The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-20
Defeats Due to Alliance with Undem-
Ocratic Forces and Espousal
OF Free Silver.
RETURN TO FIRST PRINCIPLES
NECESSARY IF VICTORY Is TO BE
ACHIEVED IN THE FUTURE.
Reorganization Not Required, but Re-
nunciatson of Undue Sectional
Control Is Advisable.
copyright. 1soo by the Curtis Publishing Com


lOOPytiSHt, iSVV, ny the ,uItis fupiiShihS toiH-
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19.-Former
President Grover Cleveland contributes to
this weeks issue of the Saturday Even
ing Post Of Philadelphia an extended ar
ticle on the plight of the Democracy and
the remedy. Mr.. Cleveland begins by re-
viewing the history of the party and he
discusses its defeats since 1854 in detail.
In taking up the question of the present
conditions of the Democracy he says the
success of the party in 1892 was so de-
cisive and overwhelming that long con-
tinuance of its supremacy was anticipated.
Then came 1.-The fallacy of free silver and
Pcpulsm.'' Mr.. Cleveland proceeds as fol-
lows:
reached when its compact with these un-
democratic forces was complete, and when
our rank and file were summoned to do
battle under banners which bore strange
symbols and were held aloft in unfamiliar
hands. The result of such betrayal was
foredoomed This abandonment of the
principles of true Democracy, this con-
temptuous disobedience of its traditions,
and this deliberate violation of the law
OF its strength and vigor, were by de-
cree as inexorable as those OF fate. follow
ed by the inevitable punishment OF stun
ming, staggering defeat.
THE disaster of 1872, invited by similar
mad adventure, was quickly followed by a
return to the professions and practices of
sane Democracy. But the extent and per-
sistency of our wanderings in 1896 Is illus
trated in most astounding way by the
command, issued on the day of our rout and
discontinue, that a second battle should be
fought on the same field, with the~same
false war cries and the same leadership
that had brought US to the surrounding
gloom Of defeat"
Again ex-President Cleveland says:
Thus in 1900 the lesson of 1896 was con-
temptuously rejected and every hope OF
Democratic success was willfully cast aside.
Again our long-suffering rank and file,
whose loyalty and obedience deserved bet
ter things, were sacrificed in a cause theirs
only in name; and again it was demon
strated, but more clearly than ever before,
that the only forces that can win Demo-
cratic success are adherence to recognized
Democratic principles and reliance upon
Democratic councils and leadership.
"Why should we not return to these, and
in their name again achieve victories no
less glorious and renowned than were ours
in the days of courageous advocacy of
our timehonored faith? Are our principles
so shopworn antiquated as to require
renovation or their displacement by orders
more fashionable? There is nSt an honest
Democrat in this broad land who will con-
cede these things, nor Is there one who
would not hail the proclamation of the
old faith with that fighting enthusiasm
that foretokens Democratic triumph. AS
be applied to them; but in the creed that
has guided us through a century of party
existence we shall find the key to every
such application; nor shall we need the
lexicon of populism TO aid us in interpret
ing this creed
Mr.. Cleveland touches in turn on free
silver and the federal courts. and believes
that Democrats are against condemning
"the general government for protecting
itself in the exercise of its functions
against violent obstructions within a
State" Further on he declares:
81 believe no Democrat will have the
hardihood to deny that we have fought our
last two campaigns in alliance with un-
Democratic forces and that this alliance
was Immediately costly in defeat. Is there
not good reason TO suppose that even in
success such an alliance would have proved
Improbable and dangerous?"
Mr. Cleveland breaches the return of
Democracy to its old faith, saying:
sincere Democrats of every condition
and in every part of the land realize that
the situation OF the party needs repair.
Reorganization is not necessary, but re-
turn from our wandering is absolutely es-
sential. Let us be frank with ourselves
and candidly acknowledge the futility of
attempting to gain Democratic victories
except in the Democratic cause and
through Democratic methods. Reorganza-
ton is worse than useless, and the arro-
cation or superior party virtue Will breed
only mischief. This is a time for sober
thought, tolerant language and fraternal
counsels. We are dealing with the condi-
ton of a party that cannot be destroyed
by external foes, and since its ruin can be
wrought only from within il should be
impershable. Above all things, there
should be manly remuneration and avoid
ance of undue sectional control. Democ-
racy will not operate efficiently on Sec
tional lines.
There is much for us to do, and the
future Is full of Democratic duty and op-
portunity. Our fighting forces will respond
listlessly and falteringly if summoned to a
third defeat in a strange cause; but IL they
hear the rallying call of true Democracy
they will gather for battle with old-time
Democratic enthusiasm and courage.
IF i should attempt to epitomize what /
have written by suggesting a plan for the
rehabilitation and restoration of true De-
mocracy i should embody it in these words:
Give the rank and file a chance. -