Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-12-20
TIE RANK And FILE.
Give Them Chance IN Reha-
bilita1ing Democracy.
so SAYS GROVER CLEVELAND.
" Plight Of Democracy and thu. Remedy
subj ct Of Article by s.z-Pres.dcnt Id
sincere pemocrats Realized tie Party
Needed Repair

philadelphia, rec. 20. Former
President Grover Cleveland eoBt.s5=
ntes 20 this weeks issue # The ST
urday Eveg .ng Post 81 alalelHia.a.
an extended article on the "plifhi e
The Democracy and the Remedy
Mr.. Cleveland begins by reviewing
the history ct the party, cI.G he q
cusses its defeats since iaat In de-
tail. In taking up the question Of tie
present condition of the Democracy
he says that The success OF the party
In 1892 was 50 decisive AID over
whelming that "A long continuance Of
its supremacy was anticipated. Then
came the fallaey Of free silver and
populsm. Mr. Cleveland proceeds as
follows:
The elimination Of Democratic woe WITS
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 sucn
betrayal was for contemptuous disobeGi.
enee of Its traditions and this deliberate
violation of the law Of its strength and
those of fate, followed by the invitable
punishment OF stunning, staggering de-
feat
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 1896 is
illustrated In a most astounding way by
the command. issued on the day Of our
rout and discontinue, that Il second bat
tie should be fought the same field,
with the same false war cries and the
same leadership, that had brought us to
the surrounding gloom of defeat,
Again he says:
Thus In 1900 the lesson of 1896 WAS
contemptuousy rejected and every hope
of Democratic success was willfnlly cast
aside. Again our long suffering rank and
file, whose loyalty and obedience deserved
better things, were sacrificed in a cause
theirs only in name; and again 1t
demonstrated, but more clearly than ever
before, that the only forces that can win
Democratic success are adherence to rec
ognized Democratic principles and rei-
ance upon Democratic councils and lead
ership.
Why should we not return to these and
In their name again achieve victory No
less glorious and renowned than were ours
in the days of courageous advocacy of
our time honored faith? Are our prncl-
pies so shop-Worn or Anticipated to
require renovation. or their displacement
by others more fashionable? There is not
an honest Democrat in this broad land
that will coneede 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? As new conditions arise our
principles must be applied to them; but
in the creed that has guided us through
century of party existence we shall
find the key 10 every such applications
nor shall we need the lexicon of popu.
ism to aid us in interpreting this creed
Mr. Cleveland touches In turn free
silver and the federal courts, and be-
lieves that the 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 de
clares:
! believe no Democrat will have the
hardihood to deny that we have fought
our last two campaigns in alliance with
undemocratic forces, and that this ALI
ance was immensely costly in defeat. Is
there not good reason to 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
and in every part of the land realize that
the situation of the party needs repair
Reorganization Is not necessary, but a 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. Reeeimna-
ton is worse than useless: and the AFRO
CATION of superior party virtue will breed
only mischief. This is Il time for sober
thought, tolerant language and fraterna
c>ounsels. We are dealing with the CON
diton of n party that cannot be destroyed
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 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 flu
ture is full of Democratic duty and oppor-
tunty. Our fighting forces will respond
listlessy and falterngly If summoned to
third defeat in strange cause; but If
they hear the rallying call of true De-
mocracy they will gather for battle with
od-time Democratic enthusiasm and cour-
age
If ! should attempt to epitomize what
| have written, by suggesting a plan for
the rehabilitation and restoration of true
Democracy, | should embody it in these
words: Give the rank and file a
chance"