Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-04-19
ADVICE FROM CLEVELAND.

D ,mocratic Club to commemorate the
157th h anniversary of the birth OF Thom
as Jefferson, was held at the German.
ia Club in New York last night. The
guests included about dozen "regu.
lsrs,n the rest being followers OF Ed
ward M. Shepard.
After President Eastmopd had deliv
cred his address OF welcome Charles 0.
Craigie read this letter from Mr.. Cleve
land:
Louis B Burchard. .eeq.
Dear Sir: I regret that am unable
to accept your kind invitation to al.
tend the dinner to Re given by the
Bi ooklyn Democratic Club on the Is ;h
instant, to commemorate the birth Of
Thomas Jefferson.
When those who profess the demo
cratic faith meet TO celebrate the birth
of the man who first gave that faith
distinct formulation their pride In the
achievements and triumphs of the Par.
iy which he founded should not entire
ly displAce all thought of it's present
situation and thei conditions which, In
the light OF experience, appear to be
essential to its succs ss.
Though the faults OF the party In
power are many, and though its offen.
COS against the political health and safe
ty OF the country are fl grant. these
Things should not encourage us TO base
an expect ton of success and hope
F. nf w n
mini tration npon the shortcomings OF
our sdversaries. We should two well
understand their ility to attach to
their fortunes the powerful contingent
of selfish interests to place confident
reliance on the weakness which ought
to he the penalty of their misdeeds.
Besides. none of us can close our
eyes to the fact that the democratic
party is only formidable in its own
strength. Its power to win victories
has always been found to depend upon
sturdy and consistent adherence to
t, time. honored principles, which have
proved sufficient to meet every emer'
gency of our national life. Whatever
successes may have attended party oi
opportunity with sails spread for every
transient breeze of popular sentiment
or excitement, experience has abuD-
dainty demonstrated that democracy is
so constituted that it is only strong
when courageous In the right and only
victorious when its forces are marsha
ed under Its old and well-recognizsd
stan6ards.
Our principles are so simple. and they &C.
cord so we'll with the honest American dis
position which loves freedom nd Cares iol
the public welfare, that they are easily un'
derstood by the democratic masses As re-
sult of this there has never bsen time when
false leadership OF our party and departure
from simple democratic faith havs not been
quickly discovered and ruthleesly rebnked
by istless support. pronounced detection, and
bitter defeat. These con, equences have thus
far been so inevitable that the lessons they
tesch cannot be disregsrded without inviting
Gala nifty. -,
The healthfuluess of our party may we'll be
questioned when it shriDks from such On OK
animation OF its position as will enable
to avoid disaster by keeping Ia e. course
safety, under the guidance of true democracy
Therefore. those who claim t. be followers
of Thomas Jefferson will fail to DISCHARGE
| eolemn duty if, in this time OF doubt ano
temptation, they neglect such an exsmins'
| ton, aud if this discloses tendency In party
control to subordinate the principles OF pure
democracy and to distrust their coDqu srinl
power, then conditions should not continue
| without a brave and early democratic protest
/ have addressed these words to How
democrst:, 10 the full consciousness that
| am far removed from any influence to party
management but love the old democratic
party. and have written under the sanction
Of that freedom of speech" which ] Ihoma
Jefferson placed among the cardinal factors
o ur democratic creed.
| Yours, very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The followers of Edward M. Shepard
applauded the letter, but the regulars
remained perfectly mute. Then came
letter from former Governor Horace
Boies. of Iowa. In conclusion he wrote
1--WE are at the threshold OF another
national campaign. The issues upor
which 1t is to be fought will be mad'
by the democratic party. What shai
they be? Apti.imperialism, antl-mil
itarism, and anti-monopoly, and deatl
to the trusts is the unmipgled acclaim
OF all who oppose the present admins
tration."
Letters Of regret were received from
Perry Belmont and from Edward NJ
lShepsrd. The address of Judg
Joseph ]. Willett, of Alabama, was OF
"A Century of Democracy" He said
at Is clear in my mind We csnno
nominate Mr.. Bryan and relegate th
silver question. He is the very incar