The semi-weekly messenger., 1903-12-04
r. Bellany.

There is nothing in the letter OF
Mr.. Cleveland published in The Post
yesterday morning, in WHICH he states
that he can not again accept a NOM
ination for the presidency that he
could not say with all prOpriety. The
Post believes that in thus saying h<R
gives expression to his sincere per-
cOnal desires in the matter. Indeed.
we will go farther and say that haS
he said that he wanted another nom--
ination and encouraged his friends to,
work to that end, it would have Sc
riously initiated against the position
of high dignity and unquestioned in
fiuence, which can we'll be described
as superb, which he enjoys in ths
estimation of his countrymen whoss,
estimation of any man or measure
can or does contribute to the gen.
eral welfare or intelligent popular
judgment. Mr.. Cleveland's position,
therefore. is admirable as unas-
sailable, we may as we'll add unap-
proachable.
Eut the general welfare of this re-
public and its people, and the in
tegrity and future welfare of the
democratic party are involved, Sc
riouSly involved in this next contest
The country is not satisfied with Mr.
Roosevelt, and this dissatisfaction is
by no means confined to that gentle
mans party opponents. Nor has the
country been satisfied with the ten
dencieS and associations nS-fuSions-Os
the democratic party and its leader
ship of late years. 1t is first proper
that the country should be assured OF
the return of the democracy to its
conservative, well defined principles
under leaders whose party as well "a
personal integrity, judgment and
courage are known or all men, TO
justify it in appealing to the con-
science and confidence of the people,
and specially to justify it in expect
ing the support of that large and
growing element that is both alarmed
at and dissatisfied with present con-
ditions and the dangerous possibilities
as we'll as tendencies of the present
leader of the party in power. Under
these conditions it is the party ana
the country through the party tina.
must speak and who has the right to-
command, against which PERSONAL
preferences cannot and will not stand
This is the situation today. and
this is Mr.. Cleveland'S relations to it
He does not desire the nomination for
another term as president and says
so with becoming emphasis. But MI
Cleveland's relations to present con-
ditons, party and otherwise, and the"
future welfare of both party ana
country, are such that the latter have
the greater privilege in the premises
of demanding services and PERSONAL
sacrifices if need be, of him who carz
be most useful and helpful In the
present emergency. In view of it's
higher duty to the country the party
must act with reference to that duty
rather than the predictions of anS
individual.
And the duty of the party to the
country and itself in the present.
emergency is plain. No stronger in
dication of that duty can be shows
than the very act of Mr.. Cleveland
hlnself in writing the letter publish
ed yesterday. as it is but an intelli-
gent recognition of that popular opin-
ion which is turning SO unerringly
TO him as the one man upon whom
the party and the country can de-
pend for successful leadership in the
next great battle.
Mr.. Cleveland has exercised his
privilege and declared his personal
preference; but this does not absolve-
the party from its great duty to the
country-Raleigh Post.