The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-29
THE LAST WORD.

Mr.. Cleveland has now placed his
stances, a candidate for the presidency
in terms so distinct and forcible that
no one can pretend either to misunder-
stand or to disbelieve him. Several
of the great newspapers of the coun-
try, led by the Brooklyn Eagle and
Harper's Weekly, have urged the nomi-
nation of Mr.. Cleveland for a fourth
time as leader of the national De-
mocracy. The SENTIMENT in favor of
this evoked throughout the country
was strong. and enthusiastic From all
quarters came assurances that those
who had helped elect him in 1884 and
again in 1892 were eager to pledge him
their support for 1904. No higher or
more grateful compliment could be
paid to any man than that conveyed
by the reception of the suggestion that
Mr.. Cleveland again take the active
leadership of his party.
Had it fitted with the ideas of Mr..
Cleveland himself, no careful politician
will deny that the prospects of his
election were good. He is one of the
most popular Tnen in the country to-
day. He is ahsolutely and wholly
trustworthy. Hesfs one of the most
patriotic Americans who ever lived
His devotion tozhis country and it's in
stitutions is so sincere, so without al
10y Of personal interest or ambition,
that the people could depend utterly
upon his devotion to the larger inter-
ests of their political life, instead of
the petty manipulations of political
machines.
Looking over the roster Of the states
carried by Mr.. Cleveland in 1892 and
remembering how analogous are the
situations then and now, one can
Cleveland, if nominated willingly and
by the harmonious action of his party,
would have been elected. Now, as
then, the tariff is a source of Repub-
lican contention, and there is a ma
tional revolt against excessive pro-
tective duties. Now, as then, there is
visible check to national industry,
growing out of Republican extrava-
gancee and political favoritism. The
same causes would, we sincerely be-
lieve, have produced the same effects.
On the other hand, it has not been
possible to believe that Mr.. Cleveland
would accept the honor or permit it
to be offered to him. He is not blind
to the fact that there has been a wide
difference of opinion within his own
party, and that he is identified with
the views of one portion. He proba-
bly, shares the common belief that the
nominee next year should be a man
whose name could not arouse heart
burnings on either side.
Personally considered, it was i'm
possible that he should consider an
other campaign and another term in
the White house without reluctance
too great to be overcome. He is en-
joying an age full of honors He is in
a position of dignity, of honor and of
comparative ease. He has nothing to
gain and everything to lose by step
ping once more into the arena of &C.
tive and bitter political controversy.
1t would be too great sacrifice to ask
of any man who has served his coun-
try and his party as well as Mr.. Cleve.
land. and he requests that it be not
demanded of him.
This final declination ends the agi-
tation Of the candidacy of Mr.. Cleye-
land. We think that he could have
been nominated, and we believe that.
If SO, he would have been elected.
Nevertheless, the time has come for
other leaders, who must take up the
burden of party management for the