The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-14
TIN WEATHE Err.
ID GRESHAM nj.


Old-fashioned democrats who believe
that party honors should go to the men
who through evil report and good re-
port have steadfastly supported demo-
cratic principles will hardly approve the
selection of Judge Gresham for score
tary of state, if it be true, as reported,
that he is Mr.. Cleveland's choice for
that office. Too much cannot be SAID IN
praise of judge Gresham. lie was q
soldier with a brilliant record fsr brav-
cry and fidelity who still bears upon his
person the marks of severe wounds re-
ceived in defense Of the union. In civil
station he has served his country with
equal distinction. As a lurist he has
been fearless, honest and able. He be-
longs to the very highest type OF Amerl-
can public men. He would, no doubt,
discharge the duties eff the office OF sec
rotary of state with entire acceptability
to the country.
But ours is a government by party
and not by individuals, and however ad-
mirable Judge Gresham's qualities may
be, he has never been identified with the
party whose principles triumphed at the
late election. The country voted to
adopt democratic policy and to entrust
it's execution to democrats. Judge
Gresham, so far as we know, is not a
democrat. 1t is understood that at the
late election he voted for Mr.. Cleveland,
as did a great many other republicans
who believed the time had come for
lowering tariff duties. A man may be a
believer in a low tariff and still be a very
good republican, differing radically from
the vital principles of democracy in
other respects. 1t may be that Judge
Gresham has gone further than the
country is yet aware, and that he has
fully renounced the tenets of the repub-
lican party and adopted those of de-
mocracy. That would not be an unpre-
cedented action. The year 1872 wit
messed many such changes. Trumbull,
Doolittle, Charles Francis Adams, Gov.
Campbell, and many others, changed
their faith at that time and have since
acted with the democratic party. A
more recent instance is that of Gov.
Boies, of Iowa, who supported Blaine in
democrat. The wal period saw thous-
ands of changes from one party to the
other.
There are also presidents for presi-
dante oallipfr mr. f, haro nf tho rrrpeifn
party to their cabinets. Lincoln made
Edwin M. Stanton, B%uchanan's attor-
ney-general, his secretary OF war. Two
other members of his cabinet, Montgom-
cry Blair and Gideon Welles, had been
democrats up to 1860. Hayes made
Judge Key, a Tennessee democrat and
confederate soldier, his postmaster-gen-
eral. But these were exceptional cases
in exceptional times, In Lincoln's ad-
ministratlon, especially, old party lines
we're obliterated and there was a gen
eral reallgnment Of new issues. There
IS no parallel for the selection Of Judge
Gresham to be tho head Of Mr.. Cleve-
lands cabinet. Next TO the president,
the secretary OF state is the most pow
ertul and Influential! leader of the party
in power. He should understand the
policies Of the party in control OF
the administration and be in entire sym
pathy with them. Under the preslden-
tial succession law he would become tn,
acting president III case of the death o
the president and ylce-presldent. 1t il
of the utmost Importance, therefore
from every point of view in the presen'
instance that he should be IA democra
through and through. 1T may be tina
Judge Gresham is such a man, that Ia
has renounced the beliefs of u life tim,
and adopted the principles OF tho part,
TO which, hitherto, he has been opposed
But he has never made public profession
Of such a change, and until he does e
his selection is u fair subject Of crit
cism from the members of that part
which made Mr.. Cleveland president
Mr.. Cleveland undoubtedly has expert
enced much difficulty in securing tn,
right man for the portfolio of state.
is understood the place has been otfero,
t. three Dr four democrats who coul
not be prevailed upon to make the sal
ritices involved in Its acceptance. A
the same time the great body of demo
Gratis will be slow to believe TINT thei
party does not contain within It's rank
men who would accept this office an
worthily fill it.