Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-24
N 0 T H IRO TIE M
A Possible War Would Not Make NJ
Cleveland Necessary.
He Must Stand on His Record-any
President CouId Have Taken
the Same stand.

The idea now finding expression In some
quarters that the beginning OF hostilltIes
with Great Britain would necessitate the
denomination and reelection OF Mr. Cleve-
land finds little Endorsement In Washing
ton. III Is regarded a very shortsightei
reading of matters much more English in
Its nature than American. Why would Mr..
Cleveland be necessary to the salvation Of
the country in such circumstances?
The Case of Lincoln.
In the spring Of 1864 opposition TO the re-
nomination of Mr.. Lincoln assumed SCI
rious form The civil war had then been In
progress three years. Many of the most
prominent supporters of the Union had
lost. or were losing. heart. They were sug-
costing that the difficulty could not be SET
tied by force. A truce should he sounded,
ana peace policy drafted and submitted.
But the great man at the helm triumphel.
Inc country agreed with him that IL would
be unwise to swap horses while crossing
the stream. change of leaders or OF
policy at that time would probably have
resulted in the loss of the Union cause.
The Conditions Different
But the question is asked. How can that
situation be compared with such a stua-
ton as would exist next summer I'm the
event of war. or the imminence of war.
with Great Britain? In lS6l the country
was divided against itself. The greatest
armies of all times were in the field. and
the miscarriage Of any vital feature OF the
plan on either size meant ruin to the side
making the bunder. That was why il was
considered so all-important to keep MIR.
Lincoln at his post and the generals of his
selection and promotion in command Of
the troops. A war with Great Britain on
the other hand. would mean such unica-
ton or the sections never had existed
before. There would he no division at all
a fha -.
two political parties would vie with each
other in standing up for the integrity Of
the Union. Armies would be afoot, but would
be cheered alike all along the line to Can
ada or to the seabC ard. Domestic affairs
in the main, would go on as usual. Travel
would not be interrupted. nor trade be-
tween the sections. Some branC hes of in
dustry would actually be stimulated. Now,
what in all that would prevent the country
with no hostile forces at hand. from pro-
ceeding as usual with the national cleo
ton and making choice of the executive on
ordinary and well-accepted lines? Would
not both parties, indeed. proceed as usual.
taking care only TO present strong men for
the suffrages?
Cleveland Must Stand His Chances
What. in such circumstances. would call
for the preferment of Mr. Cleveland over
other aspirants? That the struggle had
grown out of his stand for the Monroe doc
trine? Would any man of eminence in
American affairs-with the exception of Mr.
Bayard-have done less? There are those
who would have discharged the duty differ
emily, II is admitted, but, in some way and
so as to leave no doubt in the minds of for
eign powers as to the real attitude of the
country on the subject, all would have dis
charged 1t. Mr.. Cleveland has done the
right THU g; but that makes no man pre-
eminent in the affairs of the United States.
Could it be claimed that the war would be
better fought under Mr.. Clevelands drec-
ton than under that of any other man7
Mr.. Cleveland is not a soldier. He has had
neither military education ror military eX-
perence. He is a lawyer. and has been oc-
cupied with the execution of civil affairs.
1t would appear to he quite unlikely there
fore. even If he did not restrain his per-
sonal admirers. that any controlling reason
could he advanced next year why the I'M
| written law against a third term should be
| set aside in Mr.. Clevelands personal inter-
ests. As a candidate for President again
ne would have no monopoly of patriotic as
sertion, no right of discovery in the doc
trine for which the whole country would
be contending. He would have to stand 1t
is asserted, on his record as an administra-
tor of domestic affairs; for upon the domes-
tic policies-such would apply to sustain
ing the country with its English and Euro
pean trade cut off. and to supplying the
money necessary for the carrying on of the
war-all would depend. Every man would
be in favor of sustaining the country. but
what man al the helm would take the SAT-
est and surest course to that end?
No One Hopes for War.
In the discussion Of this question nobody
speaks for war or hopes for war. Very few
believe that war is probable. Everybody
will vote war If war becomes Inevitable.
The whole purpose Of the discussion is. by
even assuming the existence of war, to
snow that to this country would not
mean the necessity of any particular man
in the office of President; that the Iradi-
lions of the country with respect to that
office could still and should still be pre-
served and that American success in tho
field would not depend upon or be menaced
by the result at the polls OF the usual trial