New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-21
HR. CLETELAyD's DELUSI0N.

Mr. Cleveland contributes to golfers ah
article on Democratic conditions and prospects
which expresses strong hope OF democratic
success Inasmuch, however. as the STABILITY
OF conclusion depends upon the soundneSS 81
the premises the value of Mr.. ClevclandS ollh-
ion is not large. for his understanding n what
occurred NJ II. Louis is Singularly erroneous
He saws for example. that at is too apparent
for denial that the national Democracy as an
organization has been freed from the financial
',delusions that have made it weak. and has
'enterpd upon a period OF oldtime vigor and
strength" Though the very thing which Mr..
Cleveland calls undeniabe is actually and hon
esty denied 10y all Republicans and multitude
of Democrats, his statement, if it stopped there,
might be passed over rs n bit of campaign dee
lamatiOn. such as even serious minded man
may emit IN moment of fervOr without being
called To account: but he goes on 10 particuarize
in a manner which shows that he followed the
proceedings of the convention very carelessly and
has not since taken the troublerto correct dis
torteG view of its final act
Having >referred feelngy TO the fear and
gloom which prevailed among sound money
Democrats after the committee had rejected an
eyaslve financial plank and the convention had
ratified the committees action. Mr. Cleveland
bestows his warm approval on Judge Parkers
telegram, and then makes this amazing asser-
ton:
When in response to the message of its chosen
candidate the convention proposed TO give him
assurance that the sentiments of the convention
and the meaning of its platform were in accord
with his expression and in effect 10 make his
message part of the platform, vote on the
passage ~ a resolution erbodying these propo-
sitions disclosed the fact that out of 4 total
vote Of 800 only 1sl could be counted I'm the
negative. This vote furnished the best If not
the only, opportunity offered during the
tinuance of the convention to demonstrate how
Overwhelmingly sound its members were In sup
port OF the gold standard: and it's result cannot,
I gratefully believe, be otherwise construed than
as indicating the elimination of financial error
as a disturbing influence in Democratic councils.
OF course. we impute no Intentional misrepre
sentation TO Mr.. Cleveland. but it is hard to
understand how lie can have been utterly de-
ceived. Let US compare with his version of the
conventions response 10 Judge Parker's tee-
gram the actual text Of that response
the platform adopted by this convention is
silent On the question of the monetary standard
because II is not regarded by us as possible
ISSUE In this campaign. and only campaign
issues are mentioned in the platform. Therefore
there Is nothing in the views expressed by you
I'm the telegram just received which would pre-
clude p man entertaining them from accepting
nomination ON said platform.
In that message there is not n word which
says or implies that the convention regarded
the gold standard as rrevOcahT established.
anG 30 put such an Interpretation on ir. if not
an act Of violence. reveals an inexpllcable delu-
sion. Ii makes not the slightest concession TO
Judge Parkers newly discovered opinion 1t
does not even intimate approval on practical
grounds OF his accurately timed and expedient
telegram. The convention merely informed him
that The platform was silent on the issue over
which all the fighting had been done for four
days. because ii was mot regarded as possible
issue IN this campaign" and authorized him TO
keep nomination which X was too IL 70 10 with
draw.
il Mr. Cleveland wants to bring his view of
the subject which he has so injudiciously dis
cussed into conformity with the facts he can
not do better than TO ponder the statement OF
tina. lifelong Democrat, his faithful and honored
friend Mr.. Oscar S. Straus, in announcing his
determination 10 work and vote for NJ: Roose-
welt. Says Mr.. Straus
a party which cannot unite or has not the
wisdom or the courage 10 unite in putting a
souad money plank in its platform is not sufi-
clenIiy reconstructed 10 be intrusted with power
While Judge Parker's telegram is highly cred
liable 10 his Judgment and character .he cir
cumstances surrounding il cast discredit on the
party upon which he must rely especially in
view OF the fact that even after this telegram
porate a sound money plank. By this act is con-
coded to Bryan and his followers the victory he
claims, and is justified in claiming 10 have ,yo,
for his silver hereses
That is the conclusion to which iptel,rnn+
Democrats who are not afraid TO look the truth
in the face must inevitably be impelled and
which Mr.. Cleveland. on more careful consider
alton. VIII doubtless privately adopt