The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-03-11
MIR. CLEVELAND'S INAUG-
URAL

1
eral propositions laid down by Mr.
Cleveland in his inaugural address,
yet every impartial reader OF it will
admit, that it is a clear, concise and
statesmanlike declaration of the gen
eral principles upon which his
administration will be based. Every
careful reader of the address will, we
think, be struck by the serious, not
to say grave tone that pervades it,
indicative not merely of Mr.. Cleve
lands sensibility Of the solemnity OF
his official oath, but as we'll the
realization by him Of the gravity OF
the political situation that contronts
him. Elevated to the Presidency a
second time by the popular vote, in
the teeth of the protest, and in spite
of the active opposition Of the leaders
OF his party, and upon a platform
the radical declarations of which he
was compelled to .repudiate, his, will
be the difficult task, to control and
restrain powerful political orgahi-
cation, flushed with a victory won
upon radical lines, from plunging
the country at the earliest opportu-
nifty into the inevitable folly of free
trade and tree coinage.
In the hope that Mr.. Cleveland's
sublime self confidence, not to say
courage, will not desert him, lies the
promise of the next four years.
Recognized as stronger than his
party, he doubtless fully realizes the
gravity OF the situation, and the
serious tone of his address indicates
that he begins the work of his
administration in no buoyant spirit.
The confidence which he processes
to feel, centres not so much in the
loyalty of his party, as in the pat
riotism of the people. The advan-
tages Of the political position are
temporarily his, and he is assured
at the start of popular support, in
any controversy born OF the mere
question of spoils. But the promises
made in his behalf during the Presi.
dental canvass are to be fulfilled by
his party, the condition of labor
must be improved and no injury be
done to capital, an honest currency
is to be maintained, while the sue
cess of Mr.. Cleveland's individual
views admirable as they may be,
and endorsed by the conservative
good sense of the people, can be
achieved only by the reputation of
his party's most solemn campaign
pledges.
Turning from this hurried view of
the political situation as it confronts
Mr.. Cleveland to the matter of his
address, the most radical Republican
will not dispute the correctness of
his declaration that, loyalty to
the principles upon which our gov
eminent rests positively demands
that the equality before the law
which it guarantees to every citizen
should be justly and in good faith
conceded in all parts Of the land.
The enjoyment of this right follows
the badge OF citizenship wherever
found, and, unimpaired by race or
color, it appeals for recognition to
American manliness and Harness."
In this sound postulate of Mr..
Cleveland's lie the spirit and soul
of the so called Force Bill, the bette
n0ir OF every Presidential campaign
speaker, and which their President
elect now resurrects on the porch Of
the Capitol.
1t Is to be hoped the Southern
contingent In Mr.. Cleveland's Cabinet
sincerely applaud this sentiment of
their chief.
We are scarcely prepared to con
fess our belief, that Mr.. Cleveland
correctly voiced public sentiment in
his declaration, that the verdict of
the last Presidential election ICON
demned the injustice of maintaining
protection for projections sake"
The conservative and controlling
sentiment of both parties in this
country endorse his views upon
the subject of paternalism. But
as the Philadelphia Ledger very
pertinently remarks, "The single
exception to the Presidents entire
proposition in respect to pater-
nalism will be made to his condemn
alton of the maintenance OF the
policy OF protection, for protec-
tons sake, which Mr.. Cleveland
states was condemned in November
by the verdict OF the voters 1t is
the common belief of the we'll in.
formed, that it was not so much the
use OF protection which the people
condemned by the November yer let
as the abuse of it which is to be
perceived in parts Of the Mckinley
act. That, that was condemned by
the majority of the people there can
be no question, but it may and will
be fairly contended that the policy
of protection itself was not con-
demned."
In the reiteration of his views of
tariff reform, to be interpreted as
meaning the correction of the errors !
OF the Mckinley Tariff Bill, Mr.. |
Cleveland while meeting the views