The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-05-16
Cleveland and the Presidency

If the opinions of the members Of the
National Democratic Committee Is an in
dex of public sentiment, the party j. op-
posed to the nomination Of Mr. Cleveland
in 1904 for President OF the twenty
eight interviewed. bu: three favor his
nomination, seventeen are opposed TO him
and eight non-committal
Mr.. Cleveland has beea credited with
desire for the nomination ever since he ac-
cepted an invitation to speak At the dedi
cation Of the fair grounds at st. Louis and
he has not denied that be would accept a
nomination. la answer to Georgia edi-
tor as to whether he was candidate, he
replied At no time since the close of
my last administration have been desirous
Of carrying the Democratic banner for the
fourth time IN Presidential contest =
He does not say he would not accept
nomination.
While Mr. Cleveland has strong per
sonal following, and would command the
support of many Independents and Repub
lieans, he did not stand by the national
ticket in 1896 or 1900, aud there are
thousands Of party men who would not
support him This is true in every State
and every county. These are more than
enough to offset the Independent and Re
publican votes he would receive. To win
the Democrats must have a united party
Mr.. Cleveland cannot command the solid
support of the Democracy, and We scarcely
believe his name is being seriously eousid
cred By any considerable number Of Dem
ocrats.
Mr. Cleveland would also have to face
the opposition to third term if he were
nominated, and this would be no ineonsid-
cradle vote
1t is scarcely conceivable that Mr..
Cleveland could be induced to enter the
race again. He has been three times 4
candidate and twice filed the Presidential
Office. He can add nothing TO his fame
by another term, and might lose much.
While he has not said he would decline a
nomination, we believe he would discour-
age his friends from putting him in the
field if he would consider the certain oppo-
sition he would encounter in the Demo
cratic ranks While Grant is not to be
compared to Cleveland in point of ability,
still he was strong with large section OF
his party. He could not, however, win a
nomination in 1876, so powerful was the
opposition to third term. Cleveland is
strong, also, but he will find the averse-
ness of the people to third term serious
stumbling block Then there are thou
sands of Democrats who would not march
under his banner, because he twice bdlted
the regularly nominated Presidential ticket.
Having set the example, he could not
complain if Democrats should decline to
support him.
The nomination of candidates for 1904
is year off At present there Is no one
in sight better qualified to lead than Sen
ator German, and none who could com
mand more united party support. He
is conservative, and the business interests
of the country would not be afraid to trust
him. He has been regular as party
man. and no Democrat could have excuse
for not supporting him. His great ability
is everywhere conceded; his Judgment Is
relied upon; his conservatism is eonsplcu-
Gus. Able safe and courageous, with nc
antagonists within the party, Mr. Cor
man would make strong candidate.