The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1894-11-16
RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE.

The reasons assigned for the nation
al defeat, which the Democratic par
~ has sustained are many, and doubt
less most Of them did contribute il
that direction. Whatever the cause
IL seems to be one of Il general char
acter, and not Of detail. In Other
words, there seems to be some under.
lying. latent characteristic Of tll,
American people, which certain con.
ditionS arouseS at regular intervals
resulting in Il political upheavel in
opposition to the party in power.
For the last half century there have
been but two exceptions to the rule.
That at the first election after the in
coming Of new administration the
popular branch of the National Leg
islature has been arrayed against
that administration. Whatever the
exciting cause may be, there seems to
be among the American people a rest
less impaticnce, which demands that
results must come quickly. In 1892 Il
demand was recorded in favor of a
reform in our tariff system, and while
it cannot be claimed that the party
then elevated to power has discharged
its full duty on that subject, yet, il
the effort had been never so good, and
the fidelity to party pledges never so
complete and Il perfect tariff system
established, the good results from it
could not nave been felt so sOon as
this. The good work which the DEM
ocracy in power has performed on the
tariff and otherwise ought to have
been a sufficient earnest OF the fu-
turc, to have stayed the Impotence
OF the people: and induced them to
await the time when results could
show for themselves; and other full
filled pledges be added to those already
accomplished and to the credit Of the
party. But We believe that In the two
years yet before the present admins
tratlon it will have time and oppor-
tunity to yindicate itself, and to
prove to the country that the theory
of the Democratic party is tue true
one for the best interests of the
country. That its pledges are real
pledges, made to be redeemed. That
Mr.. Cleveland will have opportunity
to vindicate not only the wisdom of
his policy, but that the sober second
thought of the country, will bring it
to see that what his enemies charged
as bullheaded seltislness is a concien-
tious courage OF conviction, which
compels him to rise above the meth
DDS Of the common politician, and
discharge his duty, from a standpoint
Of patriotism, and fidelity to his oath
of Office, with a fearlesSncSS truly re-
freshing in these days Of political
humbngery and hypocracy. The peO-
pie will come to appreciate at his
proper worth Il man who regards his
obligations as a public servant. One,
who, when he finds OF the statute
book a civil service law, which pro-
hibitS the participation in active
politics of persons in government en-
plovment-nOt only executes it, but
obeys it himself, regardless of results.
MI. Cleveland is the personitication
of the patriot and statesman so often
portrayed as the ideal of the Ameri-
can people and so seldom seen in
actual life and his memory will live
long after the individual who abuses
him because he cannot rise to his con
ceptlon of public obligation, shall
have passed away and been forgotten.
The West Point Leader expresses
our sentiments 81 completely that we
quote its remarks in full:
"The Leader dosen't like to speak harshly
Of those who differ with it in opinion, but
when ONE of its contemporaries speak of
those papers that support the administration
and express great admiration for the conf
dence in Mr.. Cleveland, as s%ervile, man
wOrshipers, etc., it is constrained to ~retaliate
somewhat by making a prediction When
most Of these opponents shall be Wondering
in their graves, their memories having passed
into OBLIVION, his countrymen will delight to
sing the praises of Mr.. Cleveland as one of
the grandest and noblest patriots of the nine
teenth century. Statesmen will vie with each
other in eloquent panegyrics to his memory.
Tall shafts Of marble will be erected to tell to
posterity the greatness Of the man who aided
so much in pcrpetuating American liberty.
Some of his traducers will, in all probability,
live TO see this prediction verified"