Cleveland was the leader of the pro-business Bourbon Democrats who opposed high tariffs, Free Silver, inflation, imperialism and subsidies to business, farmers or veterans. His battles for political reform and fiscal conservatism made him an icon for American conservatives of the era. Cleveland won praise for his honesty, independence, integrity, and commitment to the principles of classical liberalism. Cleveland relentlessly fought political corruption, patronage, and bossism. Indeed, as a reformer his prestige was so strong that the reform wing of the Republican Party, called "Mugwumps", largely bolted the GOP ticket and swung to his support in 1884.
Grover Cleveland: early Tea Party hero
And Rooster Cogburn in True Grit was modelled on, or supposed to look like him, according to the book. Sounds like a fine leader.
ReplyDeleteOne of a rare breed, to be sure.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteLooks somewhat like J. P. Morgan.
Yes, I know, who cares. It adds very little to the conversation but that's me.
Zombie Coolidge / Zombie Cleveland 2016!
ReplyDeleteHe was the icon for a few of my more vocal politically cognizant relatives. Believe it or not, that's the kind of Democrat I was raised to be.
ReplyDelete