New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-23
THE COMING STRUGGLE.

The National conventions are close at hand
A large prepondclance Of delegates instructed
| for or believed TO favor the nominations OF
! President Harrison and of cx-Prcsident Clcve-
land make it appear probable that the struggle
of 1888 will be repeated with the same Prcsi-
dental candidates. The consultations in either
| convention may yet lead to different decision
and it is entirely proper that large body of
delegates should go to convention unpledged
and uninstructed to learn from conference
there what are the chances of different can
ddatcs in the doubtful States, and then to de-
eide for the best interests of the country. Such
consultation, TIE TRIBUNE thinks, is likely
to result in the denomination of the President.
With Mr.. Cleveland nominated by the Demo-
Gratis. the Republican party would have no
occasion to regard the future with alarm.
-Four years ago Benjamin Harrison was but
little known to the people. lie had served
with honor in the Senate, but in that BODY
long service gives leadership, and his service
had not been so prolonged rs to place him IN
the foremost rank with exceptional oppor-
tunties Against him was the only President
the Democrats had elected in thirty years, who
had been elected Governor of the largest state
in the Union by wonderful majority, and who
had enlisted in u peculiar degree favor and
support of Independents and dissatisfied Re-
publicanS who were hostile to Protection.
The then President was the COMMANDMENTS
chief of vast army OF ofhceholdcT. very
rarely if ever has this great force been more
carefully organized or theoretically used for
the benefit of a political party than it was by
those who conducted Mr. Cleveland campaign
Its influence was all the greater because the
President himself made much show Of regard
for Civil Service principles, while his Cabinet
officers and political managers were using the
official organization II the utmost OF their abli-
ity. With a hundred thousand trained work
ers. each fighting for the retention OF his own
Office and with the command of the Treasury,
the Army and the Navy. the Pensions and In
dian Bureau and the Postofiice, Nh Cleveland
had no idea that he could be beaten by can
didate comparatively unknown.
Now the advantages of prestige and popular
ty are all on the other side. Mr.. Cleveland
is n beaten man. He is confronted by a hos
tile force in his own State. President liar-
rison has become known and honored through
out the world for an Administration which has
reflected great credit upon the American s'a-
ton. European Powers are seeking by ~m-
bnation to cOuntCract its mastery strategy Tor
the promotion of American commerce. The
financial and business interests Of the country
have for years trusted to the President as an
imprcgnable barrier against destructive or dan
gerous legislation. The industries OF the Ma
ZION have found in him defender OF rare IN
telligence and unwavcring fidelity. The bust
ness of the various departments has been con-
Quoted, fair men will admit, more efficiently and
wisely than under the previous Administration,
with far less complaint and scandal II has
been a clean and honest Administration and
the President has shown himself, in his state
papers. in Il multitude Of speeches, in his per
scna conduct Of one department after another
when Secretary was disabled. and in his in
hucnce with lawmakers true leader and head
and an Executive Of the first order.
1t would be absurd for any man 10 claim that
President Harrison is not personally stronger
to-day than he was four years ago. lie has
been tried and has surpassed the expectations
of the great party which elected HIM. IL he
was strong enough to defeat Mr.. Cleveland be-
fore when all the advantages Of position and
organization were on the side o! H." Democratic
candidate what reason have Republicans 10
doubt that he can defeat the same candidate
again under conditions far more favorable?
SO plain is this that large section of the Dem
ccratic party is to-day implorins its leaders 10
consider wisely ard in time, and TO select new
candidate. But their difficulty is that they find
no one likely to be stronger than the cx-Presl-
dent Meanwhile, the Republicans also will
consider with care. They intend to serve their
princi,,lns aud fhOir cCuntrX Dy avoiding all
risk of defeat and if they are convinced that
some other candidate would he stronger, some
ether will be chosen. But if they Judge the
President the strongest candidate they can Sc
lect they may assuredly look forward to n con
test against EXPIRE sdcnt Cleveland with great
confidence.
FREE TRADE CRPPLINL GRE1T BRfTIIN