Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 7).djvu/91

Rh was unanimously renominat«d by the national democratic convention in St. Louis on 5 June, 1888. The efforts of both parties were directed chiefly to the doubtful states of Indiana, New York, New 'Jersey, and Connecticut. Cleveland carried all the southern states, and in the north New Jer- sey and Connecticut, while of the doubtful stjitcs Gen. Harrison received the votes of New York and Indiana. Of the electoral votes Ilarri-son receive40,:i2i). that for Harrison ,'5.4;J9.8.>3.

At the slow of his administration, on 4 March, 1880, Mr. Cleveland retired to New York city, where he re-entered upon the practice of his pro- fession. As a private citizen ho continued to «xert a powerful influence upon his party and public sentiment by freortunt public questions. Tlu'se expressions were always based upon an implicit belief that the integrity and justice of the woplo would not tolerate demagogisni, but demanded of »ny leader the truth fearlessly s|)oken. Conscious of a strong public demand that he should again be the demo<rratic candidate for president, and of the {)ersonal conseciuerice to him of his every wonl and act, he constantly stateil his views with the coura^ and candor which had characterized his whole public life. A notable instance of this was his famous letter of 10 Feb., 1801, addressed to s public meeting in New York city, which had been called to protest against a bill then pending in congress for the free and unlimite<l coinage of silver. There was grave danger that the bill would be cna(-teerinient of fre«5, uidimited, and independent silver coinage." The bill was de- feated. Notwithstanding the opjxjsition and pre- dictions of many le»ders of his (mrty, the demand for his renomination stciulily increased. The great cause of tariff reform, which as president he had championed and whii-h haue in the campaign of IMUa, and he was the natural and logical leader. At the national demo- cratic convention which met in Chicago, 22 June, 1802, ho was nimiinated on the first ballot, receiv- ing more than two-thinis of the votes of the con- vention, though bitterly and unanimously opposed by the delegation fromliisowii state. In hissjtcech of acceptance dcliveri'd to a great audienc«> in Madi- son Square Garden, New York.anii laterinhis formal letter of acceptani* of 26 S«'pt., 1892. he emphasized the need of tariff reform, and made it the leading issue between the imrties. In his letter he said :

"Tariff reform is still our puriM>sc. Though we oppose the tlKrory that tariff laws may Ih* passed having for their object the granting of discrimi- nating and unfair governmental aid to private ventures, we wage no exterminating war against any American interests*. We believe a rejuljust- raent can 1x3 accomplished, in accordance with the principles we profess, without distister or demoli- tion. We believe that the advantiigcs of freer raw mat^-rial should I* accorded to our manufacturers, and we contemplate a fair and careful distribution of ne(essary tariff burdens, rather than the pre- cipitation of free trade."

He denounced " the attempt of the opponents of democracy to interfere with and control the suf- frage of the states through federal agencies" as "a design, which no explanation can mitigate, to reverse the fundamental and safe relations be- tween the j)eople and their government." lie ad- vocated "sound and honest money," declaring: "Whatever may be the form of the people's cur- rency, national or state — whether gold, silver, or paper — it should be so regulated and guanled by govenimental action, or by wise and careful laws, that no one can be deluded as to the certainty and stability of its value. Every dollar put into the hands of the people should be of the same intrinsic value or purchasing (lower. With this condition absolutely guaranteed, both gold and silver can safely be utilized U|K)n equal terms in the adjust- ment of our currency." He also urged " an honest adherence to the letter and spirit of civil service reform," "liberal consideration for our worthy veteran soldiers and for the families of those who have died," but insisting that "our [x-nsion roll should be a roll of honor, uncontaminated by ill desert and un vitiated by demagogic u«e."

After a most vigorous cainixiign and a thorough discussion of im|iortant principles and measures, the democratic [larty won an overwhelming vic- tory, reversinff the electoral vote of 1888 and largely increasnig its popular plurality, and carry- ing Iwth the senate and house of representa- tives. The ticket carried twenty-three states, in- cluding the doubtful states of New York, New Jersey, Conne<'ticut. and Indiana, and for the first time in years in a presidential contest Illinois and Wisonsin. The p<ipuUr vote was 5,553,142 for Cleveland, 5,186,031 for Harrison, 1,030,128 for Weaver, of the " people's party," and 208,361 for Bidwell, the prohibitionist. In the electoral col- lege Mr. Cleveland received 276 votes. Gen. Harri- son 145, and Mr. Weaver 23. On 4 March, 1803, Mr. Cleveland was for a second time inaugurated president, being the first instance in this coun- try of a president re-elected after an interim. He immediately nominated, and the senate prompt- ly confinne'd, as his cabinet Walter Q. Grcsham, of Indiana, secretary of state ; John G. Carlisle, of Kentucky, secretary of the treasury ; Daniel S. Lamont. of New York, secretary of war ; Richard Olney, of Massachusetts, attorney-general ; Wilson S. Bissell, of New York, postmaster-general ; Hilary A. Herbert, of Alabama, secretary of the navy ; Hoke Smith, of Georgia, secretary of the interior; and J. Sterling jforfon, of I^ebraska, secretary of agriculture. Judge Gresham died on 28 May,' 1805, liaving held office but a few months, and was succeeded by the attorney-general, Mr. Olnev, whose place was taken by Judsoii Harmon, of Ohio. A little later postmaster-general Bissell resigried and was succeeded by William L. Wilson, of Virginia. In August, 1806, Secretary Smith re- signe<l and the president appointed in bis place David U. Francis, of Missouri.

Grave and difficult questions at once confronted his administration. A treaty for the annexation of the Hawaiian islands to the territory of the I'nited States had, on 14 P'cb., 1893, been con- cluded between President Harrison and commis- sioners representing a provisional government of the islands, and hiul been transmitted to the sen- ate on the day following, but bad not yet been acted upon. The provisional government had been established on 17 Jan.. 1803, by the overthrow of the constitutional ruler of the islands. Serious doubts existed as to the authority and validity of the provisional government and as to the part