New-York tribune., 1895-12-16
DEMOCRACY or CLEvEL4yD0cR4CYy

The play began some years ago Its opening
act was chiefly the monologue of so-called
''parOchlal statesman" with an abnormal pro-
fusion OF ~ and ME" and My" 1t went
through various scenes Of arrogant autocracy.
There was Executive assumption OF legislative
functions. There was a Paramount Commits
sloner, sent out In eytra.consttutlOnal fashion,
not as the diplomatic representative OF the
United States Government. but as the personal
representative OF the individual Chief Execli-
tive. There was a Congress on His hands too;
which lie held with the gracious condescension
of a Car who permits his people TO amusc them
selves with playing az government while he
himself retains supreme control These ana
other such We're personal symptoms. SO the
star actor introduced himself
Then came change OF scene. The Ambassa-
dor TO Great Britain took his cue. Speaking
as the representative Of the American Govern
ment and OF the American Nation. he informed
foreign audience that government Of the
people for the people, and by the people,
was played out The American people were
not fit for selfgovernment. They We're strong.
self.confdent oftentlmes violent They actually
wanted To have their own way. II took strong
man. indeed to govern them but such man
was found In Grover Cleveland. The time had
come for personal rule. in brief monarchy,
to be established here. And SO the lackey
sounded his masters praise.
The next act brought on Il general Third Term
epidemic in all the Cuckoo press. We We're.
with solemn iteration. told that Mr.. Cleveland
must be reelected in 1896, because there was not
another man in all the Nation fit to be Presi-
dent The country would 20 straight to the
demniton bowwows without him. His rc-elec-
ton was necessary for our salvation True,
Washington and jefferson and those other fel-
lows had been content with two terms each,
and had spoken strongly against further OK
tension OF the tenure. and the Nation had been
able to fill their places with fit successors. But
they replied the Cuckoos. were not as great men
as Grover Cleveland, and their places were
therefore more easily filed; and the country was
not then in as critical condition as now. True
also that Mr. Cleveland had himself sententious-
ly inveighed against even second term. But
that was before he was elected AZ all, and be-
fore even he realized fully his own greatness
and the absolute dependence Of the Nation upon
him
The fourth act IS now before us. We are
gravey assured, with all that preternaural So
parboilcd owls are capable, that loyalty to
America means personal loyalty to Grover Cleve-
land; and not merely 10 him as the present in
cumbent OF the Presidential office, but 10 him
as perpetual claimant and perpetual candidate,
as long as fish swim wild ducks fly. VIII
yoiI. or will you not support him for a Third
Term: That is the true test Of patriotism
Anything short Of it Is 4 sham If You Will
not vote for giving him Third Term, You are
a traitor to your country. For the country ex-
lists only for him. for his personal comfort"
We are to swear allegiance to him. not to the
Constitution and laws We arGnot TO take pride
in being free American citizfas. but, with all
reimbursement. are to be huPbly grateful for
The privilege Of being the subjects Of Grover
Cleveland And SC the Cuckoo chorus plays its
part.
Well, there will be another act. despite the
customs Of dramatic art in these degenerate
DAYS We must bark back to the Shakespearian
rule Of tive-act comedies. For this will be no
tragedy Of that be sure. unless for Cuckoo day
dreams and consccratcd ambitions. Indeed, it is
scarcely worthy TO be rcckoned 4 full-fedgcd
comedy Broad farce or bowling burlesque is its
more Just designation. But let the last act be
brief one The audience is even now awcary
of the play. and most OF all Of It's chief player.