The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1895-06-15
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The question of Mr.. Gresham's con-
sistency in accepting the portfolio of
secretary of state from Mr.. Cleveland,
after having been such prominent
candidate before the national Repub-
lican convention for president, is be-
ing discussed by prominent New York |
papers. 1t is claimed by the Brooklyn
Eagle that Mr.. Gresham could not as
sent to the protection plank in the
platform OF 1883. This is aftirmed-by
that paper on "the word of Mr.. Gres-
ham himself and OF the two other men
10 whom he REQUIRED for counsel at
the times. In reply to this allegation
the Post Express of Rochester shows
that after the platform had been
adopted, and he knew all about it, Mr..
Gresham allowed his name to be.
fore the convention as an aspirant for
its presidential Nomination. The
paper appears to rely for proof of this
upon the speech of Hon. Leonard
SWEET. who presented Mr.. Gresham's
name and said that he had "always
stood by his party for the protection
of American labor against foreign
competition" Mr.. SWEET may have
been mistaken in his statement, or he
may have made it to accomplish his
political ends, as Is frequently done,
and this assertion should not be taken
as positive proof to settle the dispute
about Mr.; Gresham's honesty when
he accepted the cabinet position.
The discussion at this time may be
considered in bad taste, as the man
is dead and not able to protect himself
from false aspersions; but it will open
up the broader question of the con-
sistency of public men changing their
opinion on matters, or, more properly
of the mind growing and broadening
on subjects, on which different views
had been held in former periods OF
developement. Mr.. Gladstone is the
most notable instance of great man
changing his political views at differ
ent periods of life. He entered par
lament asa Conservative and he has
been leader of the Liberals for many
years. 1t may be said that his active,
political life has evolved certain prin-
ciples Of government which he did not
support when he first entered public
life. He has developed ideas of the
relations of the government to the
people in later life which he had op-
posed in earlier years, and we do not
believe that he is held in less respect
by the world for so doing. Progress
will produce changes, and he who
never varies in his opinions either be-
gan his consideration of subjects at
the advanced stage, or else his mental
powers are not capable of expanding
to keep pace with advancement. In
religion, politics, art or science there
should be no period of inertia, for the
altered condition of the people of the
nineteenth century, and the develop
ment of the intellectual faculties, the
general dissemination of knowledge,
and the accessibility OF information de-
mand that old channels of thought
should be left in the background and
new positions taken in harmony with
the progress of the age.
All changes are not made from hon.
est convictions, but frequently from
mercenary and personal motives, and
for that reason they are liable to be
viewed with suspicion and often merit
severe censure. In the case of him
who has joined the silent majority, it
has not been proved that am
bition was the motive that i'm
PEELED him to cast his fortunes
with the Republican party; and, until
that has been determined, tits advisable
to cover his actions for the last few
years of his life with the mantle
of charity. Mr.. Gresham may have
changed his political views in,
the direction in which he considered
was for the interests of the people,
although from the universal distress
suffered they undoubtedly consider
free trade as curse upon the nation.
If he were alive it would not be
cowardly to question his motives; but
being placed in q position where he
cannot refute any charge brought
against him magnanimous generosity
may say that it is possible he was con-
scientiously convinced that he was in
error, and followed the example of
great men in advancing out of the
political opinions that he had followed
for veara