New-York tribune., 1903-05-12
Mr.. CLEFELAND.

Ii is clear that considerable number Of Dem
ocrats who date from the periods before ana
since Bryan are beginning TO have wlstfui
thoughts of Mr.. Cleveland. and to cherish
hope that the calculations and accidents OF poll
tics may combine to make him the candidate OF
his party next year for President of the United
States The recent but already digent propa-
ganda is confronted at the outset with the
formidable obstacle of the two-thirds rule, which
has prevailed in Democratic councils for sixty
years and which has tendency to check early
enthusasms; but It does not seem extremely
rash to predict that Mr.. Cleveland alone will be
able TO prevent the presentation of his name to
the national convention. 1t is therefore inter-
esting to consider how the ex-Presldent REGARDS
the effort TO enter him once more for race
which he has run three times and won twice
already.
Until recently it was commonly understood
that Mr. Cleveland did not listen with pleasure
or even with patience to talk about himself
which conveyed an impression that he had not
retired wholly and finally from the business of
politics He has occasionally written a letter
or made a speech expressing his continued de-
yotion 10 Democratic principles his earnest
hope that the party would reassert them. and
his confidence that it was inherently capable of
a triumphant resurrection; but his attitude has
been that of philosophical observer whose
own period of activity had been deliberately
and irrevocably ended. Only few weeks ago.
when the announcement that he was going 10
attend the dedication of the worlds fair ana
deliver an address caused some speculation as
to the meaning of his trip to st. Louis. ne
warmly asserted that it had absolutely no po-
Iitical signifcance-that he had merely followed
his natural inclination TO accept courteous in
vItation and participate as private citizen IN
exercises interesting to the whole country
From this and various other incidents the pub
lie has been led TO conclude not only that ne
had no thought of ever emerging from his dig
nifed and delightful retirement, but that it
vexed him to have others conceive OF such q
thing as possible
Mr. Cleveland went to St Louis and was wei
coined with conspicuous proofs of respect and
good will Indeed, it is not an exaggeration to
say that he excited genuine enthusiasm. Stimuli
taneously many Democratic newspapers. led
by The Brooklyn Eagle" proclaimed him as
the one pre-emfnently available leader for the
party in the next campaign, il not its sole sur
yiving hope. That striking tribute, possibly
concerted to some extent. but 10 a greater ex-
tent unquestionably spontaneous. did not, as
might have been expected, annoy. but gratined,
Mr. Cleveland. and apparently it produced
more than momentary effect upon him. IL
seems to have changed the current of his feel
ings He is no longer disposed to regard some
what resentfuly even the friendliest manifesto
ton of desire that he should permit a revival
of his former influence and practically put him.
self at the command of the party In pub
lished letter TO the editor OF a Georgia paper
who had asked him pointed question. he wrote
a few days ago: Il can say no more than TO
assure you that at no time since the close OF
my last administration have l been desirous
"of carrying the Democratic banner for the
fourth time In Presidential contest. That
is doubtless true. but it is not dscourteous TO
Mr. Cleveland to say that his letter does not
shut the door in the face of Mr.. Holder ana
others who are yenturing TO knock there. He
has not come forth but at least he does not
forbid a louder summons.