Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1893-09-21
The PRESIDENTS POSITION.

There has been much loose talk
among the free silver senator's and
the newspapers which endorse their
course about the so-called "dicta~
ton" of President Cleveland.
On this subject the New York
World says:
The president has not asked of
congress any new legislation. He
called it together to repeal one clause
of a statute that according to the
experience and testimony OF the
whole business world was working
serious injury and threatened even
worse disaster. This law had been
abandoned and condemned by the
party that passed it. 1t had been
denounced and its repeal promised
In the Democratic national platform.
It's immediate and unconditional
repeal vas demanded by representas
tives Of capital and of labor, of com
merce and Of industry, throughout
the country.
The purchase of silver is further
more purely an administrative act.
It may almost be called strictly a
business operation. The secretary
of the treasury, to whom is intrusted
the management Of the nations
finances, reported to the president
that these purchases, and the issue
of treasury notes therefor redeemable
in gold had reached the danger point.
They had drained the treasury Of its
free gold and trenched on the re-
serve. They were forcing the gov
eminent toward a single and de~
preciated silver standard. This had
not only menanced the treasury, but
it had stricken business with the
paralysis of fear.
AS the chief executive officer,
therefore, the President had a right
and It was his duty strenuously to
urge the repeal of this law. He had
a right to go further and say that
he will not be a party to any COM
promise which would help the coun-
try out of the frying pan only to
drop it into the fire. The presidents
responsibility for legislation is equal
to that of congress.
But beyond this, the President is
the chief of a party. AS such he is
charged with the duty of doing all
that he properly a to carry out its
policy and to embody its principles
in law.
1t was not the practice of the
early Presidents to send their re-
Communications to congress and give
no further concern about them. That
was not Jefferson's way. 1t was not
Jackson's. It was not Linculn's.
These and all other presidents who
made any mark IN history for their
administration Of the party sought by
the stress of personal and political
influence % carry out their idea.
President Cleveland would fall short
of his duty and would prove his in
capacity for tie leadership entrusted
to him should he omit any legiti-
mate effort to give effect to Demo-
cratic policies.
The talk of "~dlctatlon' is absurd.
Mr.. Cleveland puts his foot down
squarely as to what he will do or
won't do, but he is not addicted to
telling other men what they must do
or shall do. He is a firm man. He
may even be called obstinate. But
his frmness has been displayed in
defense of what he believed to be
right. His obstinacy in this case at
least, is in resistance to suggestions
or demands which the people disap-
prove. He is standing by the pledge
Of his party and for the good of the
country. He deserves the support
not only of his own party, but of all
patriotic men.