The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-12-26
What Cisvsland Thinks About
the Democracy
WHAT THG PARTY NEEDS.
The Ex.Presidsnt Says It Is
Time to Give the
Rank and File a
Chance.

Satur1ay kTenlog Poss or FhI!aGeipAta,
an exsended article oa tho plight Of the
Democracy snd the remedy. Mc'
! Clsvslaud begins By reviewing the his
tory Of tie p.rsy an6 he discusses its
defects, since 1864 in detail. In tax
ing up the question Of the present
condition Of the Democracy he Gays
that the success Of she party in 1892
vas 50 decisive and overwhelming that
locg coatiauaaoa OF It's supremacy
was anticipated. Then came "the fal
laoy Of free silver and Populisn." Mr..
Cleveland procseds as follows:
''Ths elimination OF Democratic woe
was reached when its compact with
shese undeuocrstic forces was complete,
and when our rank snd fle were sun
moue6 70 do battle under banners which
bore strange symbols aud we're held
aloft ia unfamiliar hands. TIE result
Of such a betra, al was foredoomad
This abandonment of the principles O.
true Democracy, this c,ntemptuou'
disobed!enes Of It's traditions, and ;hls
deliberate violation OF the law of its
strength and vigor we're, By adecree
as inexorable as those of fate, followed
by the inevitable punishment of stun
ming. staggering defeat.
1.-The disaster of 1872, invited by
similar adventure. was quickly folio Fed
BY re,urn to the professio IS and prac-
tices Of sane Democracy. But the ex
tent and persistency Of our wanderipgs
in 1868 illustrated in most assouod
lug way By the command, issued on the
day Of our rout and discontinue, that
second battle should be fought on toe
same field, with the same false cries
aad the same leadership that had
brought US to the surrounding gloom Of
defeat"
Again he says:
"rhus in 1900 the lesson Of 1896 was
contemporary rejected aud every
hope of Democratic success was Wlifu'-
ly cast aside Again our loug- suffer
ing rank aud 6e, whose loyalty and
s5edience deserved better things, were
sacrificed in cause theirs only In
name; and sgain it was demonstrated,
but more clearly than ever before, that
the only forces that can win D.moorslc
success are adherence to recognized
Democratic principles and reliance
upon Democratic councils aud leader
ship.
Why should VIC not return to these,
ans in their mama again achieve Vi,to-
ties no less glorious and renowned than
were ours in the days Of courageous ad-
7ocacy of our time honor:d faith? Are
our principles so shop-worn or antigua,
ted as to require renovation or their
displacement By others more fashlona,
ole? There is not an honest Democrat
in this broad land that will concede
these thiogs, nor is there one wao
| would not hail the proclamation of the
| old faith with that fighting enthusiasm
that foretokens Democratic triumph.
As new conditions arise our priaclples
| must be applied to them; but in the
creed that has guided Us through a
century of party existence wo shall hhd
| the key to every such application; nor
shall we need the lexicon of Popuilsm
to aid us in Interpreting this creed.
Mr. Cleveland touches in turn o1 free
silver and the Federal Coutts, and BE-
iie7cs that true Democrats are against
condemDing ''the General GoyernneDs
for protecting itself 10 the exeIc!se Of
its function against violent obstruction
| With State"
Further on he declares:
- believe no Democrat will have the
| hardlhood to deny that we have fouSht
our last two campaigns in slliance with
unGemocratic forces, and that this al
lance was Immensely costly IN defeat.
Is there not good rea,oa 20 suppose
that even in success such 90 alliance
would have proved Improbable and
| daugerous2' He preacnes the return
OF Denoc acy TO its old talth, sa! ing:
'.Since Democrats. of every coudlu)n
and in every part of the lsad realize
that the situation of ths parry needs
repair. REORGANIZATION is no, nees.s@-
~; but return from our wandering Is
absolutely essential. Let Us be frank
with ourselves and eandldly aoknoSl
| edge The futility Of attempting 10 gain
| Democratic victories except in the
Democratic cause and through Demo
crs,ic methods. Reorganization is
worse than useless and the arrogation
Of superior party virtue will breed only
mischief. This is q time for sober
thought, tolerant language snd iTa,ern-
al counsels. We are dealing with TIE
condition Of a party that caDnot be de-
stroyed by e1seroal foes; and since its
ruin can be wrought oily from within
It should be imperishabie. AooTe eli
things there should be manly renua
! station and avoldance of uudus secuon
| al control. Democracy vii opas:e ef-
6cieatly on sectional lines.
There is much for Us to do and the
future ia full Of Democratic duty aac
| opportunity. Oar fighting forcea Will
respond llstlessiy and faItsrlugly If
summoned 70 third defeat IN a strange
csuse, but if they hear tho rallyios cali
| OF ,rus Democracy they will gather for
battle with old time Democratic en-
,huaissm aud coursge.
IF | should attempt to epitom'za
vhss have written, by suggesting
Dian for rehabilitation and restoration
Of true Dsmocraoy, | should emocdy
il in these words: Give the rank and
| Sic o chance.