The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1900-12-28
HE SAYS HIS SAY.
What Cleveland Thinks About
the Democracy
WHAT THE PARTY NEEDS.

| ima 10 Give the
Rank and File a
Chance.
Former President Grover Cleveland
contributed to last woek's issue Of tho
Saturday Evonipg Pos! of philadelphia,
an extended article on tho plight Of the
Democracy and the romedy. Mr.
Cleveland begins by reviewing tho his
tory Of the party and he discusses its
defccts, sinoe 1864. in detail. In tax.
ing up tho question Of tho present
condition Of tho Democracy no says
that tho success OF tho party in 1892
was 80 decisive and overwhelming that
long oontinusnoo OF it's supremacy
was anticipated. Then oamo "tho fal,
lacy OF FREQ silver and Populism." Mr.
Cleveland proceeds as follows:
"rho elimination Of Democratic WOO
was reached whom its compact with
these undcmooratio foroos was complete,
and whom our rank and filo woro sum
moned to do battlo undcr bannors which
boro strange symbols aud woro hold
aloft in unfamiliar hands. Tho result
Of auch o betrayal was foredoomed
This abandonment Of tho principles o.
true Democracy, this oontomptuous
disobedienoo Of its traditions, and this
deliberate violation Of tho law Of its
strength aud vigor were, by decrco
as inexorablo as thoso Of fate, followed
by thninov.tablo punishment Of stun
ming. staggering defeat.
Tho disaster Of 1872, invited by
similar adventure, was quickly followed
by return to tho profcssio ns and prac-
tioes of sane Democracy. But tho ex
tent and persistenoy of our wandorings
In 1896 is illustrated in most astound
ing way by the command, issued on the
day Of our rout and discontinue, that
q sooond battle should be fought on tho
same fold, with tho same falso orios
and tho Same leadership that had
brought us to the surrounding gloom Of
defeat"
Again he says:
"Phus in 1900 tho lesson Of 1896 was
coptemptuously rejeotod and evory
hope OF Democratic suooess was wilful-
ly cast aside. Again our loug. suffer
ing rank and Gle, whose loyalty and
abedienoe desorvod better things, woro
soarifiood in q causo theirs only in
name; and again it was demonstrated,
but moro clearly than over before, that
the only foroes that tcau win Dsmoo oora,io
sucoess arc adheranoo to- recognised
Democratic principles and roliauoo
upon Democratic councils aud leader
ship
why should We not return to these,
and In their name again achieve vioto-
ries no loss glorious and renowned than
were ours IN the days Of .corr agoous ad-
vooaoy OF our time honored falth?, Arc
our principles 30 shop-worn or antigua
ted as to require renovation or their
displacement by others moro fashiona
ble? There is not an honest Democrat
in this broad land that will .concodo
these things, nor is there one who
would not hail the proclamation Of the
old faith with that fighting enthu siasm
that foretokons Democratic triumph.
Az now conditions arise our principles
must DO applied to thom; but ia tho
creed that. has guided us through
century. OF party existence wo shall find
tho. key to- overy such application; nor
shall wo nedd the lexicon OF Populism
to aid;us;in, Interpreting this oroed. :" g
Mr. Cleveland touchos in turn on free
silver and the Fodoral Oourts, and be-
lioves that true Democrats arc against
condemning "the General Government
for protecting itsolf ia tho exercise of
its function against violont obstruction
With State"
Further on ho declares:
) II boieve no Democrat will have the
hardihood to dony that We have fought
our last two campaigns in alliance with
undomooratic forces, and that thie al
lianoe was immensely costly in .dcfoat.
ls thore not good reason to suppose
that even Ia SUCCESS such an alliance
would have proved improbable and
daugerous2" Ho breaches tho roturn
of Democracy to its old faith, SAY ing:.
,"Sinoo Demootats.of overy condition
and III every part Of tho land .reaiizo
that the situation. Of tho party needs
repair. Rcore is not nceess.-
ry; but return from our wandering il
absolutely essential. Let us be frank
with ourselves and eandidiy aoknowl
odge tho futility of attempting to gain
Democratic Victories except in tho
Democratic cause and through Domo.
cratic methods. Reorganization is
Worse than usoloss and tho nrrogation
of superior party virtue will broed only
mischief. This lis time for sober
thought, tolerant language and fralern-
al oounsols. -Wo aro dealing with the
condition Of party that cannot bo do
stroyed by external foes; and since ito
ruin can bo wrought only from within
it should be imperishabIo. Abovo ali
things there should be i manly ronun
citation and avoidance Of undue seotlon.'
al control. Democracy will operate Of
fioiently,on sectional lines.
''Thore Ia much for us to do and the
future 10 full Of Democratic duty and
opportunity. Our fighting forcos will
respond listlessly and fslteringly if
eummonbd to a third defeat in q strange
aauso, but II thoy hoar tbs rallying;osll
Of true Democracy they will gathorfo
battle with old timo Democratic on.
thusiasm and courage.
III l should attempt to opitomiEo
what ! have written, by suggesting
plan for rehabilitation end RESTORATION
OF true Democracy, should ombody
IL IN khana urorda. NH;vo tbo ponL ~