The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-25
The ex-Presidcnt W suid Have Democracy
Other Peeuiistic Doctrines aad Return TO
the Creea that Gave Ii an Overwhelming
Victory in Iss2-His Plan Would Be
"Give the Rank asd EiIe Chance;

continuance OF its supremacy was anticl-
pated. Then came 1.-The fallacy Of free
silver and Populism. Mr.. Cleveland pro-
ceeds as follows:
THE culmiaation of Democratic woe
was reached when its compact with these
un-Demoeratic forces was compete, and
when our rank and file were summoned TO
do battle under banners which bore
strange symbols and were held alOft in un-
familiar hands. The result of such be-
travail was fcredOomed. This abandon
ment of the principles of true Democracy,
this cOntemptuous disobedience OF its ira
ditiOns, and this deliberate violation OF
the law of its strength and vigor were, oy
a decree as inexorable as that OF fate,
followed by the inevitable punishment OF
stunning, staggering defeat.
''SecOnd Battle on False War Cries."
"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
persistency of our wanderings in 1886 is
illustrated in a most astounding Way by
the command, issued on the day OF our
rout and discontinue, that a second bat
tie should be fought on the same field.
same leadership that had brought US TO
the surrounding gloom OF defeat"
Again he says:
"Thus in 1900 the lesson OF 1896 was con-
temptuously rejected, and every hope of
Democratic success was wilfully cast
aside. Again our long-suffefing rank and
file, whose loyalty and obedience deserv-
ed better things. were sacrificed in a
In In
was demonstrated but more clearly than
ever before. that the only forces that can
win Democratic success are adherence to
recognized Democratic principles and re-
lance upon Democratic councils and lead
ership.
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 time-honored faith? Are our prin-
ciples so shop-wOrn or antiquated as to
require renovation, or their displacement
by others more fashionable? There IS
not an honest Democrat in this broad
land that will concede these things, nor is
there one who would not hail the procla-
nation of the old faith with that fighting
enthusiasm that foretokens Democratic
triumph.
Applying Old Greed 10 New Conditions.
'As new conditions arise our principles
must 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 in
terpreting 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 a State"
Further on he declares:
: Il believe no Democrat viii have the
hardihood TO deny that we have fought
our last two campaigns in alliance with
un-Democratic forces, and that this al
lance was immensely costly In defeat. Is
there not good reason 20 suppose that
even in success such an alliance would
have proved Improbable and dangerous?"
He breaches the return of Democracy
TO its old faith, saying:
Sincere Democrats of every condition
ana IN every part or the land realize that
the situation of the party needs reDair
Reorganization is not necessary; but a re-
turn rom our wandering is absolutely
essential. Let us be frank with ourselves
and caitdidly acknowledge the futiIitv or
attempting to gain Democratic victories
except In the Democratic cause and
through Democratic methods.
FatiliIy Of Resrs Bization.
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 fraternal counsels. We are dealing
with the condition OF a party that cannot
be destroyed by external foes; and since
its ruin can be wrought only from with
in, IL should be imperishable Above all
things, there should be manly renuncla-
ton and avoidance of undue sectional
control. Democracy will not operate eff
ciently on sectional lines.
There Is much for US TO do, and the
future Is full OF Democratic duty and OF,
portunity. Our fighting forces will re-
spond listlessly and faiteringly II sum
moned TO a third defeat In a strange
cause; but II they hear the raIiyine caIl
of true Democracy they will gather for
battle with old-time Democratic enthus-
iasm and courage.
II ! should attempt 10 epitomize what
i have written, by suggesting a plan for
the rehabilitation and restoration Of ,rua
Democracy, l should embody il In these
words: Give the rank and file a chance"
President cieveiand's utterances about
the future OF Democracy have struck
sympathetic chords among some proml-
nent Democrats in Congress who are not
quite ready yet to declare themselves
publicly In fact. there has been some
ehagrin that Dir. Cleveland should have
sounded a note that certain House Demo-
Gratis. who have been training with the
regular free silver faction OF the party,
intended 10 sound themselves.
This much Is certain as far as most OF
the minority leaders az the Capitol are
concerned. They hope for full and COM
piete reconciliation between the TWO fac
tons before another campaign Is on. They
recognize the full force Of all that Mr.
Cleveland says One Of the leading Dem
ocrats in the House is even now prepar-
Ing a speech, which he viii deliver az
soon ss the proper occasion comes. en-
phasizing the desire for harmony and for
getting together on new lines. and shak-
ing loose from the Populistic associations
OF the past four years.
Very naturally the Bryan Democrats
who call themselves regular. desire that
this shall be done with as little sacrifice
OF dignity 10 themselves and with as little
credit 10 the other wing OF the party "a
possible. IL is felt that there IN no call
for unseemly haste in the matter. as the
next important campaign is two years OF.
but the amaigsmatIon viii undoubtedly
proceed gradually and with the full aD-
prevail Of both sides
The feature of the situation Is that
FTna -
Just as much as the Cleveland men. and
ifom this time on are likely 20 znrL IL,