Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1893-11-30
a RETROSPECT.

q series OF dEtlcItSs pOittiCal anu JIM
wise, which have no doubt long since
been forgotten, but which did their part
toward filling the columns of the then
semi-weekly Herald. Bre'r Chandler,
as the Teller was pleased to designate
him, then conducted the Herald while
its present proprietor, though still super
intending the Grant county schools,
even at that time no doubt derived some
pleasure in anticipation of some day
managing the paper. Judging from
the contents of its columns and from
the glowing and smiling countenanee
of its robust editor, the participation is
at least as pleasant and satisfactory as
was the vague anticipation.
A few years in this enlightened age
bring great changes. In the spring Of
'Ss. Grover Cleveland had tirmer grip
on his party than he has now. and his
famous free trade message had already
made his unanimous denomination NOR
ally certain. while Gen. Harrison. then
in private life, was hardly thought of as
a presidential probability. Since then
Harrison has come and gone, while
Cleveland has gone ard come. How
perverse and Inconsistent does Fate APP
pear at times as illustrated in politics.
"Arthur's chance administration was
almost universally conceded to be good.
safe and progressive; and during his
term among other praiseworthy acts was
enacted the Tariff act of 1883, which even
the never.aceompiishiug and ever
Directing democracy finds little fault
with now. Yet Arthur was refused q re
nomination and died bro6on-hearted,
while Blaine his more brilliant if less
conservative competitor, received his
long-covt ted nomination for the prcs-
dency; but as accident made Arthur
president. so accident defeated Blaine )
aspirations ald SO again accident, by
means of a forged proxy TO Republic
can state convention in New York, first
gave Cleveland his 200, 900 majority for
governor; and again the same bluuder-
ing alhterstve accident thst defeated
Blaine, elected for the first term, the
unknown man of destiny, the man who
was heraldcd as being better than his
party. lie certainly proved to be some
what stronger than his party, for his
parry did not succeed with him and
during no part Of his first term was his
party in full control OF both houses Of
Congress; and thus during Cleveland 5
entire first tern. owing TO the Senate
being Republican. the policy and en-
actments of the Arthur administration
remained practically unchanged, and
the only important difference noticeable
was in tie offices, and the failure of
continued progression. The democracy.
while deprived Of TIE privilege of put
ting in practice its usual negative and
obiecting policy, still. as an excuse for
its nohaction in congress, made the
most of the fact that it did not have full
control of the governmental machinery.
However, the failure. of the two success
sive democratic Houses of Representa-
tives during Clevelanfs first admins
tration, L. even clearly demonstrate
wha. the democracy would DO If in full
control. together with the returning dis
trust of that party by the people and tho
dissatisfaction with he executive policy
of the adminis' ration, and particularly
the definite and progressive pole, prom
ised by the republican Parry, esulted IN
the overthrow { + Cleveland and TIE e.
lection Of Harrison as president, though
the republican party did not regain con.
troll Of all the departments Il Govern
ment until tNo years later. The recent
Harrison administration has passed in
to hjstcrY rs being exceptionally clean,
able and progressive No sooner did
tie republican party regain control 81
congress. lhan did that ongrass com.
pletely. fem'e,,,N aud in busn like
manner fulul the aute.electun pledge,
Of the party, notwih,aud n- tay fierce
and almost violent opposition Il tht
democracy II tag eopgrcs~ loe -
publican party did what before It's re-