Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-05-01
HIS VICES AND VIRTUES

common ScOld" because he had, in a
speech, taken occasion to make some
remarks about Grover Cleveland's
course in the campaigns of 1896 and
1900, and delivered itself in other Ian
guage uncompllmentary to him. This
is really the first very direct attack
made by Mr.. Bryan On Mi. Cleveland.
Considering the conduct of Cleveland
during those campaigns. and the base
ness of his action toward the Demo-
cratic party, we have been surprised
at MI. Bryan's moderation. Now
that the renegade end of the Demo-
cratic party is seeking to apotheosize
Cleveland, and to magnify their own
virtues in following his lead, it is I'M.
possible for those who are expected to
roll up the Democratic majority in
1904 II one can be rolled up then Or
any other time, to keep silent in the
face OF such an insult, as the offer of
Cleveland to them as a leader. We do
not think that any act could carry with
1t quite the degradation that would
follow such a proposition to Democrats
who loyalty supported the nominee in
1886 and 1900, as to try to cram down
their Threats either Cleveland or Cleve-
land propaganda. In heavens name
when did Cleveland ever do ANYTHING
which savored of sincere Democracy,
OF great craftsmanship?
His first act was toying with Re-
publicans until he earned for himself
self the name of mugwup. Among bis
first acts of Democratic treachery was
to put Republican in his cabinet,
and later thousands of them in minor
o11ces. This was without palliation
or excuse. BY the end of his first term
he had so disgusted Democrats every.
where that while he succeeded himself
for the nomination, he was over.
whelmIngly defeated by Benz. Harri-
son at the polls.
Harrison was rather too honest for
the Republicans, so when Cleveland
was nominated the third time the
Republicans flocked to him as their
savior, and they have chung to him
ever since. With them he could TODAY
If the third term We're out of the way.
In common parlance, wipe the face of
the earth up with Roosevelt. When
Cleveland began his second term the
government was nearer out of debt
than it had been for 40 years. But in
the midst of peace be 80 managed
affairs that it was compelled to borrow
two hundred million dollars.
This act alone ought to discredit him
forever as an officer and as mau.
This bond issue came about how !?
Let us explain, lest some have forgot
ten. There were certain notes of the
government known as treasury notes
outstanding. They were just as good
as gold, and their redemption was
neither public nor private necessity,
but they were payable in coin. We
had coin, both gold and silver, to pay
them, but not enough gold alone. The
bankers who had these notes found
out some way, just how they got the
tip nobody knows, that Cleveland
would not pay these notes in anything
but gold, and in order to pay them
they knew he would be compelled to
borrow the gold, and that he would be
compelled to borrow it from them.
Thus they saw chance with Cleve-
land s aid to squeeze the government
and cause bond issue in times of
peace. Was ever such thing heard
OF Was the credit of this government
ever so injured at home or abroad So
Cleveland INVITED the bankers to
bring on their notes and they should
have gold for them, no matter at what
cost-coin he said meant gold, and
gold only; silver was mere junk. In
they came and as soon as he had re-
deemed these notes in gold he reissued
them for their benefit, so they could
bring them back again, and get more
gold, making thereby what has been
been called the ''endless chain,' each
time borrowing the gold from them,
until the thing became disgrace il
not a public scandal. These notes
mark you, were payable in COIN, not
gold, not silver. Had be paid them
partly in gold and partly in silver, be
would have upheld every moral or lega
obligation by so doing, and there
would never have been any,bond issue
OF the odium which has rested on
Cleveland private character on &C
count OF this bond issue we will saw
nothing, but here We have president
destroying the value of one of the
coins of the country which be was
bound by his oath to uphold and pre-.
serve, by declaring that it (silver) was
unfit to pay the obligations of the gov
eminent which were payable in coin.
and for this, and this whole bond issue
affair. be is called great. 1t for no
other reason than his conduct in this
one transaction We would never vote
for him, and thousands of people in
this country, We think, would do like
wise.
Leaving out then the odium on his
private character of the bond issue.
which common rumor has attached
to it on account of large profit he
was openly accused of making in the
deal. and admitting that such a thing
is lie and SANDER. there can be,
we assert, no lie as to bis mugwnmp-