The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-03-27
CLEVELAND'S IDEAS.
He Discusses His Administration and tho
Future of the Republic.

Future of the Republic.
A few days before retiring from the
Presidency, Mr.. Cleveland gave long
Interview to a correspondent OF the
Herald. As result of the interview
the correspondent has sent the follow
ing to the Herald:
have had long talk with President Cleve-
land this morning. 1t was really talk, for
Mr.. Cleveland objects TO a formal interview.
Mr.. Cleveland referred TO the last four years,
and then declared his hope that the Repub.
ican party on lis access on TO power would
pursue no course that could in any way re-
hablitate the sectional animosities which have
been dying out.
was anxious to know what he would say of
thefuture prospects Of the Republic. He said:
II am Democrat, with all the word implies,
l am, moreover, an intense Democrat, in that
believe that the true PRINCIPLES OF the Demo-
cratic party are essential to the highest
well-being OF this country. During tho war tbs
Republican party had supreme and unuues-
toned control OF public policy. No ono will
question the serve, it rendered ut that time,
but the rank and file of tho army was composed
largely OF Democrats. The Generals who won
renown were also many Of them Democrats.
While there were among the Republicans a
small minority OF hot-heads who found fault
with the Lincoln Administration, and among
the Democrats an equal number OF floss Is whose
timidty was National misfortune, the great
bulk OF the people from East to West without
respect to party affiliations, were solidly patri-
otto and ready for any amount of sacrifice for
the preservation OF our institutions. 1t is folly
to claim that the war was fought by either Re.
publlcans or Democrats, Us it was fought by
the American citizens OF the North. But it Is
plain that under Rcpubl can Administrations
there has been given fresh impetus to monop.
oltes, trusts and combines. Immense fortunes
have been accumulated, unknown IN the days
OF our fathers They are popularity OF post
bellum times, and the control which they arbi-
trarily exercise over the cost of existence Is
direct menace to the welfare Of tho working.
men and OF our farmers"
On my suggesting the race question in the
South Mr.. Cleveland sa d:
1.-THE South has partly recovered from the
effects OF the war. and for twenty years or
more has been putting all its energies into
the soil and into manufactures. 1t has
risen from condition approaching ruin
to degree of financial and practical en-.
terpr'se which renders it in some indus.
tries sharp competitor with the North.
The sudden and marvellous recovery of the
South in industrial in terests is q fact in which
the whole Nation may we'll take pride. And
this fee ling of pride would be universal il the
professions so often made OF complete recon.
Citation and desire 10 join in ahearty, united
effort to work out our destiny as Nation were
sin cere. The new relations between the whites
and the negroes at the South are gradually
arranging themselves. 1t must, however, be
work Of time-and Of q long tlme-bcfore an
entirely satisfactory result can be reached"
When l suggested some quest on as to the
6inaren ho in sho
going Administrations, Mr.. Cleveland was
quick with an answer. Evidently he is in no
wise disturbed by the fortunes OF political war.
fare which have befallen him.
1.-THE people alone" he said, "have the right
to rule the country, and their will is law
Mr. Cleveland has no fear that the Demo
cratic policy OF an adjustment of the tar Fl to
the wants and circumstances OF those of our
people who work for their living, with due
regard to all other legitimate interests and en-.
terprises, will not ultimately commend itself
to the American people.