the result? a Republican Executive,
a Republican House, Il Republican Sen
ate, Car Reed, the Force bill, the MckiI-
ley bill, Democratic defeat and disaster.
Now let us take Mr.. Cleveland out Of
office. | think can safely say that a po
ltcal measure has never been presented
in the halls of Congress traught with
more political danger to the Southern pco-
pie or Il more impudcnt attempt to place
the South in state Of political bondage
than the Force Bill. Despite heroic Dem
ocratic cndeavor this measure passed the
House and for many critical weeks held
tendency in the Senate when il was finally
defeated largely by the skilllul general
ship of Arthur p German, OF Maryland,
and the patriotic statcsmanIike course of
the then Governor and now Senator Da-
vid B. Hill, of New York. To these two
men, more than any others in political
life, Southern Democracy and intelligence
| should be earnestly grateful
Where was Mr.. Cleveland then? Where
did he throw the pondcrous weight OF his
moral prestige and political influence?
| contend that the only public uttcrancc
he made in those dark and trying days
had the effect if not the purpose of weak
ening the opposition TO the Force Bill. In
order that the Force Bill should lie de-
feated it was essentially important that
the Democrats in the Senate sho"ld com
bine with and assist the free silver Re-
publican Senators from the West. Look
ing at tue great end to be accomplished
the Democrats did not have time or incli-
nation to consider the means so long It's
they we're consistent with party integrity.
| Mr.. Cleveland at this crisis gives the
country one of his pondcrous and pomp-
Gus declarations on the monetary Ques-
tons of the day-boldly and agSressively
taking up arms against the recorded and
practically unanimous sentiment OF his
party in the Senate. That TINS directing
his efforts to defeat the recorded IDEAS OF
his party may be heralded as political
fearlessness by some-but the time OF such
efforts being considered, fail to under
stand how any true Southern Democrat
can look upon this action save US hem
Gus party ofense, especially when the only
thing we have from him on the Force Bill
is oppressive and significant silence The
Force Bill and Billion Dollar Congress adj
iourn. The country is appealed 10 TO re-
buke Reed, Mckinley, Hoar and the other
prevailing spirits Of the Republican party
together with their inquitous legislation.
Where is Mr.. Cleveland then? Silent,
inactive. His party in the city OF New
York assailed by combined mu%wump ana
republican forces-to-day do not know
how he voted in this municipal contest.
The campaign throughout the country
progresses with unusual vigor and heat.
! Hill leaves Albany and goes into Nc
Kinlev's district fully panoplied IN Demo-
cratic armor and gives powerful AID IN the
defeat of the great protcctionlst chiei.
The battle is waging; the issues are mo
mentous, white supremacy IN the South Is
threatened, Southern Democracy is clam
orinc to be saved from political destruct-
ion. Where is Hill now? he sends good
cheer from the North and West, he is bril-
;iantly fighting Il good fight. here Is
Cleveland? Echo answers, where!
The smoke of battle lifts, and the Ma
tional Democratic party emerges from the
contest rehabiltated and victorious, ana
the Kissing condemnation of an cnlIshten-
cd and indignant people follow the repub-
lican party as dazed and defeated 1t re-
fires from the field And when the stu
neudous proportions of that victory is
being contemplated and rejoiced over by
all true Americans, Mr.. Cleveland appears,
coming out from his political retreat
claiming as proud a right to rejoice over
the results OF this election as any Demo
Graf. Who had denied him that right !?
Was it not guilty conscience?
And where is Mr., CLEVELAND to-day
Rv his silence he is endorsing ana JUS
tifying dangerous bolt from the regular
Democratic organization OF New ork
State, this bolt being headed by his TRENDS
and co-mugwumps. Time and again he
has been called upon to declare liiinseil as
to this party tfeachery, this move which
throws in grave jeopardy Democratic sue
cess in November, but the ponderous Jaws
of this ideal statesman refuse to unlock
Such man, with such mugwump ten
denotes | hope will not be nominated Tor
President by the Democratic party. II
such is done defeat must result. tie mas
been defeated once-let him so. Inc
average Democrat wants no muSwump es-
sence in his political sauce,
CJASSHD AS < LOBBYIST.