The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-04
WHY THIS OPPOSITION TO CLrvELANDF

WHY THIS oPrOs1IION III CLEN TLH'''
This is a very pertinent question. and one
that reason aud common sense Will ma very
hard 10 satisfactorily answer. Mr. Cleveland
was the FIRST Democratic President the coun-
try had had since 1861. and his adminis'fa--
ton. by contrast with his predecessors was
one OF the finest the country had ever oeeh
blessed with. IL was the first non-sectionai
administration Of nearly a nearly quarter 81
a century; il was marked by strict. earnest
and conscientious regard for the rights hoer-
ties and welfare Of the whole people II was 30
absolutely clean that the bitterest Republican
has never been able 10 ind a spot or
blcmish IN II. and it was true TO the South.
inasmuch as the President gave the hrst iuu
recognition 10 this section 1t had enjoyed
since the war, appointing TO Offices OF the
highest trust honor and responsibility our
most prominent aud representative men.
Why. then. is il LETT 10 Democrats to PICK
flaws in IN administration which Republicans
dare not attack. and why is it that opposi-
ton TO q man who has reflected so much lus-
ire on his country and his party Is manifested
in the ranks Of that very party which lie so
conspicuously adorned;
One Of the os.ensible reasons given for this
state Of affairs is that Mr. Cleveland cannot
carry New York and therefore cannot De
elected Why cannot he carry New OK
He is moro popular there than any Democrat
who has been spoken Of for the nomination.
and counts among his warmest supporters tho
go ,o cot llQrnnprafq Ot
highest and most sterling type. whose lnhu-
ence is second 70 none lie can therefore as
certainly carry that State "a can any one else'
and inasmuch as he IS conceded 70 be stronger
ali around in the other States Of tie / mon
than any one else, if he cannot be elected no
Democrat can be.
The next reason given for opposition to
Cleveland is that he is opposed to free silver.
So are oil the Northern states which are aOso-
lutely essential 30 Democratic success. Any
man nominated on free silver platform and
who will not veto any free silver bill proyid-
ing for making Bland 70-cent dollars worth
100 cents without restriction will be Just as
certain to lose New York. Indiana. New Jersey
and Connecticut a. the sun rises and sets.
Then why 60 through the farce OF
making a fight on any such issue, or nomi-
mating a candidate on any such platform, II
that is the ultmatum of the antI-Cleyeland
men. they had lust as well fold their hands
and stay at homo on election day for their
votes for a candidate on such platform
might as we'll be cast in James river. If that
issue is TO be made. the country can now
make up it's mind to another four years OF
anti-Soutbern. pro-negro and force-bill rule
The truth is. however. that neither Of these
is the true, honest cause Of the present Demo-
cratic opposition 10 Grover Cleveland. The
real reason is that he is a man who will not
permit himself 10 be used by politicians and
refuses to establish political feudal system
by turning the States over to political barons
70 rule and distribute patronage among
their retainers 50 as to advance their indi-
yidual interests Mr.. Cleveland believes in
appointing only Democrats TO Office, but
he believes that public office IS public
trust and not merely reward for political
services. He believes that the proper reward
for working for Democratic success comes
from the general prosperity and welfare of
the country which such success necessarily
insures
This being the real cause Of the opposition
against Mr.. Cleveland. it makes the present
contest for the nomination one OF the poti-
clans against the people aud this being so It
10 easy TO predict the issue. The people are
very patient and long-sunering with their
public servants. but when these servants at
tempt to make themselves masters, then pa
tience ceases to be virtue and the people
find it necessary - assert themselves and
teach their servants o needed Lesson. This IS
the secret of Mr. Ceyelands great strength
and the reason why his nomination at Chi
cooo IL already aasure1