Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-07

The Louisville Courier-Journal, which
supported the cause Of the boiling De-
mocrats last fall and which to that ex-
tent, at least, was in league with Mr..
Cleveland, publishes a four-column edl-
torial reviewing the last presidential
administration. The article we take II,
is from the pen of Henry Watterson,
and purports TO deal with Mr. Cleveland
with judicial calmness and impartiality.
We quote the concluding paragraphs,
which afford an excellent sample of the
whole article:
He came into Office, the first Demo-
cratic President in twenty-five years. AS
10 the political issues of the time, he
possessed no special instruction. OF the
leading men of his party he knew Ut
tie or nothing. No man ever crossed
the threshold of the White House so Ill
prepared as he; for even General Taylor
had been the commander Of national
armies. and was personally acquainted
with all the great men Of the nation.
Yet with the bravery of ignorance-or,
shall we say, with the self-confidence or
the man of destiny?-Mr. Cleveland
thought he knew it all.
To him. the Senate OF the United States
was the Legislature Of the State OF New
york. the House of Representatives. the
CITY Council of Buffalo. He found out
his mistake. But, as his intelligence in
creased his amiability diminished. The
last four years, he has cultivated neither,
preferring to pursue method, hah
boorish and half autocratic. peculiarly
his own. driving alike from his per-
sonal intercourse and public support men
Ind
their own, or a strong sense of self-re-
spect.
IL these shortcomings were brought to
Mr. Cleveland. face TO face, he would
admit them, and would defend them.
lie would say: Every one who came to
me had an axe TO grind. l found disin-
terestedness nowhere; selishness or cor
ruption everywhere i did my best re-
fusing to compound with either the one
or the other. Assuredly there would
be foundation for such statement; but.
in peace as in war. the standard is sue
cess; and the man who has taken the
field with a great army and ample re-
sources, and lost all, cannot set up the
plea that everybody was to blame ex-
cept himself.
The Courier-Journal has at all times
sought 10 do him justice. 1t has at no
time entertained ill-will against him. IN
the main, it has supported the ieaulhs
features OF his administration policy. IL
1t has not been able under all circum-
stances 10 accept the dogma Of his inlaih-
billty. a submission required by the Mug
wump contingent whose counseis ne Seems
10 have considered, but who have in rean-
~ done him a world Of harm, II mas YET
conceded, as occasion required, both ms
worth and claims. lie has been not the
greatest Of our Presidents, as his parucu-
lar admirers contend--perhaps We should
not be willing 10 place him even AMONG
the greatest. with Washington, Jefferson,
jackson, and Lincoln TO set the pace-out
many a man might have done worse Tor
the country at large than he, though II
may be doubtful whether any man couid
have done worse for his party.
lie goes out Of Office with great
measure OF the public respect. justly due
him. with little Of the popular affection
and. when his place IN history Is finally
determined the verdict will probably be
OF a mixed description, rather more OF APP
proval and applause being given TO his
intention than to his achievement.