Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-10
Democratic Leaders Placed in an
Awkward Position.
CHAUNCEY DEPEW'S INTERVIEW
His Opinion of Mr.. Cleveland Not
Satisfactory.
THE THIRD TERM QUESTION

chauncey M. Depew finds it difficult to
speak of Mr.. Cleveland in a way to please
either political party. And yet he seems
to be fond of the theme. He eulogized him
in such terms at a dinner party in New
York several years ago that the democrats
made use of the tribute in the campaign Of
1892, very much to the Indignation of the
republican managers and equally SO to
MIR. Depew's own discontinue. The parti-
san emergency forced him into an explana-
ton or qualification Of his remarks. Again
he has taken up the subject, and this time
the democracy objects This latest tribute
seems also to be loaded.
His Latest Utterance.
Mr. Depew speaks from London in an in
terview by cable. He stiIl thinks very
highly of Mr.. Cleveland but confesses that
he is halting somewhat between two opin-
ions about him. He is as yet unable to
decide whether the President is simply an
adroit man playing in phenomenal luck or
really great statesman threading his way
with the eye of genius through the most
trying complications. But however this
may be. Mr. Depew has no doubt whatever
on one point. Mr.. Cleveland, in his opinion,
is the strongest man In the democratic
party, and as such is likely to be nominat-
ed Tor the presidency again. The cry Of
Saesarism will not prevail against him.
Depew predicts, will be rejected at the
polls This will follow, because the de-
mocracy, as he insists, stands hopelessly
discredited before the country.
The Sting OF the DeIiverance.
Here is found the sting of Mr.. Depews
deliverance. The democrats complain that
ne puts the third term proposition In it's
most offensive and damaging FORM SO far
as their party is concerned He suggests
| the strongest argument against a third
term now. They admit that they see no
manifestation of what is called Caesarfsm
IN Mr. Cleveland. He would never develop
INTO mat most dreaded specter. the man on
horseback. II elected President for another
term they believe ne would administer the
once as he is now doing, and be willing to
surrender It at the end of the four years.
But what they are cor sidering is the at
| tftude in which the party would be placed
by putting Mr.. Cleveland again at the head
| of the ticket.
How the Democrats Put 1t.
The case is put in this way: party, So
Letting power at the hands of the people
meets in national convention, adopts a plat
| form Of principles, and dominates a ticket.
The assurance is given that il this action
Is ratified at the polls these principles will
| be applied to the affairs of the country.
The principles are not only those of the
candidates. but of all the members OF the
party The candidates for President and
vice President are supposed to have car
ried on their honors largely by reason of
the strength and influence of personal
characteristics and good generalship They
VIII, II elected, aid in the carrying out OF
the platforms, but SO would any of the other
aspirants had they been chosen and elect
cd 1t is the party that is pledged the
most deeply, and it is the party the country
| Is asked to accept.
The One-Mnn Principle,
For this. leading democrats point out.
Mr. Depew, a republican, proposes to his
] opponents the substitution of the one-man
principle. He would have the democracy
go into national convention and publicly
confess that 1t Is so riven and demoralized
Il at as party it can lay no claim to pub
t nc support. nut as the possessor of one
again carry its banner it respectfully So
lfcfts a continuation of favor. This is the
aemocracy's danger. as democrats see 1t.
The party, they insist, must not be put In
any such attitude. for, as they admit a
party occupying such an attitude would
neither receive nor deserve the support of
the country. This Is a government by par
ties. not by strong leaders, and the appeal
to the people must always be made in the
ns me of party. If the democracy is to nope
claiming of policy which any of its lead
ers would fifty represent, and, If elected,
would Loyalty carry out. If it should APP
sna the is SO reduced that but
the country will lie in the party and not in
IL at candidate.
The Republican Party.
The comparison. naturally, is with the re.
publican party. Harrison, Reed, Mckinley,
Allison. Morton. all are aspirants for next
years leadership, and all are in substantial
agreement on the questions of moment.
Differences of opinion as to the degrees of
protection that ought to be afforded by the
tariff exist, but the principle of prote ction
is Endorsed by the whole quintet, as are
also sound money and a vigorous foreign
policy. So that, under any leader chosen
next year. the republican party will stand
for definite policy, certain. in case of re-
publican success. of adoption and enforce
ment And that is the sort of party union
in which only there Is strength. The DEM
ocratic leaders are trying to guide by it in
arranging their affairs.