New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-21
IN OBSTJN1TE .STRCANT

"
president Cleveland is very obstinate
man." say his admirers with rejoicing priue'
and his great natural frmness has pceh
strengthened by his success in carrying 'hc
Silver bin after substantially all the Senators
of his own party had united against him. lie
will not change one iota of his policy in defer
cnce 70 n passing storm of public opinion but
will 90 straight on as he has determined III re-
gard to Hawaii. Neither will adverse MAORI
ties i'm Ohio or anywhere else alter his posilloh
i'm the least about the tariff. He Will Insist
upon a bill carrying ont the pledges OF the
nortv., Obstinacy is a beautiful trait at times,
norticularly when il is manifested by the leader
of an opposing force The bull which tried 10
butt q locomotive off the track had made up his
mind and paid no attention TO public OPINION
But # was bad for the bull, and his friends II
he had any.
The President is, unfortunately, man OF
large self-appreciation. The fact ,hat pnphc
opipion passed the Silver BILL and moro 'hah
once held him true 10 its will when he was
minded TO swerve and to compromise. he takes
pleasure in forgetting. But il is nevertheless
true that the President was a passenger on
that boat Public opinion made it Impossible
for many Il Democratic Congressman 10 go
ashore. and the President himself was not al
lowed 10 land when he wanted. Now he under
takes very different job. TO defeat pubic
opinion in this country requires something be-
Sides obstIuacv All the tremendous force which
comnelel Congress to go without stopping
straight TO the chosen point. the force which
made strong men do the bidding of a President
A
be arrayed against the President IL he is not
wiser than he has been yet.
In the Hawaiian business the Christianity Of
the Nation will rise against the President
policy with all the pride and patriotism OF
Americans. The Nations best business men
will resent great opportunity thrown away, as
its competent lawyers will resent a great breach
Of international law The lofiest and pnrest
motives. which millions Of both parties share.
and for which millions have been willing TO die
If the President was not-will make il the
first duty Of citizens TO put down his usurpation
/ of power. if he sets mp monarchy OF idolafry
and depravity in place Of a free Government
/ organized by Americans and the sons OF Ameri-
| cans.
The tariff question. men have been learning
this year, touches the living and the wages and
| the homes of every voter 1t can no longer
he sid that it can affect ut most only part OF
those employed in few industries. President
| Clevcland's object lesson has this very year
taught Americans that. when one million or three
million persons are out Of employment and seek
ing work. the business of all is depressed be-
cause the purchasing power Of all Is lcssened.
and the wages and the work Of all are affected.
Eighty thousand for Mckinley against one thou
sand for Harrison last year means that an army
of Democrats recorded their protest against the
policy TO which the President is committed.
II pleascs him 10 say that the people blundcr;
that Meals policy might have thrown people
ont of employment but his own would not.
The practical men who work for wages know
better. and Presidential Obstinacy will not he
enough to convince them. The more the Pres
dcnt dcfes their opinion and insists upon his
own the more surely will lie be taught what
il is in. this country TO fight against public
opinion.
The President has it in his power 10 render
his country Il great service by simply Obeylng
the will Of the people He Is not the master.
but the servant, and it BELTS him to know that
the servants who attempt to be masters in this
Republic always have trouble Much that the
President has done Is honorable, and he has re-
ceiyed unstinted thanks from the country, but
he was worthy Of honor then because he was
doing the will of the people When he sets
himself to defy public opinion he will find him
elf in different position.