The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-12-29
Mr.. Cleveland and Party Reorgan-
ization.

Two papers of Atlanta, Georgia, had a con-
troversy as to whether or not EX-President
Cleveland voted for Mr. Mckinley at the late
election. In reply to telegram from the
editor of one of them, on the subject, Mr.
Cleveland wrote that he did not vote for Mr..
Mckinley.
In 1896 Mr.. Cleveland and his whole cabi-
net, except Hoke Smith, were opposed to Mr..
BRYAN and the Democratic platform. Smith
resigned and supported Mr.. Bryan. Mr..
Cleveland was even vicious against the Demo
cratic ticket, encouraging officials under him
10 speak and work against Mr.. Bryan and re-
moved some of those who spoke in his behalf
for ''officious partisanship." During the late
campaign he was silent, but wrote to friend
that he had not changed his views as given
out in 1896. and that friend had that letter
published. 1t was against what Mr.. Bryan
stood for. and was consequently used by the
Mckinley press to show that Mr.. Cleveland
,vas st;ll AGAINST the success of the Democratic
ticket.
Since the election Mr. Cleveland has written
an article for the Saturday Evening Post
Philadelphia, in which be criticised Mr.. Bryan
and inveighed against certain parts of the
Democratic platform. Ia closing he SAYS that
this is no time for elimination and recremina-
ton and favors reorganization Of the Demo
cratic party.
Mr.. Cleveland and his followers, by open
hostility to the Democratic nominees in 1895,
thus aiding the Republican party, defeated
Mr. BRYAN. and the same forces accomplished
his defeat in 1900 In view Of this, II seems
that all the reorganization The Democratic
marty needs is for the Clevelandiies to put
themselves back into the Democratic ranks
submit to majority rule and not undertake to
ruin when they cannot rue.
The action of Mr.. Cleveland and his fol-
lowers in 1896 gave the election TO Mr.. Nc
Kinley. who is owned and controlled by Han
ma. That action gave as the war with Spain
and the war with the FiEpinos aud our mud
die in China II gave virtual alliance
with England. against which Washington
warned rs. II gave as Imperialism, "a large
standing army, expansion by force. an m
creased public debt, and odious and veSatious
and burdensome taxation. Ii has resulted in
the denial Of the Declaration of Independence,
the violation ofthe Constitution and the abro
CATION of the Monroe Doctrine.
The action Of Mr.. Cleveland and his friends
in 1900. by silence or open espousal Of the
re election Of Mr.. Mckinley. confirmed all
these outrages, and makes them responsible
for all the evils that may be done daring Mr.
McKinley's second term.
If Mr.. Cleveland did not vote for Mr. Nc
Kinley last month, Us he said he did not, he
simply lacked the courage Of his convictions.
He cannot excuse himself by declaring ne
was against the policies of both Of the great
parties. Every man owes it 10 his fellow
man and 10 his country to vote, aud TO vote
for the best interests Of the people, as his
Judgment dictates. On one side Mr. Cleve-
land saw a majority Of the white voters, lead
in part by many who had held responsible
nlaces under his administration Of affairs and
by those who in the Senate and House gave
him cordial aid and support. On the other
side be saw ninety nine OF every hundred
we're his political opponents. who in three
campaigns endeavored to accomplish his de-
feat. Ifhe we're opposed to the candidates OF
the two great parties, he should have done
the best il was possible for him to do, choose
the lesser evil aud have worked aud voted for
Mr.. BRYAN. II he Is a Democrat be Anew
that The republic would have been safer ~ the
hands Of party composed Of the balk Of the
Democrats than 10 the hands Of Marx .iannu.
But evidently he was opposed 70 the election
Of Mr.. Bryan. as shown by his silence duriag
the campaign aud a fixed determination TO
give no utlerance upon public matters. And
he has proven It ~ bis article IA lhe Saturday
Evening Post, by his criticism OF Mr. Bryan
and some pianks OF the Democratic platform
We repeat, therefore, that the ONLY reorsani-
cation the Democratic party needs, Is Tor Mr..
Cleveland and his friends 10 step back into
the party. abide by the Democratic principle
of majority rule. aud noi Try to rui" "hen
they cannot coairol