The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-17
editorial Correspondence

impetus 10 pFeslueHtldl ldIfA anu Ihe
prospects for the Democratic party this
year. year ago there was a general
feeling that the Republicans had "a
"cinch' on the presidency. Nobody has
any such feeling now. Some Democrats
and not few Republicans now feel sure
that the presidency is in the grasp of the
Democrats if they are wise.
have talked. not only with the half
hundred members of the National Com
nlittee and well posted members of Con-
gress, but with a score of the best news
paper correspondents at the National
Capital. There are no men in America
who have their hand so well on the pulse
of the political man as the ablest OF the
newspaper men here. They know more
than the members of Congress because
lie sentiment over larger territory. A
Congressman knows more about his
State or district, of course, because that
is his business, but I'd rather pin my
faith to the candid opinion, not given out
for publication, of the ablest correspond.
ents here than to the view of the most
famous political leaders. In the first
place, the correspondent is always look
ing to find the facts just as they are.
No matter what his political views, he is
caring chiefly to get at the bottom of
things He can "see through" the bias
of politicians estimate in a second. He
sees and talks to all sorts of folks from
all sections of the Republic. Moreover,
he knows the political currents as we'll
as a mariner understands the tides and
the winds. He can tell better than a
politician what results may be expected
from public policy. His almost pro
phetic ken in this respect was first i'm
pressed upon me in 1893 during my tenn
porary residence here. Mr.. Cleveland had
sent Mr. Blount, of Georgia, to the Ha.
waiian islands to investigate the so-called
uprising OF the people in the Dole revolu-
ton. AS he was going out of office, Har
rison fastened to recognize the Dole
crowd of Ireebooters. Mr.. Cleveland
sent Mr.. Blount out to make an investi-
CATION and to do whatever seemed wise
to preserve the honor of this country,
and if he found that Dole & Co. were
mere usurpers, to deny them the protec-
ton of the American flag. Mr. Blount
made thorough investigation, ascertain
ed that the Dole government owed its
creation to the inspiration and assist
ance of the United States authorities in
charge, and mat the people had had no
part in setting UP the new government.
He therefore ordered the American flag,
floating over Dole's palace and execu-
tive offices, hauled down. The facts
abundantly justified his action, though
with the Cleveland lack of tact the haul
ing down was done precipitately and
without the concurrence of Congress. The
Democratic leaders in Washington, with
hardly an exception, applauded Blount's
action, and thought it would be q feather
in the cap of the administration. AS
soon as the news was printed in the
Star, CHANGED to meet one Of the picked
men of the Associated Press and asked
him what would be the effect of the &C
ton of Blount and it's approval by Mr..
Cleveland He had supported Cleveland,
though in politics he was independent.
His answer was: 1T will almost destroy
the administration. Blount's action will
be received by the people with disapprov-
al and it will be repudiated. cannot
understand how an administration could
countenance so unwise an act. l tell you
it will create a storm of Indignation that
will be 50 strong that no party can stand
it,
History shows he correctly understood
the temper of the people. / have talked
with not a few such men-men who are
as able as many senators anu iilolC =" iuO-
ly known. There are, of course, varying
opinions among the newspaper correspond
cnts but it is the concensus of opinion
among them that the presidential con-
test of 1904 is yet to be won. | was talk
ing last night with one of the Oldest
the correspondent of a paper that makes
its millions He voted for Cleveland in
1892, for Mckinley in 1896, and in 1900
didn't vote at all, because he was not in
accord with either Mckinley or Bryan.
He said:
1.-The Democrats are sure to win this
year if they know how Conditions all
favor their success. The country is tired
of Roosevelt. The solid interests of the
country of both parties distrust him.
They wake up every morning wondering
what new and unwise thing he will do
next. They would be glad to vote for
man who loves peace instead of war, who
pIefers diplomacy to strenuosity. They
want a President who is not ALWAYS wish