Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-12-27
GOOD ADVICE BY CLEVELAND
He Discusses at Length the
Future of Democracy.
MUST RETURN TOOLD PRINCIPLES
The Remedy: "Give the Rank
and File a Chance"

Mr.. Cleveland Points Out the Necessity for
N Return to Old Democratic Principles,
which Are Imperishable and Applicable
to All New Conditions That May Arise.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Dec. 20.-Ex-
President Grover Cleveland contributes
to this weeks issue Of the Saturday
Evening Post Of Philadelphia an es-
tended article on the defeats of the
Democracy aud their remedy.
Mr.. Cleveland begins by reviewing
the history Of the party, and he dis.
cusses it's defects since 1864 iu detail.
In taking up the question of the
party's present condition, he says that
its SUCCESS In 1892 was SO decisive that
a long Continuance of ITS supremacy was
ANTICIPATED. Then came "the fallacy
OF free silver and Populism. Mr..
Cleveland proceeds:
"The elimination OF Democratic woe
was reached when its compact with
these uu Democratic forces was COM
plete, 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 a betrayal was fore.
doomed. This abandonment of the
principles of true Democracy, this con
temptuous disobedienoe Of it's tradi
tions, and this deliberate violation Of
the law of its stregth and vigor were,
by decree as inexorable as those of
fate, followed by the inevitable Lunish-
ment of stunning, staggering defeat.
1.-The disaster of 1872, invited by
similar mad adventure, was quickly
followed by return to the professions
and practices of sane Democracy. But
the extent and persistenoy of our wan
| behring's in 1896 are illustrated in
most astounding way by the command
| issued on the day Of our rnut and dts
oomfiture, that 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"
Further ON Mr.. Cleveland says:
| "Thus in 1900 the lesson Of 1896 was,
contemptuously rejected, and every
hope of Democratic success was will
fully cast aside. Again our long suffer
ing rank and file, whose loyalty and
obedience deserved better things, we're
sacri ficed in cause theirs only In
name; and again 1t was demonstrated,
but more clearly than ever before. that
the only forces that can win Demo.
cratic success are adherence to recoy-
nized Democratic principles and reli
anoe upon Democratic councils and
leadership.
"Why should we not return to these
aud in their name again achieve vic
tories no less glorious and renowned
than were ours in the days Of coura-
geous advocacy of our time honoied
faith? Are our principles SO shop. worn
or antiquated a5 to require renovation,
or their displacement by others more
fashiopableY There is not an honest
Democrat in this broad land who will
concede these things, nor is there one
who would not hail the proclamation
of the old faith with that fighting en-.
thusiasm that foretokens Democratic
triumph. As new conditions arise our
principles must be applied to them
hut in the creed that has guided US
through century Of party existence
we shall find the key to every such
application; nor shall we need the lexi-
con of Populism to aid us in interpret
ing this creed.h
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 gen.
eral government for protecting itself 10
the exercise Of its functions against
violent obstruction within a State. u
Further ON he says:
81 believe no Democrat will have the
hardihuod to deny that we have fought
our last two campaigns in alliance with
un- Democratic forces, and that this
alliance was immensely costly in de-
feat. is there not good reason to SUP
pose that even 10 success such an ALI
ance would have proved Improbable and
dangerous?"
He advocates return of Democracy
to Its old faith" saying:
"Sincere Democrats of every condi
tion and in every part of the lane
realize that the situation of the party
needs repair. Reorganization is moi
necessary; but return from oul
wandering is absolutely essential. Lei
us be frank with ourselves and can
didly acknowledge the utility OF at
tempting to gain Democratic victorie!
except in the Democratic cause anG
, through Dem ooratic methods.
"Recrimination is worse than use
less; and the arrogation of superior
Z PARTY virtue will breed only mischief
This lie time for sober thought, toler
ant language and fraternal counsels. W,
are dealing with the condition OF {
party that cannot be destroyed by OK
, ternal foes; and since its ruin can b,
! wrought only from within 1t should b,
i imperishable. Above all things Their,
; should be manly reconciliation ant
; avoidance of undue sectional control
Democracy will not operate etfioientl!
, on sectional lines,
o There is much for us to do
and the future Is full of Demoorati,
, duty and opportunity. Our fighting
? forces will respond lstlessly and falter
ingly If summoned to third defeat il
q strange cause; but If they hear th,
: rallying call of true Democracy, the.
: will gather fol- battle, with old TIM
:, Democratio enthusiasm and courage.
IF ] should attempt to epitomiz'
what have written by suggesting
:, plan for the rehabilitation ard festora
tinn OF true Democracy should EN-
body it in these words: