The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-05
TOWARD CLEVELAND.

The Democratic drift is clearly and un- | mistakably toward MT. Cleveland. One | finds here astonishing proof of this, at the hands of CongreSmen just returned l to legislation from prolonged stay with their constituents. This is not meant to apply to Demo- cratic members alone, but likewise to Re publicans, who confessedly have much to fear from the pre-eminent and overmas-
 tering leadership of the only man since 1856 who hasn't led the Democrats into the mud of Aksery.
 It is natural enough that none of these Congressmen likes to be quoted by name a being impressed with the great Cleve- land underCurrent; many Of the Demo- crats still fearing that damp of death.
 Bryan free silverism and socialism. and all Republicans being indisposed to en- courage popular impulse toward MT. Cleveland which makes for Democratic ascerd dency.
 Collectively, the House of Representa-
 lives is the most thoroughly representa-
 tive body of men in the World-that is,
 representative of current national ideas
 and impulses. Individually. the Congress-
 ran is fully aware of the drift of popu-
 lar opinion in his district upon every sub
 ject of general interest from the price
 of pork through all the gradations up to
 religion itself.
 If there be a change of popular view
 his mail instantly informs him. If crops
 are low and the necessities of life high.
 he knows all there is to know. Even if
 schoolhouse or new church Is to be
 built by some of his 225, 900 people, all the facts are related to him.
 Thus your Congressman is the man of
 all mer In our day who Is acquainted
 with popular conviction and the ever
 shifting course of popular impressions.
 When John Randolph of Roanoke first appeared at the bar of the House to
 take the oath of office, the Speaker. aston
 ished by his diminutive size and extreme
 ly youthful appearance, asked him if he
 was truly of lawful age to take his seat
 as a member.
 Ask my constituents who sent me
 here. sir piped Randolph shrilly, where
 at the House laughed and the Speaker
 swore.
 The truth was then and Is now that
 the Congressman's constituents know all
 about him and they make him know all
 about themselves.
 So it comes about that the general pub
 lie information possessed by a Congress-
 man, especially when imparted under the seal of secrecy as to his name, becomes of the highest value as news. And so comes something more than mere hints of the tremendous, if not somewhat latent, Cleveland spirit now stirring in the breasts of honest Ameri- cans who still care more for principle and righteousness than for pelf and ras- Cality.
 As to how MT. Cleveland himself re- gards this great uplifting tide that | threaten Sto again bear nlm 10 the great est power and most exalted honor, 1t is not given to me to know. And lest the | tenor of these remarks cause certain dis | tinguished Alabamians something of em- | rassment. it is advisable to say that the views of no AIahamian in particular | share in this news of the Cleveland move ment.
 In normal political conditions Alabama as a whole Is as matter of familiar fact for Mir Cleveland for anything he might consent to accept from the people at large.