The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-20
WHAT GROVER CLEVELAND HAS
TO SAY OF THE DEMO-
CRATIC SITUATION
REORGANIZATION not NEEDED
BUT THE PARTY MUST DROP POP
ULISM Or CONTINUE IN
DEFEAT
THE FUTURE MAY BE BRIGHT
Provided Democrats Have Once
More n RaI1ying Cry OF True
Democracy to Incite
Them On.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 10. = Former
President Grover Cleveland contributes
to this weeks issue of the Saturday
Evening Post of Philadelphia, an OK
tended article on the plight Of the Demo-
cratic party and the remedy. Mr.. Cleve-
land begins by discussing the history of
the party and discusses its defeats since
1864 in detail. In taking up the question
Of the present conditions OF the Democ-
racy, he says that the success Of the
party in 1892 was SO decisive and over
Whelming that a long continuance Of it's
supremacy was anticipated Then came
1.-The fallacy of free silver and Populism.' -
Mr.. Cleveland proceeds as follows:
WHAT GROVER HAS TO SAY.
Copyright, 1900, by the Curtis Publishing
Company.
The elimination of Democratic woe
was reached when it's compact with these
forces were complete and when our rank
ana tle was summoned to do battle I'M
der banners which bore strange SYM
hands. The result of such a betrayal
was foredoomed. This abandonment of
the principles of true Democracy, this
contemptuOuS diSobedience of its rradi-
tons, and this deliberate violation of the
law of it's strength and vigor were, by
a decree as ineXorable as those of fate
foIloWed by the inevitable punishment of
stunning, staggering defeat.
THE disaster of 1872 was quickly fol-
lowed by a return to the professions and
practices of sane Democracy. But the
extent and persistence of our Wanderings
in 1896 is illustrated in a most astound-
ing 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 gloom Of defeat.
ONLY ONE WAY TO WIN.
'grhus in 1900 the lesson of 1886 was con-
temptuously rejected and every hope of
Democratic success was wilfully cast
aside: Again our long suffering rank
and file, whose loyalty and obedience de-
served better things. were sacrificed in
cause theirs only in name, and again it
was demonstrated, but more clearly
than ever before, that the only forces
that can win Democratic success are adj
herence to recognized Democratic prin-
ciples and reliance upon Democratic
counsels and leadership.
Why should we not return to these,
and in them again achieve victories no
less glorious and renowned than We're
ours in the days of courageous advocacy
of our time-honored faith? Are our prin-
require revision, and their displacement
by others more fashionable? There IS not
an honest Democrat in this broad land
that Will not ccncede these things, nor
is there one who would not hail the proc
lamatiOn of the old faith with that fight
ing enthusiasm that foretokens Demo
CIdItc triumph. AS new conditions arise
our principles must be applied to them,
but in the creed that has guided US
through a century of healthy existence
we shall find the key u every such ap-
of Populism to aid us in Interpreting this
creed"
Mr.. Cleveland touches in turn on free
silver and the federal courts, and be-
lieves that true Democrats are against
condemning the general government for
protecting itself in the exercise of its
functions against violent obstruction
within state.''
Further on he declares:
81 have no doubt we have the hardi-
hood to say that we have fought our
last two campaigns in alliance with I'M
Democratic forces, and that this alliance
was Immensely costly in defeat. Is there
not good reason to suppose that even in
success such an alliance would have
proved Improbable and even danger
ouS?'
GET BACK ON THE ROAD.
He breaches the return of Democra cy
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 hut a
return from our wandering is absolutely
essential. Let us be frank with ourselves
and cand1dly acknowledge the futility of
attempting to gain Democratic victory ex-
cept in the Democratic cause and through
Democratic methods. Reorganization is
worse than useless, and the arrogation
of superior party virtue will breed only
mischief. This is a time for sober
thought, tolerant language and fraternaI
counsels. We are dealing with the con-
dition of a party that cannot be destroy
ed by external foes, and since its ruin
can be wrought only from within. it
should be imperishable. Above all things,
there should be a manly renunciation
and avoidance of undesirable connection.
Democracy will not operate cffectually
on sectional lines.
There is much for US to do, and the
future is full of Democratic duty and OPP
portunity. Our forces will roll on list
lessly and falter alarmingly if led on in
a strange cause, but if the rallying call
of true Democracy is used they will
gather for battle with old-time Demo-
cratic enthusiasm and courage
IF [ should attempt to epitomize what
| have written by suggesting a plan for
the rehabilitation and restoration of true
Democracy, 1 should embody it in these
words:
Give the rank and file chance