Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-06-18
Cleveiand's oall to the Parry,

To a representative Of the New York
Herald who asked him, Tuesday, for
his opinion oRthe Democratic situation
in the pending campaign, President
Cleveland made the following reply:
have made no figures as TO the
probable action Of the delegates already
chosen or to be chosen TO the Demo
cratic National Convention, but | re-
fuse to believe that, when the lime ar,
riyes for deliberate action, there will
be engrafted upon our Democratic
creed demand for the free, unlimited
and independent coinage OF silYor. 1
cannot believe this, because | know the
Democratic party il neither unpatriotic
nor foolish, and because it seems so
clear TO me that such a course will
inflict very great injury upon every
interest of our country which it has
been the mission of Democracy TO ad-
vance, and will result in lasting dis
grace to our party organization.
There is little hope that as a means
of success this free silver proposition,
after its thorough discussion during a
political campaign, will attract ma
jority of the voters Of the country. Ii
must be that many Of the illusions in
fiuencing those now relying upon this
alleged panacea for their ills will be
dispeled before the time comes for
them to cast their ballots, which will eX-
press their sober second thought The
adoption by the Democracy of this
proposition would, l believe, give tC
our opponents an advantage, both in
the present and future, which they dc
not deserve.
Ny attachment to true Democracy is
so strong that | consider its success af
identical with tho promotion of the
country's good.
This ought sufficiently to account fol
my anxiety that no mistake be made al
our party convention. In my opinion
no effort should be spared to secure
such action of tho delegates as vii
avert party Generalization.
1t is a place for consultation anu
comparison of views, and those Demo
Gratis who believe in tho cause OF souno
money should there be heard and bt
constantly in evidence.
A cause worth fighting for is worth
fighting for to the end. Ii sound
money Democrats suppose there n
danger of a mistake being made. suct
danger should stimulate their activity
in aYerting it, instead Of creating dis
couragemcnt.
l am very far from arrogating to my
self controlling influence upon thu
policy Of my party but as an unilinch
ing Democrat who has been honoreC
By his party, and who desires hereafte
no gpeater political privilege than t,
occupy the place Of private in its ranks
| hope may not be blamed for sayiul
thus much at this time, in the interest
as 1t seems 10 mo, Of the grand old or
ganization, SO rich in honorable tradi
tions, SO justly proud of its achieve
monts and always SO undaunted am
brave in its battles for the peoples vel
fare.
1t is not, of course, at all surprisin
that President Cleveland should ute
such sentiments. The whole countr
knows his unwavering convictions wit
regard to the money question. His re
marks, however, are timely. The
should inspire sound money Democrat
everywhere TO renewed efforts to say
their party from q disgraeeful surrer
der to free silver coinage.
The Republican National Conyer
ton. now in session at ST. Louis, seen
disposed TO adopt platform declarir
for maintenance of the gold standar
in our national currency. But it all
proposes TO nominate for tho Pres
dency d man who has been a friend ar
advocate Of free silver coinage durr
all Of his public life There is no a
surance 81 sound finance in the electi,
Of such q man.
4 great opportunity lies before Il
Democratic National Convention. If
gives heed TO the words Of Preside
Cleveland, it may make doclarati
that will inspire the people Of I
country with confidence, and name
candidate who will receive their {
dorsemant ut tho polls.