The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-25
slr. Cleveland and the Virginia Demo-
Gratis.

We print, on account Of it's living interest
but with no guarantee OF its correctness.
report as to Mr.. CLEvELASD's intention to
take hand in tho Democratic politics OF
Virginia. This report represents him as
determined to make some appointments
in time" to influence the State Convention
in its choice OF a candidate for Governor;
but IL he used the words attributed to him.
he may have meant that he would put out
some Virginia Republican officeholders and
put Democrats In their places. for the
purpose OF stimulating Democratic activity
In the State after the Convention. 1t 10
true that many distinguished Virginia
Democrats were opposed to his nomina-
ton last year. and hoped with Senator
DANIEL and the late Senator BAR
BoUR that Senator HILL would be the
candidate; but it would be ungenerous and
unjust. in the absence OF specific acts OF
partially or interference. to accuse Mr..
CLEVELAND OF the intention attributed to
him. In his appointments 80 far there has
been little or no evidence OF q desire to
punish the Democrats who opposed him;
and it seems improbable that a politician
who owes everything to tho nomination Of
OF New York in 1882 is in any
danger OF falling into the blunder
made by Gen. ARTHUR's friends in that
year. The causes Of tidal waves are not
so soon forgotten.
The case OF the Hon. EDWARD MURPHY.
Jr.. is not exactly In point. Mr.. CLEVELAND
made what was generally considered to be
an error OF judgment in protesting against
the nomination OF Mr.. MURPHY for Senator
In Congress. Dir. CLEvFLAND's objections
were seen to be purely personal and sub
jective. but they put him unconsciously in
the somewhat extraordinary position OF
holding that the Legislature of the State
from which a President has just been
elected. ought not to elect Senator OF his
party without consulting that President
elect and following his opinion. The Demo-
Gratis OF the New York Legislature took
Mr.. CLEvELAND's objection to the election
OF Mr.. MURPHY for what it was worth. the
opinion OF a single Democrat. not men,
Der OF the Legislature: and they elected
Mr. MURPHY. Threats were then made by
virulent Mugwumps and Maybugs that
Mr. CLEvELAND's Administration would
punish" Mr.. MURPHY's supporters when
Mr.. CLEVELAND came to power. Those
threats we're made without authority. and
would have been despised in anyevent. As
matter OF fact, tho Legislature attended
to its business. and presently Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND went TO Washington and attended to
his: nor Is there any such lack OF ii that
he is likely to look into Virginia for new
fields OF labor.
An attempt on the part OF an AdmInistra-
ton to control the nominations OF State
oficers anywhere would be so grave a crime
against the people OF the State, 30 grave a
crime against the right OF self-government
that even the Intention OF it ought not to be
lightly attributed to President. From an
unconsidered objection to the election of a
particular man as Senator. made while the
10y OF triumph was yet uncontrolled. to n
deliberate attempt to buy votes for or
against a particular candidate for Governor
or Senator. lies all the length OF tho road
from slight indlscretiol to dotted dizziness
II Is a road easy enough to travel. perhaps,
but not. we should hope. for any New York
politician who remembers the events Of 1852.
and least OF all for GROVER CLEVELAND.
So, we fancy that some Of our good friends
in Virginia have little III OF political hy-
pochondria. There are several candidates
tor Governor. and they are all sensitive
Or, stay; one OF those candidates. we be-
lieye, Is the Hon. CHARLES T.. O'FERRALL,
who represents the Seventh Virginia district
in Congress. Mr.. CLEVELAND had no more
mercurial and enthusiastic champion than
Mr.. O'FERRALL. and it doesn't hop over the
balk line Of probability to suppose that Mr..
O'FERRALL is persuaded that Mr. CLEvE-
LANDS election was due in large degree
TO tho unrelaxing labors of the Hon.
CHARLES 4. O'FERRALL. 1t Is most un-
likely that Mr.. CLEyELASD's gratitude to
Mr.. O'FERRALL equals the latter's expecta-
lions. but 1t may DO that some injudicious