New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-02
THE PRESIDENTS POSITION.

There is another outbreak of monetary agitl-
ton with the meeting Of Congress. which Is
l,borol.ly directed in the usual fashion 10 favor
fine idea that the Presidents reelection and moth
ing else can save the country. If that were
true the country had better not be saved any
more at present. but neither grave business men
nor influential Democrats really believe state
ments Of the sort which are attributed to them.
4 section of the Democratic leaders want the
President nominated because they wish to get
him buried forever out OF sight. There is also
considerable body Of importers and firms acting
as agents for foreign manufacturers. who do not
want their profits on heavy importations dis
turbed Besides. there are the bankers and poll
tcians in Democratic States who indulge IA hope
that in some way the Presidents financial per
formances may cause enough discredit and re
trcment Of National currency 10 make room for
unlimited State bank ISSUES. These are forces
not TO be entirely despised. and great army of
men in Office. or men who have profitable Jobs
or contracts under the Administration as AZ
present constituted will of course make great
cxcrtions 10 bring about the Presidents renom
inatiOn.
II would all be waste OF energy, il 1t were
not for the prevalent feeling among Democrats
that they are going down next year any
way and would little rather 90 down
under the leadership Of Cleveland than in
any other fashion. This Is extremely natu-
raj for the President has taken so many
occasions 10 vaunt himself as better wiser,
purer and stronger than his party. and has so
sorev affronted most Of the strong men in ii,
that the worm which would not turn and seek
a little revenge at time when there is nothing
else TO be got must be poor worm indeed.
These leaders Ike Hill in NewYork, Smith IN
New.Jersey. German in Maryland, Brice in Ohio.
and Hardin in Kentucky. and the whole army of
free-silvcr men in Western and Southern States.
have been attributing all their disasters TO the
President. II they see no prospect Of success
they would particularly like TO cry II told you
So and To- remind voters of their opinion OF
him and of his strength and his policy That
seems TO be. after all the strongest OF forces
moving toward a denomination.
The monetary question will have to be faced
by the President in new circumstances. His
numerous proposals and lectures on the subject
have been followed by the worst defeat any
party ever met, but he will now be confronted
with practical measures of relief which his own
party was never competent or willing 10 frame.
Precisely what measures, it rests with the Re
publicanS in Congress to say. But none Of them
will venture TO appeal TO the people without an
honest and determined attempt to provide a
remedy II will be their business. also. 10 pro-
vide remedy which the people will approve and
recognize as adequate at least for temporary
needs. If they fail TO do this, they are perfectly
aware that their task next year will be rendered
far more difficult. If they do this and the Presi-
dent vetOes the measure or measures proposed.
btv of electing Democratic President in 1896
Such is undoubtedly the deliberate Judgment of
Republicans who think things ont, and who
know something of the peoples will.
Mr.. Cleveland may not choose TO resist that
viii 1t is easy TO assert that he will never sign
this or that kind Of Il bill. Nobody cares. If he
treats II as he treated the Wilson German tariff,
the most bitter terms, 1t would actually raise
him 10 Il higher plane of craftsmanship than he
has ever occupied in public estimation. If he
should refuse 10 veto such measures as Repub-
lican Congress may deliberately pass. and
the ground that the welfare of the Nation must
be the first consideration, and since no other
measures than these can be passed, il il his duty
TO give the majority Of the people opportunity to
! try such remedies as their freshly chosen repre-
Scnthtlves in Congress propose. II no one looks
for such course. Ii IL only because no
imagnes that the President can rise above the
lower level Of parisanship which he has been
acting, and become statesman enough to accept