Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-08-04

of patriot rather than a partisan, and
he has Justly felt that, although identi-
fed with party, the propriety of his
position demanded of him something
more than mere partisanship.
He has confirmed this 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 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 d 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 vaguely, but posi-
lively and definitely. giving it, what it
had not had since the war, a distinctive
policy in harmony with the party tradi-
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
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 incalculable.
His administration removed the pro-
found distrust of the party, it was
quickened by q modern progressive
spirit, and it gave the party policy in
accord with the convictions of an i'm
mense multitude of most intelligent
and patriotic citizens.
This policy, nevertheless, it is said,
defeated the party in 1883. But we are
considering Mr.. Cleveland's personal
hold 1t is true that tariff reform as
presented by him was defeated in 1883.
But the consequent passage Of the Nc
kinlcy 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 no question Of the great advance of
the tariff-reform sentiment since 1858;
and there is no doubt that largely be-
cause of bis Identification with it and
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
that we can see is he a weaker candi-
date, but everywhere he is stronger
than in 1884 and 1888 He has 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 ridicule
his friends as dolaters- But the feel
ing at which they sneer is produced by
q frank integrity which justifies 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-
proval of the issues that he represents,
than ever before. Dir. Garrison goes
so far as to say that the republican
struggle will be desperate" Il will
not be settled theoretically, but prec-
tically. The individual voter will ask
whether the cost OF living has risen,
and whether wages have risen proper
tionally. Figures and statistics may
be marshalled skillfully in clever plea
But if, when the country was young
and poor, a very moderate rate of pro-
lection suficed, why, when it is over
lovingly rich and prosperous. is an
enormous rate necessary 1t is to be a
campaign of education, but the facts of
which the poorest man is conscious will
be his teachers -Harper's Weekly.