The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-25
CLEVELAND DISCUSSES THE FUTURE
OF DEMOCRACY.
Advocates Return to Former Conditions.

Advocates Return to Former Conditions.
Ex-President Grover Cleveland in the
Saturday Eye0ing Post of Philadelphia,
writes Of the defeats Of the Democracy
and their remedy.
He Gays that its success Ia 1892 was
so decisive that long continuance Of
It's supremacy was anticipated. Then
came the fallaoy q free silver and
Populism. Mr.. Cleveland proceeds:
1.-The elimination Of Democratic woe
was reached when its compact with
these IN Democratic forces was com.
plete, and when our rank and fie were
summond to do battle under banners
which bore strange symbols, and were
held alJft in unfamiliar hands. The re-
suit Of such betrayal was foredoomed.
This abandonment Of the principles Of
true Democracy, this contemptuous dis
obedience Ct its traditions, and this de-
literate violation Of the Law Of It's
strength and vigor were, by q decree as
inexorabIe as those Of fate, followed by
the inevitable punishment Of stunning,
staggering defeat
''The extent and persistency Of our
wanderings In 1896 are illustrated In
most astounding way by the command
Issued on the day of our rout and dis.
comdture, that q second battle should
be fought on the same field. with the
same false war cries and the same lead.
ership that had brought as to the sur
rounding gloom Of defeat
Further on he says:
THUS is 1900 the lesson Of 1896 was
contemptuously rejected. and every hops
Of Democratic success was willfully cast
aside. Again our long.suffering rank
and iIe. whose Loyalty and obedience
deserved better things, were sacrificed
in cause theirs only In name.
SUGGESTS CHANGE OF PROGRAM.
why should we not return to Demo-
cratic principles ard in their name
again achieve victories no less glorious
and renowned than were ours In the
days Of courageous advocacy Of our time
honored faith? Are our principles so
shop-worn or aDtiquated as TO require
renovation, or their displacement by
Others more fashionableg There Is not
an honest Democrat in this broad land
who will concede these things. nor is
there one who would not hail the proc
lsmation Of the old faith with that
fighting enthusiasm that foretokena
Democratic triumph. AS new conditions
arise our principles must be applied to
them but in the creed that has guided
as through a century Of party existence
we shall find the key to every such ap.
plication nor shall we need the lexicon
Of Ppopulism to aid us in interpreting
this creed" "
Mr.. Cleveland touches in turn on free
silver and the Federal courts. he ex.
presses the belief that true Democrats
are opposed to "condemning the gener.
al Government for protecting itself in
the exercise OF its functions against
violent obstruction within q State"
Further on hs says;
II believe no Democrat will have the
hsrdihood to deny that we have fought
our last two campaigns in alliance with
un-Democratic forces. and that this al
lance was immensely otstly In defeat.
Is there not good reason 70 suppose
that even In success such an alliance
would have proved Improbable and
dsngerousf"
"He advocates return Of Democ--
racy to its old faith
discrimination is worse than useless
and the arrogation CT superior party
virtue will breed only mischief. This
is time for sober thought tolerant
language and fraternal counsels."
"FUTUREFULL OF OPPORTUNITY"
There is much for " 70 do. and thol
future is full Of Democratic duty and
opportunity. 0ar fighting forces win
respond listlessly and faIieringly II sum
monec to third defeat in strange
cause but II they hear the rallying
call Of true Democracy, they win
gather for battle with old-tlme Demo
cratic enthusiasm and courage.