New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-11
THE PRESIDENTS DESTINY.

Mr. Watterson's observations about n third
term for President Cleveland are vigorous ana
full Of shrewdness, If not in the highest degree
complimentary He maintains that the iresi
dent cannot be renominatcd, that II he were nom
mated he would not carry single Congressional
district in the United States, and that the man
is "a fool or craven tool" who thinks that MI
Cleveland will be considered one of the greatest
statesmen of the country. But why this heat?
President Cleveland believes in Il tariff for
revenue only, and has really lifted his party
above itself in forcing it to make determined
fight for one of its traditional principles. If
Democratic principles deserve any honor what
ever the President has in this particular been
one Of their foremost champions. Possibly MI
Watterson may have observed that the only an
nual message ever devoted by a President to one
controverted topic was inspired by Mr.. Clcve-
lands anxiety to sweep out Of his way other
aspirants for the Democratic nomination. But
if that is true it is still the fact that he led the
way to the only complete victory his party has
won for more than tfirty years, and If its fruits
prove Dead Sea apples, that is the fault or the
Democratic theories and principles, and not of
the President who tried to get them adopted
The battle for tariff reform. he and his friends
IL.
because he yielded or wavered or compromised
but because the kind Of tariff which his party
has for half a centu constantly demanded Is
one which prostraes American Industries MI
Watterson himself has been for many years
bold and uncompromising advocate of such
tariff Why is il that he cannot fiLd words OF
praise for the President who has brocght Demo
cratic theories to something like practical test:
Mr.. Watterson also believes In sound money
He must admit that in this respect the President
is much nearer right than the great majority OF
his party He has not been altogether consistent
II is true His advocacy OF the State BANK
scheme would deserve the severest denuncation
from Mr. Watterson, though it does not appear
that this is the basis or cause Of the distinguished
Kentuckan's hostility AS to silver. the Pres-
dent has not beer entirely consistent, but no
other Democratic leader has managed to lift
himself so far above the vicious and destructive
tendencies of his party, and if he has thereby
made himself profoundly hated by Democrats it
does not appear that Mr.. Watt ought for
that reason TO censure him.
Presumably President Cleveland could not be
elected third time. but it may h his destiny 10
dictate his own denomination, and by doing so 10
insure a more complete defeat for his party than
II would meet with any other candidate. Indeed
II looks as if the renominatlon Of the President
would simply destroy the Democratic party as
coherent political force and bring about the per-
mancnt rupture which has so long been threat
ened and with so much difficulty avoided. The
Southern and Western Democrats would prob
ably go over to Populism in great numbers, If
they had to choose between support Of President
Cleveland and abandonment Of their party. But
this might after all be the greatest and browning
service Of the President 10 his country. If 1t
should prove his mission to abolish the Demo-
cratic party, and to put an end to its chances Of
success. he would have some claim to the graft
tude of Americans.