The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-05-07
CLEVELAND PRES
IDENTIAL POSSIBILITY
Conditions Which Again
Make Him a Prominent
Figure

The fact that ex-President Cleve- I
land delivered an address at the
dedicatory ceremonies OF the Louis
lana purchase exposition at ST. Louis
and the recent prominence of his
name in the editorial columns Of
newspapers Of all shades of political
faith in every portion of the country
have caused It to be recognized that
in certain quarters there exists the
hope-even belief-that he is a pos
siblllty for the Democratic presden-
tial nomination in 1904. And by the
way, a unique feature Of these dedi-
catory ceremonies will be the fact
that Mr. Cleveland will there meet
the present president of the United
States, Theodore Roosevelt, the same
Theodore Roosevelt whom Mr.. Cleve-
land Willie president appointed to the
civil ,ervice board Of the United
States, thereby giving him his first
opportul ity to make himself a nation
al figure, an opportunity, as subse-
quent events have shown, of which he
was in nowise slow to take advantage.
One wing Of what might be called
the cleveland Democracy is openly
in favor of it's favorite's nomination
for the presidency in 1904 This sec
ton argues that the prejudice against
a third term is founded upon sentl-
ment and nothing else, and that Mr..
Cleveland will be the strongest pos
sibe candidate his party can put
forth, as he will attract thousands OF
men who ordinarily would not think
of voting the Democratic ticket, and
that, moreover. it is impossible to al
lege with any show Of truth that he
has ever failed to do his duty as he
saw IT,
The other wing of the cleveland
Democracy" is anxious TO have the
ex-president take an active part in
shaping the policy of the party. This
he is bound to do, it says, out of or
binary gratitude for what the party
has done for him In support of thi.
view are cited the cases OF Thomas
Jefferson and Andrew Jackson Boil
of these after leaving the white hous'
participated actively in consultation
as to the policy of their party an'
their words were listened to with re
spectful attention by the leaders witt
had taken their places. But this fac
ton further declares that not onl.
does Mr.. Cleveland not want the nom
nation in 1904, but that lie should no
be permitted to have 1t, despite tn
fact that his counsel and inhuenc
are now much needed and greatly dc
sired. In short, he may be the pres
ident maker, but not the president.
Those Democrats who adhere to tn
principles enunciated by the platform
oil 1896 and 1900 are bitterly oppose
TO Mr. Cleveland either rs adviser o
as candidate No man. they say. VIII
withheld his support in two succei
sive campaigns from lhe party viii ,
had twice made him president can e'
pect any further consideration from i
All Democrats, however, as well a
the great mass of Republicans, ar
willing to concede that. entirely asid
from their views on Mr. Cleveland
eligibility as the nominee Of 1904, h
is beyond a doubt a remarkably fore
ful man.
And that Grover Cleveland Is
forceful personality. man Of extri
ordinary aggTessiveness OF characte
with determination which his friend
call will power" and his enemies di
miss as "stubbornness. the record
amply demonstrate.
Most Of Mr.. Cleveland's politics
success may be said to have come q
the result of the enmities he has ei
gendered. AS Sheriff Of Erie count
he was soon at loggerheads with
ring which had previously been ru
ming things with a high hand Whe
two men were to be executed, instea
Of hiring a Jack Ketch" he himse
sprung the bolt which sent the tN
men into eternity This was seize
upon and made much Of when he We
running for governor OF New York an
later for the presidency OF the Unite
States. AS mayor OF Buffalo he fir
won the sobriquet OF Veto" Clev
land Many measures which failC
to receive the executive o. X. wei
popular with the citizens One
these. a resolution adopted by the eli
council to divert from the Fourth
July fund the sum OF $500 for Il
celebration OF Memorial DAY, had
hind it not only the G. A. r., b
practically everybody in the city,
clading Mr. Cleveland himself Y
he vetoed It on the ground that Il