Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-03-26
No Imitation of Mr.. Cleveland.

The New York Evening Post, which has
beer a vigorous champion of reciprocity
With Cuba. is not so happy in its latest de-
Hvsrance on the subject After describing
the situation in Congress, and berating the
mer who have delayed action, it urges the
President in the following terms to a
greater degree of aggressiveness:
lie does not need to be mortally afraid
of initiating Grover Cleveland. If that
President had waited to 'harmonize' the
democratic party in the support OF the Dill
TO repeal the silver law, it would never
have been repealed. He boldly threw him.
self upon the country, and upon both par
ties In Congress. and secured his impera-
lively needed law by the aid of republican
votes. Mr.. Roosevelt should seek demo-
cratic votes in Congress, If they are neces-
s"ry to pass a measure which he himself
has asserted to be demanded by the highest
considerations of national morality and
honor IL party fails him. to the people
let him go. They undoubtedly DESIRE in
their great majority, to deal fairly with
Cuba. But public opinion on the subject
needs to be consolidated and directed. The
President is the man TO do IT. He is the
natural leader TO whom the people look. 1t
is for him to meet their just expectations
He can prevent the insincere House lead
ers from putting him OFF from week to
week and month to month, and yet save
from n national disgrace In our treat
ment OF Cuba. by taking his stand fear
lessly and publicly for a speedy and honor.
able fuifllment Of our promises"
Mr.. Roosevelt need not be afraid of imi-
tating anybody where a good example has
been set But surely Mr.. Cleveland's man.
agement of the silver question, with the
d.fculties that followed, may not safely
Ice accepted as Guide in the matter of the
Cuban question. Mr.. Cleveland had the
right Of the silver controversy. The Sher-
lou h1I
Purchasing clause had become a menace to
financial health. Repeal of that clause was
clearly the duty of the hour But as the
democratic party had long been distinctly
the party of silver. aud was now charged
With the responsibility for legislation, Mr..
Cleveland owed it to himself as well as to
his party to move with caution toward the
end he had in view. A leader was neces-
sary. A driver was not. Mr.. Cleveland
elected to become a driver. and pumped
the question down on Congress In such
feshion as to anger his party and force him
openly into the camp of the opposition for
support.
He carried his point. but some OF the most
eminent of his sound money followers in
his party were of opinion that he might
have secured as good results by less ag-
gressive exercise of executive power. The
result was TO leave him for the remainder
o. his term without influence with his
party in Congress on any proposition, and
at the close without party at all. When
tSrln revision came on. many of the party
leaders. as much in favor of reform as he,
refused even to consult with him on the
subject. and such confusion and bad feel
ing followed as produced a bill acceptable
10 nobody, and n failure from the time it
became a law without Mr.. Clevelands sig
nature.
{ Cuban reciprocity is necessary and should
be arranged for. The duty devoives upon
the party in power. Mr.. Roosevelt is right
IN using his influence to assist In the Sc
curing of the needed legislation, but emf
nentIy right in attempting no driving tao
tics. Conferences and persuasion are bet
ter. Other questions of Importance will
follow the Cuban question. and Mr. Roose-
Welt sees the value of uniting his party and
keeping it united as to them.