The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-09

ocratfc President in quarter of century.
A strong. self-confident but uninstructed
man. he proved a very bull in china shop
OF the tariff he knew nothing, and almost
next to nothing of the men who had fought
the battle for revenue reform. He did not
temporize. He simply fioundered. The only
question he seemed to care about was civil
service reform. Finally, in December, 1887,
having imag ined in an imperfect way that
he had seen light, he sent message to
Congress, of which. though it electrified the
country. he did not remotely foresee the
consequences or in the least comprehend the
force"
During the events succeeding the issuing
of this message the Courier-Journal kept
its guns well shotted with wholesome
Democratic truths" and refused to worship
the newly risen sun or permit its readers
to be deceived by false claims and repre-
sensations. This course, Mr.. Watterson
points out, was justified by the retirement
of Mr.. Cleveland from office without hav-
ing brought to a successful issue any one
of the measures on which his party had set
its hope" He went out of office after
twelve years of personal ascendency, ''hav-
ing wrecked the party that had twice nomi-
mated and twice elected him President"
Having thus paid his respects to Mr..
Cleveland and his supporters Mr.. Waiter
son takes up the financial question and
frankly confesses his mistaken course in
supporting the free-silver side up to 1883.
Finally he says. 'he paid for his short
coming with his political life, and, having
made his peace with his Maker and squared
the account with himself he is no further
concerned about the part he may have
played in chapter of political history not
very creditable to anybody connected with
it." He and his paper are opposed to free
silver now, and think it invites defeat, but
adds, "the Courier-Journal is a Democrat,
and what the rest can stand it can stand"
1t tried to snatch the party as brand
from the burning in 1896 and in 1897; in this
campaign it ceased the effort to snatch;
feeling that the acute stage of the free-sil-
yer disease is over and believing that there
are more pressing questions to be decided
it supports the party ticket. But, evidently,
as this anecdote indicates, it is not hopeful
of success:
During the dark days of 1876, when
middle tennessee was overrun by federal
troops, the late Meredith p. Gentry was ar
rested and conducted before his old friend,
Gen. Lowell H. Rousseau. Brought to ques-
ton, the matchless Wing orator drew him
self to his full height, and, in that sonorous
and melodious voice which at least Ten
nesseeans will never forget, exclaimed:
General Rousseau, you know ! loved the
Union. The dearest aspira tons of my young
ne were poured out as rich ibatons upon
It's affairs. l grew gray in its service. Still
the the cause Of the Union went down and and
steamboat Secession came along. | saw
first one neighbor and then another neighbor
get aboard, and, when all were aboard ex
cept me, and / was left alone upon the
shore and they were about to haul in the
gang plank, | cried out: Hold on, boys;
III go with you, if you go to hell!
In conclusion the veteran editor says:
What lies beyond we seek not to pene-
trate. We have seen enough. We are ready
to go to the final Judge, and shall go shout
who led the children out of the wilderness
and gave to the modern world a Washing
ton and a Lincoln will not take care of
all the interests of this great Republic be-
tween Porto Rico and the Philippine islands,
betwe Havana and Hawaii, even as He
took care of the territory of Louisiana and
the empire of Texas, always on the side of
the Anglo-Saxon, carrying across His back
the cross of Calvary, in His heart Christ and
Him crucified!
While the Democratic party continues in
it's present misguided course Mr.. Waiter
sons advice and admonitions are not likely
to be needed; but as fair and square OPP
ponent Republicans will hope that he may
long remain at the editorial helm. So good
fighter adds greatly to the interest of po-
ltical conflict.