The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-03-19
Cleveland Again!

~ Cleveland Again!
Is it possible that Grover Cleveland will
be the democratic candidate for president
In 1904? There are signs that Cleveland
movement is being worked up. The
Parker boom IS already dead, Olney's
boom was never very vital, and now come
the Cleveland promoters. It would not be
strange if the democrats, casting about in
their chaos of party for a leader, should
seriously think of turning to Cleveland,
the only leader under whom they have
had presidential victory since Buchanan,
and, moreover, a leader who has given
them two such victories.
AS far as the possibility depends upon
Cleveland himself there is nothing in the
way. 1t is true that he is now Sc years
old, and would be 6S when inaugurated, If
elected. But in this day OF young old
men, no one looks upon 6s as bar to
responsible and onerous public, office. 1t
Is solely question whether the man has
the physical and mental strength required.
whether he be 80 or 70.
While Mr.. Cleveland has probably re-
garded himself, as the public generally
has, as in permanent retirement, there
can be no doubt that if to accept the
leadership of the democratic party again
appealed to him as public duty, he would
cheerfully sacrifice the ease and comfort
of his Princeton retirement. And he is
probably too human to look upon such a
course as altogether a sacrifice. 1t is a
high honor to be the. fourth time a can
ddate Of great political party for the
presidency. even if defeated. ::
On the other hand, there would be the
possibility Of victory; and the prospect of
making the brilliant record of being three
times president of the American republic,
of being twice recalled to power by the
people, and that without the slightest de
Walton in his chosen political course, is
enough to tempt the strongest Of men.
On the side of the party, it is not so
easy to reach conclusion. The win-any-
way democrats would snap, at the chance
probable winner. But they will have diff
Guilty in making up their minds on that
point Is he winner? Is it not as GER
tain as can be that his nomination would
be the signal for formidable secession
of the Bryan democrats, who are still 8
very important part of the party? MOI
are all the Bryan democrats confined tt
western states that are hopelessly> repub-
1ican. There are enough of them in New
York itself to throw that state to the re.
publicans. The south, Of course, >reallJ
has no politics. 1t will just natural,
vote solidly for any democratic candidate
On the other hand. Cleveland would wiz
back all the gold democrats, it would b,
argued and would have a very strong hole
on tariff reform republicans of weak part,
attachment, and would rally to the demo
cratic party the support of the t'veste,
interests
The campaign fund under such condi
Z, lions would be plethoric, and the part.
would take on an air of "respecta bility'
3 that it has lacked of recent years. Their
is no doubt that the big financial power
OF the country would like to get rid O
Roosevelt, even at the price Of .democrati
tariff revision; which might, after all, b
of no more consequence than the Wilso
bill, which Mr.. Cleveland was so dis
gusted with. While Cleveland is a. man q
independence and backbone, st is easy t
see that except as to his tariff views
he is in. strong sympathy with Wa
street and the ''vested: interests H
would easily and conscientiously co
operate with them, because he natural
takes their point of view. His tariff view
might conflict with trust practices, bu
his economic theory does not conflict wit
the trust scheme. z%--.te-
II times should be desperately hard
year hence. Cleveland as the Democrat
candidate. with the prestige Of lIavin
twice been president, with unlimited can
paign funds behind him, with the countr
ready to be convinced that the protectiy
system is bad one, with himself as tt
very incarnation Of the opposing: low tart
theory, with the almost imperial power
the, trusts behind him, might have
chance for success though not a vel
bright one. '1 ~