The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-01-18
CLEVELAND AND THE S0I

(From the New Orleans Times-DemocraD
We reproduce today In another column
from the Clarion Ledger an able anu
sensible article on the subject OF the
indebtedness of the South to Cleveland
and OF Cleveland to the South. There is
vast amount of rubbish talked by SOL
disant democrats, who are pleased to
call themselves the gold wing" Of the
democratic party, as to their being the
sole repository of the correct principles
OF democracy; and Of this soi-disant
gold wing" Grover Cleveland Is the
prophet and idol. 1t is they who, under
Cleveland's leadership, are so hysteri-
cally anxious Ito reorganize the demo-
cratic party and to bring 1t back to the
true democratic path whence, according
to their self complacent statement, 1t has
wandered under the auspices OF the false
teachings of Bryan and other untrust-
worthy guides.
1t is these soi-disant democrats who
| keep harpng for eyermore on the I'M
| mense obligations under which Grover
]
racy. II is true that, In referring to
these obligations, they are careful not
| to make specific mention of particular
acts of the ex-president whereby he
| made the South and the democracy his
perpetual debtors and this is a mark
of wisdom on their part, for they might
find it difficult to bring The South and
| the democracy to q realizing sense OF
! their great Indebtedness to Mr. Cleve-
Land.
The South and the democracy, as the
! Clarion Ledger says, owe nothing to ex-
President Cleveland; on the contrary. the
boot is on the other leg. Mr.. Cleveland
owes two terms of the presidency to the
South; and the South it was that thus
gave Cleveland greatness and held out
to him opportunities of wealth-accumu-
lation which listed him among the rich
men Of the country. In other words,
the South has made Cleveland socially
what he Isl and to represent the ex-
president as being its benefactor is to
make an absurd travesty of the facts, as
they exist.
What Cleveland did for the democracy
(the democracy being again, politically
| speaking, another name for the SOUTH
was to break IL up into two factions, his
faction of the party being a sort of tail
to the republican kite; and it was be-
yond peradyenture, Clevelsnd's breaking
up OF the party by allying himself with
the radical magnates OF Wall street that
caused the defeat of the democracy IN
the general elections both of 1896 and
1900.
This is, briefly, what Cleveland has
done for the South and democracy, and
what the South aud democracy have
done for Cleveland; and, il balance
were struck. there would be little diff
Guilty in saying on which side the balance
lies.
The Olarion-L Ledger has struck that
balance, in the reprinted article referred
to- and it has struck it so clearly and
so forcibly that nobody who reads the
article will have a moments hesitation
IN saying whether the Indebtedness is on
the side Of the South and democracy. or
on the side of Cleveland
= ~
(From Jackson (Mlssl Clarion Ledger. !
In his communication in defense of
Mr.. Cleveland. Colonel j. R. Eggleston,
and old and intelligent citizen OF Kinds
county, crticises, and is disposed to rldi-
cule the Southern papers," the Clarion
Ledger among them. which have con-
demned that gentleman for rushing into
print with views and interviews after
the presidential election, denouuclng the
democracy for running counter to his
preconceived notions OF party policy, and
advising it as to the future.
Colonel Eggleston is much aggrieyed
that Southern papers" would dare to
oritic.se Mr.. Cleveland, and asks, "Why
this renewed attack on a private citizen
OF rrinceton?
"Why?"
For the reason that Grover Cleveland
ihree times nominated by the democracy
10 tne highest office within its gift, twice
deserted 1t, after the party had. in dele
gated conventions, convened by order Of
the National executive committee, whose
authority no one questions, nomin ated
JUS candidates and adopted its platforms
IN regular and accustomed manner,
Why?
For the reason that Grover Cleveland
mas proven political traitor, bolter
ana traducer of the party that has so
N's"'S noholSu nlH-re1ecting its NOM
inees' spurning its platform, rejoicing in
its defeat.
] Why?
for the further reason, that having de-
serted MS party, contributing to its de-
IeAt, and affliating with its eneraies
GroVer Cleveland energies from his re-
treat 10 curse and condemn 1t, and with
presumptuous condescension, to advise II
tor the future; arrogating to himself the
right TO criticise and counsel the Marty
that he had deserted, setting himself nm
as leader and prophet OF six and a half
million loyal democratic voters Ia whom
ne had proven false,
Why?
ror the still further reason that Gro
Yer Cleveland has no claim unon or riabt
W speAk for the democracy; and having
deserted It upon the eve OF battle whom
confronted by trusts, imperialism mill
lsrlsm ana other evils of republican ori.
gin, the democracy now regulates him
seeming 10 recognize In him either
leader or friend. S''no'
AZ these reasons are not sufficient 10
warrant a renewed attack upon This ,ri-
Vate citizen" others VIII be fortbrnr.; r..
time. suihce Tor the
The clarion-Ledger wholly d,s,oot.
rom the views expressed by t,nIonsI
nssieston that the South owes Mr. CIeve-
lanu debt OF gratitude" THE co,,lh
yves MN nothing, but he owes tho sontt
.H'rEtnlnc. II twice made bi t