New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-03
"UOTLD Not TURN HIS hand OVER"

"VOTLD NOT TURN MS HAND OVER" ,
In recent published letters from Bar 1Iarbor
Mr. Walter Wcllman. a wachful and expert
cnccd writer for the newspaper press, has de-
clarcd rs fact within his personal knowledge
that Mr. William c. Whitney has no wish or
intention TO be the Democratic candidate Tor
President next year. lie has reported MIR Whit
ncy as saying that if by turning over his hand
he could absolutely assure himself of nomination
and election he would not turn his hand over.
The circumstance that Mr.. Whitney has been at
Bar Harbor naturally suggests the thought mat
the correspondents obvious confidence III his
own statements may he derived from direct com
m,lnicaton on the subject. IT TINS IL the case
we regret that Mr. Wcllman did not feel at lib
crty 10 say 50 frankly. for Mr.. Whitney Is an
exceedingly competent authority upon the sub
iect of his personal desires and purposes. AMI ir
II wore certain that he had deliberately declared
that he would not turn his hand over for the
Presidency nobody wonld look for the slightest
voluntary movement Of that member. An lnvOl-
un,arv turning oyer Of Mr.. Whincys hand
would however be conceivable. Notwithstanding
such an announcement at the present time. and
70 the possibility Of such cOmpulson the CORE
spondcnt has given due attention. He thinks
that events may overrule Mr. Whitney within
the next few months and exact from him "A
sacrifice which ne Is now utterly AN'r>c I"
making.
This conclusion. interesting in itself, Is sun
more interesting as the Introduction 10 another
positive assertion by Mr.. Wcman, writing from
Bar Uarbor under date Of July IS as follows:
81 am able to say on authority that If Mr.. Whit
"ney shall change his mind and wiSh.to De- con
"Sdercd an aspirant for next years nomination.
che will have the support OF President 'lcNc-
land" But before assigning extreme iinpor-
lance 10 this declaration We are compelled to
inquire what the "authoriiy' is 10 which Mt
Weman SO confidently alludeS. We have con
jectured that his authority for the statement That
Mr. Whitney would not turn his hand over
for a Presidential nomination and election j.
Mr. Whitney himself; and there could be none
better There IL exactly the same ground for
the surmise that Mr.. Whitney j. his authority
for the assertion that II Mr.. Whitney should
change his mind he would have the support of
President Cleveland. But whereas In the one
case the assumed basis for an interesting poiiii'
cal announcement Is perfectly solid. In The other
case II is fragile and rickciy However certain
Mr.. Whitney may be as 10 any matter. The va
lidity OF his faith depends upon the source from
which IL Is derived. As 10 this particular matter
the source must In the nature Of things be- Mt
Cleveland himself, and therefore entirely nm
Trustworthy. For II there Is a possibility That
Mr. Whitney his present determination being
very strong may change his mind. how much
less certain Is II that Mr.. Cleveland viii nJt
change his having already established re-
markable record and reputation for mutabiliiy
with respect to the Presidential Office.
1t was In August. 1884. that Mr. Cleveland
first formally accepted a nomination FOR Presl-
dent. and the letter in which he discharged that
traditional obligation Of a candidate contained
these striking sentiments: when We consider
"the patronage Of this great office. the allure
"ments Of power. the temptation 10 retain pub
''lic place once gained, and, more than all. the
availability party finds in an incumbent whom
"a horde Of oflice-holders. with a zeal born Of
benefits received and fostcrcd by the hope II
''favors yet 10 come. stand ready 10 aid with
money and trained political service. We rccog
'nze in the eligibility Of the President FOR r.
election a most serious danger 10 that calm. de-
''bcrate and intelligent political action which
must characterize a government 10y The people,
This expression Of feeling and conviction on The
part Of candidate writing under the burden II
a conservation which AT that time possessed tnc
elements Of novelty attracted universal attcn-
ton and produced perfect ccSiacy of antelope
ton In numerous adorcrs. But Mr. Cleveland.
having been cOnstitutionally indicted into an
office 10 which the people are supposed 10 have
elected Mr.. Blaine. began with remarkable
promptness ami celebrity 10 change his mind on
the subject Of Presidential reflections. ana
thereafter for four years never neglected an OPP
portunity 10 manipulate "a horde Of O;licc-holl-
crs" in ways which were everywhere recognized
as constituting n most serious danger TO That
"calm. deliberate and intelligent political action
(which must characterize government by the
"peopc.'
After such change If mind rs that II Is plain
that no similar performance on the part Of Mr.
Cleveland could seem startling or even eccentric
10 the American people. If Mr.. Whitney, there
FORE discerning Il remote contingency. contcm
plates the possibility Of changing his mind and
turning his hand over we afcctionatcly advise
him to reflect upon the chccrfuncss and dcxtcrity
with which the most complete mental mctamor-
phoss in our annals was accomplished by a
gentleman Of his acquaintance.
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THE DEFICIT.
About ten days ago it was noticed that the