Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-17
cIEyELaNp.s ATLANTA LETTER.

u ~ 4
This is the season ffor reviving ana
bringing out long-forgotten letters and
savings of gentlemen prominent IN
national politics. The Atlanta Constitu-
zion presents as its contribution to TINS
sort of literature a fac-simile copy Of a
note addressed to the editor of that paper
in July. 1882.
The Constitution had opposed the nomi-
nation of Mr.. cleveland very pertina-
ciously; but always said it would abide
by the decision Of the National Demo-
cratic Convention, and it did.
The editor, .dr Howell. wrote Mr..
Cleveland that the nomination having
been made he (ClevelanO should have
the hearty and untiring support Of the
constitution. To this Mr.. Cleveland re-
piled with the letter which has just been
published.
Mr.. Cleveland's letter is Of Importance
1ust now, because OF the following express
sion in IT,
| think THE UNDERLYING PRINCE
PIE OF PARTY ORGANIZATION is
what YOU so admirably express as an
ACCEPTANCE OF THE ARBITRA-
MENT OF THE NATIONAL CONNEN-
TON on the other hand, it IS as fully
the duty OF one opposed 10 shut his mind
and heart 10 any feeling Of irritation or
resentment that might be allowed to
grow out Of opposition based upon honest
Judgment. and a conscientious desire for
party success.
Yes; the underlying principle of party
organization is IAN acceptance Of the
e 81 Mt ION
No party can long survive whose mem
bers do not adhere to this principle. The
'heads, l win; tails. you lose' idea would
not long keep together a political organi-
cation. Where differences exist they
should be referred 10 the arbitrament of
the national convention. and the judg-
ment of that tribunal should be accepted
as final and conclusive.
At this time, when there is so much
talk about the President and his Cabi-
net refusing to vote the Chicago ticket,
the Atlanta letter is particularly oppor-
tuno and important
And we think 1t Is all the more incum-
bent upon the President to support the
Chicago ticket because it was largely
through his fault that the extreme silver
men captured that convention. Had Mr..
Cleveland gotten out Of the way promptly
and allowed us to centre upon some con-
sentative candidate. we might have made
such a fight as would have compelled the
adoption at Chicago OF a platform diff
ferent from the one which was adopted
there, and which really does not represent
the best thought OF the party. But. no;
Cleveland would not declare himself as
q candidate for reelection, and would
not get out of the way of others who
wished the nomination. So our hands
were tied. SO the opponents OF free
coinage were hampered and embarrassed
and knew not which way to turn. They
had 10 carry Cleveland, and Cleveland
would not help them. SO time passed.
So victory slipped out Of our grasp. There
was no standard under which those who
dia not favor free silver could rally.
while the other wing of our party was led
by the silver senators. and had q def
nite.ond aggressive plan Of campaign.
Under these circumstances we should
think Cleveland would feel himself to
be under especial Obligations to act in
consonance with the doctrine he laid
down an his Atlanta letter.
The South we believe, win go solidly
for Bryan, and many Western States are
safe for him; but in States like Mary
land the advice of Mr.. Cleveland TO Dem
ocrats to support the ticket might be in
fuential VIII D. speak the word? Hard
1y. But let's wait and see.
Meanwhile. however, let it be remem-
bered that Mr. Cleveland laid down an
important party doctrine In forcible Ian
guage when he said that the under
lying principle OF party organization IS
an acceptance OF the arbitrament Of the
rational convention"