The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-07-26
THE LETTER AND THE PARTY.

The Presidents letter to Chairman
Wilson is still the topic of popular
conversation and of disputation in the
United States Senate. 1t is idle to
waste time over the right of the Pres
ident to express his views and utter
his convictions on a subject of legisla-
ton that is of vital interest to this
whole nation. The idea that he must
be silent because he stands at the head
of national affairs, that he lost the
right of every citizen when he was
elected to the presidency, that neither
in a public or private capacity he
may say anything on questions that af-
feet the public welfare, is too puelile to
be entertained by sane people.
It is only the right or wrong of his
opinions that are open to discussion.
Everybody has the right to criticize
them if the criticism is fair and with
out misrepresentation. Careful exam
ination of every clause in it fails to
disclose any such personal condemna-
ton of Senators as some of them have
taken to themselves. The letter is tenn
perate and impersona1 throughout. 1t
is a declaration of Democratic princi-
pies as officially enunciated by the
party, and which he holds should gov
ern the provisions of Democratic
measure passed by a Democratic Con-
gress. Its endorsement by the House
shows how it is viewed by the great
body of the people.
That the President is willing, like
many other Democrats, to yield some
what to the pressure on the part of
dissentients to the main features of the
bill, in order that tariff reform may
not altogether be defeated, is evident
from his remarks. But that he does
not go so far as to approve of any
radical departure from the fundament-
al principles of Democracy is just as
clear, and in that the. party will stand
by him no matter what may be the re-
suit.
Whatever impressions may have
been obtained from conversations with
Cleveland, or with others supposed to
understand his sentiments, it is plain
that some Senators have taken some
general expression to signify more
than was intended, and to apply to
specific provisions which in their
minds were of paramount Importance
Everybody acquainted with Cleveland
knows he is reticent man. Hill, who
is no friend Of the Presidents S, de-
csribed him accurately.
Il have known him long and we'll"
said Mr.. Hill in his speech in the Sen
ate on Tuesday, land whatever may
have been our differences, one thing [
know well of him, he considers public
questions slowly, deliberately, honestly.
sincerely. He says but little. He weighs
all carefully"
What Senators may have inferred is
one thing; what the President says
over his signature is another thing.
The letter is consistent with his form
er position and utterances, and the
mistake is theirs. SO also is the anger
with the Incorporate remarks it has
inspired. Cleveland's words are unim-
passioned but direct and unmistakable,
on the side of the public demands.
If Cleveland has by his letter, as be-
lieved, raised himself greatly in the es-
timation of that portion of his party
which dissented from some of his do
ings, Hill, by the defence of his sue
cessful rival, has also done much to
remove from his own brow the stigma
that had been placed upon it by Dem
ocrats because of his course in the
Senate.
The outcome of all this should be,
by such concessions as will not com
promise principle, a measure of tariff
reform that can be passed by both
Houses and receive the signature of
the President. Failure in that will
place the Democratic party in very
unfavorable position before the cou1-
try; success in it will establish that
party in the approval of the majority,
and bring not only success to it in the
future but, what is of far more import
ance, prosperity and progress to this
great nation