Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-21

ps,s,hl,cane OF prominence who arc
ambitious and hopeful OF serving 'ns"-
r..vos ana their country in the "n"e
HOUSE. The Democrats orcupy quite
different Doaitlon. We don't know VINO
n rocking our nomination We nave "
from an lndispuiable source tnai MI
Cleveland says he does not Sish 10 DE
candidate again: that he asks 70 be con-
sidered not In the race. end that II -
the tondest wish Of his heart n sur
render Office at the end o. his present
term and devote some years TO resi-
and travel There il also said 10 be ~
existence q letter written b. Nr. Clevt-
land declaring. I'm effect that he viii
not accept a nomination. This alleged
letter has not yet seen daylight. and
until this occurs Mr. Cleveland viii be
looked upon as willing to become can
dIdase should his party ask that ser
vice ~ him.
Yes. SO long as the present status con-
tlnues unchanged Mr. Cleveland viii
be- considered can6idate-by many a.
the only candidate. Morrison and stew
enson will not be able to gather their
friends around them as they otherwise
would be able 10 do. unless MI.
Cleveland comes ont with a written de-
claration Of his purpose not 70 allow
his friends 70 vote for him. Were such
letter vritten and published. 1t Is not
unlikely that both Carlisle and Oiney
would enter the presidential race.
For our part we heartily hope that Mr..
Cleveland viii not keep his party in sus-
Dense The people ought to know his
purpose before they hold their pr.ms-
ries We have heard 1t said that Mr..
Cleveland cannot decline nomination
before it is offered him. etc. True; but
such an up-snd-doWn out-spoken man as
he has the reputation Of being, can find a
becoming way 20 let his wishes be known.
For instance. should Carlisle or Olney,
either or both, become recognized aspi-
rants for the nomination :, would be well
understood that the President was "ouI
OF it,
Notwithstanding the popular objection
to a third term, at this writing We know
OF TO man who could get more votes in
a Democratic convention than Mr.. Cleve-
land There would be strong opposition
TO him, too; but much would depend upon
the issue Of pending foreign questions
whether he would have strength enough
10 win a nomination In spite OF the third
term precedent and the two-thirds rule
OF one thing we feel certain. and this
Is that we have an interesting campaign
before Us. We do not forget that tho
Popuists and the Prohibitonlsts will bs
In the field with their electoral tickets.
nor that the Populists are quite az likely
TO carry a Republican State or two as q
Democratic State or two. Nor are We *
upset by the troubles In our own poliu
cal family az not 10 see that the Repub
Z leans have thorns in their flesh in tbs
shape Of several very insubordinate I'll
yer States And then there is the Nene
zuelan question. Who knows what viii
be the issue OF that dispute! Wh'
I knows what will be the report OF th'
/ United States commission? BE 1T rene
bered that that commission IS as nearl,
a bipartisan body as any ever appoint
cd by any President TO- any purpose
I Il England and Venezuela. shall not have
previously arranged their dispute I'm Z
manner 10 which this country can TAXI
no objection. the rep6rt of the commits
sion may cut great figure in the cam
paign Of this year