Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-19
Circumstances Under Which Mr..
Cleveland May Be Renominated.
WILL He LEAD 4 FORLORN HOPE?
That Proposition Now Being Dis
cussed by the Politicians.
COMPARISON WITH HILL

The talk of Mr.. Cleveland for third
term Is based ordinarily upon one or the
other of two propositions. The first is that,
if he succeeds in bringing his party around
to his views on the money question, the
democracy will be forced to put him up
again. In such circumstances, the nomi-
nation Of any other man would be suicidal.
1t might not be possible to win even with
Mr.. Cleveland, but without him the democ-
racy, in such contest and on such plat
form, would at no time be in it at all. The
second proposition is that, in the event of
a disruption of the two old parties on the
money question, the eastern democrats
coming out with the republicans for sound
money, and the western republicans going
over to the southern democrats in favor of
silver, Mr.. Cleveland, by virtue of the
stand he has taken and of the prestige he
enjoys as President, would be the logical
and the strongest representative of the new
alliance against free coinage. Both of these
propositions, it is to be observed, imply
success at the polls. Mr.. Cleveland, if
elected would not only break the record and
thereby add another tall plume to his ip
diVldual cap, but would render the country,
his admirers contend, a service scarcely
second in Importance to that rendered by
Mr.. Lincoln. 1t would be, indeed, second
saving of the country, putting it's credit
speed along the paths of prosperity.
Third Proposition.
There is now third proposition AID the
politicians are canvassing it with interest.
Would Mr.. Cleveland run again simply to
insure the success of his views on finance,
with the certain knowledge that he him
self would be defeated? If the democracy
south and west should hold out for free
coinage and nominate a man representing
th.a hnl1 1ivc
to their old moEey PLATFORM should nomi-
nate one of their own number to make the
race for them, would Mr.. Cleveland, in
order to afford rallying point for these
democrats who, while refusing to support
the free coinage nominee of their party,
would still be unwilling to vote for the
republican, accept nomination of the
sound money democrats and thus draw off
enough democratic votes to make the re-
publican success certain? Would he con-
sent to do by indrection what he had
found himself unable to do by direction?
Would he prefer to help along his favorite
issue in that way rather than by an open
and avowed support of the republican can
didate? Some very eminent men have in
times past lent themselves to this sort of
thing Although the contest in 1872 proved
to be so one-sided an affair, Charles OCon-
nor, 1t is pointed out, made his race for
President with the express purpose of
help.'% to defeat his party at the polls
Gen. Butler made similar race in 1884
and came near to accomplishing his pur-
pose. Another thousand votes drawn from
the democracy in New York would have
given the state to Blaine and thus have
elected him President.
A Great Draft on His Pride,
1t is easily to be seen how great Il draft
call of this kind would make on the per-
sonal pride of Mr.. Cleveland. His career
has been extraordinary. No man has ever
enjoyed evidences of greater popularity
with the people. He was elected governor
of New York by the largest majority on
record in that state, and in his third con-
secuive race for President he completely
distanced one of the ablest men who ever
occupied the White House. He still has a
large and devoted following, and in the
ordinary run of things may be expected to
retire from office with much prestige. Could
he be brought to becloud even temporarily
all of this in order to defeat free coinage?
Would he be willing to walk out of the
White House at the end of his term COW
cred with the maedctions of many of his
former political associates. and comfort
himself with the reflection that he had
contributed, to the last. in the only way left
him. to the cause of sound money and to
his own idea of preserving the national
credit? Would he be entitled to feel that
in serving his country best he had served
his party best?
A Comparison With Hill.
There seems to be always a comparison
at hand between Mr.. Cleveland and Mr..
Hill, and this case is thought to afford
one. 1t does not run regularly by any
means, but it serves to recall last years
race in New York. Mr.. Hill was then
called upon to make a personal sacrifice.
He was concededly the strongest man in
his party at home, and the strongest man
was needed. But even the strongest man
could not hope to win. Success at the
polls was out of the question. The only
thought was of saving the party from utter
arnihilation. And so Mr.. Hill was nomi-
mated for governor. He had filled tho office
three times, and while holding it had made
himself the most popular man in the state.
He had come to be considered invincible.
Another term as governor could add moth
ing to his comfort or reputation, while
defeat would be certain to impair his pres
tige before the country at large. He did
not hesitate but went into the battle full
of fight. The result was a crushing defeat
for him and all his friends. and for time
a personal discontinue which he made no
effort to conceal The loss of the election
by vote so overwhelming was well cal
culated to mortify a man who for seven
years had ridden on the topmoSt wave of
popularity and success. But Mr.. Hill soon
shook this feeling off. He had acted, as
his friends believed, for the good of the
party and this served as a comfort and
support for him.
If the sound money democrats make such
a demand on Mr.. Cleveland next year as
the discouraged New York democrats made
on Mr. Hill last year will Mr. Cleveiand
respond as readily as Mr.. Hill did and with
as certain knowledge of going straight
to defeat?