New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-28
Mr.. CLEYELAND'S LETTER.


Mr.. CIevelands letter to DR.. st Clair Nickel
way will bring disappointment to many Demo
cratic hopes. There has never been any great
probability that the advocates of his nomina-
ton could overcome the deep seated objection
OF the BryanItes, who still have great influence
In many States which they do not control.
Time and returning sanity made them ready
to forsake the radicalism Of 1896, but it was
asking too much to expect them to take kindly
TO one who opposed them then as stoutiy as MIR.
Cleveland. They might become CONSERVATIVES.
but they could not forgive their dearest foe.
Nevertheless, there was reason to think that
Mr.. Cleveland would be the strongest candidate
against President Roosevelt whom the Demo
Gratis could name. Many observers, both Demo
Gratis and Republicans, thought that he offered
the Democrats their best hope of rehabilitation,
though they had no expectation that Democratic
managers and factions would have the polit-
ical sense to rally about him.
Now both his friends and enemies in the
party are confronted with the necessity of rally
ing about somebody else. Mr.. Cleveland is per-
fectly explicit. He says: 81 have not for a mo-
'ment been able, nor am l now able, to open
my mind to the thought that in any circum-
stances or upon any consideration / would ever
again become the nominee Of my party for
"the Presidency. My determination not to do
natural view which Mr.. Cleveland might be ex-
pected to take, even with a much more brilliant
prospect Of success than would face him now,
and we see no reason to suppose that his de-
cision in any sense is merely making virtue
of necessity. All that the Presidency has to
give Mr.. Cleveland has had. To a man past
middle life, happily situated In dgnifed retire
ment, after having held twice the most exalted
station, a new plunge into the turmoil Of active
political leadership can have no attractions
Nothing but national crisis could make the
sacrifice seem necessary, and there is no
tional crisis. The country has got on happily
in spite Of a disrupted Democracy, and, while
a strong and respectable opposition party is
highly desirable, its creation is hardly the duty
of Mr.. Cleveland. He has right to be proud
of the manifestation of confidence which the
talk of his possible candidacy has evoked, and
to rest on the work that he has already done.
Mr.. Cleveland's declination leaves an open
field. No aspirant has the prestige to make his
nomination seem anything but second best
Mr.. Olney has Inherited many of the enmities
of the Cleveland administration and little of
the personal strength of his former chief. Mr..
Hill is apparently no longer serious figure In
national politics. Judge Gray is prominent
largely as participant in measures of Repub
ican antecedents. Mr.. German is the clever
party manager whose whole calling has neces
sarily seemed to rob him Of popular trust
The leading advocates Of Mr.. Cleveland turn
in disappointment TO Chief Judge Parker as the
hope of conservative Democracy. But Judge
Parkers strength is entirely negative-a digni-
fed, respected jurist who has kept out of Demo
cratic faction fights and at the same time has
had flexible enough convictions to be at once
conservative and regular. His vote getting
power is problematic. He has some prestige as
the only Democrat who has carried New-York
State since 1891, with the exception of the
present Attorney General, who slipped in by
accident and Judge Gray, who had large Re
publican support on non-political grounds. Yet
Judge Parker won under peculiar circumstances
which discount the significance of his victory
He ran in 1897, when the Republican party in
this city was split and, as Judge Wallace's
name was only on the Tracy ticket, thousands
Of Republicans who supported Low failed to
vote at all for Judge. His personality was not
an issue in that campaign, and he has done
nothing since TO bring him before the people as
a leader. He is merely an available man
Against a strong personality like President
Roosevelt he or any other candidate made into
a leader after long thought would be at great
disadvantage. Such a man could hope to win
only as Polk won over a Henry Clay.