Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-22
CLEVELAND REVIVED
COMMENT on THE EX-PRESIDENT'S
RECENT UTTERANCES.
Ambition to Again Lead the Demo-
cratic Party. Now in Hands
of Bryanites.

The sudden temperance of eX-PreSldent
Cleveland before the public eye eXcites con-
/ siderable comment among democrats. The
opinion is widely expressed that Cleveland
has idea that the occasion Is calling
him again to the fore as a leader of democ-
racy. His breaking a long silence at this
time, when the democratic party is suffer-
ing the depression of defeat, Is regarded as
warrantng the assumption that he is still
ambitious, and that his inordnate self
esteem, inhamed by the fiattery of those
who have always assembled about him, has
led him to believe that there is a call for
him to emerge from his meditations and
lead the way to light.
1t is suggested that he has waited just
long enough after the election to observe
that the spirit of the democrats in Con-
gress seems broken; that there is no dis
position among the minority in either house
to loudly proclaim constancy toward issues
. supported by them in the campaign. and
that ne is now convinced that the party Is
so devoid of leadership and of issues that
the opportunity has come for him to go to
the front. He has taken time when he
/ has the platform all to himself, and is ad-
dressing the people in his characteristic
fashion.
No Disposition to Accept His Leader
ship.
There is no disposition shown on the part
OF those who thus interpret Clevelands re-
cent utteranCes to accept his leadership or
to concede that there is any possibility Of
! the party ever again taking up with him.
Ii is pointed out that conditions as to
! party organization render it impossible for
him and mis- friends to acquire control. AT
best. it is said, he could have the support
of hut minority who would he willing To
accept him as their prophet, and the most
they could do would he to organize a revolt
/ from the regular party organization. w hat
is known as the Bryan element, though
/ there may be no present intention of again
/ nominating the Nebraskan for the presi-
! dtncy. are in complete control of the ma
tional committee and must retain control
/ of the organization of the party until after
/ the next national convention, with all that
/ this implies III the matter of regulating pri-
rnaries.
! Mr. Cleveland, of course, understands
! this, and it is assumed that it is not with a
Z view of capturing this organization that
} he now steps to the front; but that he pro-
poses to look upon the party as now de-
! funct and to undertake the task Of reas-
( sembling such Of its elements may be
/ suitable for the purpose into a new de-
niocracy, which he would term old-fashioned
! democracy, leaving those who still adhere
| to the Bryan platform TO associate them
selves they see fit, with the popuilsts or
! in a new organization.
| His Ambition.
Very little doubt is expressed that he has
some such ambitious plan, though the dis
position among democrats in Congress is
| to treat it with Indifference or contempt.
! A realization that Cleveland cannot be ut
terly ignored may be had however, from
! the fact that his recent utterances are be-
! ing discussed in the congressional cloak
| rooms, and that he is being roundly de-
nounced as guilty of the most reprobated
| of political crimes.