New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-20
FIRST PRINCIPLES" OF DEMOCRACY.


Mr. Cleveland has been quoted within day
or two as saying that the Democratic party has
been defeated of late because il has wandered
of after strange gods and that if it returns to
first principles and oldtime doctrines it will
again win oldtime victories. In this weeks
issue Of The Philadelphia Saturday Evening
Post he amplifies and emphasizes that decla-
ration. There is no man better entitled than Mr..
Cleveland thus 10 speak, since he has long been
one of the chief conservative forces in the party
and has twice led il 10 victory in National cam
paigns-the only man who has done so in this
generation. 1t is true that for the last half
dozen years he has cut no figure practical
party leader, but has, on the contrary, been
rcpudiaxed and condemned by those who have
directed the fortunes of the party. But in those
same Wars, ever since its reputation of him.
the party has suffered an unbroken series of dis
astrous defeats, and is to-day in more demon
allied condition than at any other time since the
Civil War. In such circumstances, if it has a
remnant of common sense left 1t will carefully
consider Mr.. Cleveland's words
Mr. Cleveland has expressed in his strong,
contentious manner thoughts which have been
in many other minds. Immediately after last
months election The Tribune set forth a hope
that the Democratic party under the chasten-
mad vagaries 10 sober ways, and thus form a
digniied and patriotic opposition party, which
would be of real service to the Nation as a
balance or check upon the party in power. 1t
is, however, easier 10 hope than 10 prescribe,
and it is probable that even Mr.. Cleveland
would find it difficult TO rehabilitate the "old-
time doctrines" of the Democratic party in a
logical and effective manner. We may say, for
example, that Socialist schemes have no place
in Democratic platform. Yet Mr. Cleveland
himself stood sponsor for one of the first OF
lhem, class discriminating income tax; and
this and other such schemes have now been so
widely accepted that population Of them would
probably ALLEVIATE a large minority. if not a
majority, Of the party. For years the Demo
cratic party has been gathering to itself all
possible elements Of Socialism. Anarchy and
general discomfort and disorder Eliminate
these, and there would be only Il remnant left.
On the subject of the currency there is room
for question as to what the "oldtime doctrines
Of Democracy are. Mr.. Cleveland unouestion-
ably stands for sound money So stood the
founders of the party. But between him and
them there is n great interval filed with all
manner Of financial heresies The 1G to mad
ness of Organism is not the only strange God
after which Democracy has wandered BEFORE
il were other silver schemes. and greenbocl,
imitation. and opposition TO the RESUMPTION of
specie payments, and the long chaos of wildcat
banks and red dog currency" A return IN
nrst principles must, then, be 10 first PRINCIPLES
indeed, away back of the days Of Jackson. And
| what would such return be but a turnno
toward and surrender 10 the PRINCIPLES Of TN,
! Republican party: Concerning the tariff Mr.
| Cleveland undoubtedly means by "frSt min
ciplcs' tariff for revenue only, such as ba
while President so vigorously but so vainIv ad
vocated. The adoption OF such a policy wopld
DC logical and courageous but that II ,vouId
result In "oldtime victories" is grayeIv 70 no
doubted ~ 'e
Civil Service is another leading issue. Mr.
Sie' 'l"hu is progressed friend of Civil Service
| reform, though not even his best friends ,,,,1
Claim that he was altogether succassf,I - ~
consistent, in the practice of il DURING bie "a
ministrations. But 10 what @oldtip,a -,
OF Democracy would he now return Jefforsa,,
Madison and Monroe had no doctrine on .to
SUBJECT Tor the Issue had not then baan cree,
ihey simply followed the examine Of Woshins.
ION ana Adams, The conduct of the Civil Co..
VICE hrst became an issue under Jackson.s "A
"aAiiisuauon ana II was then that tho Do,,
ciauc oidtiLne doctrine" or first DrincinIe,, No.
iOi iiuia'eo aho promulgated and put into nrac.
nee 10 the vietors belong the snolls ), W.
cannot conceive that Mr.. Cleveland Womb ro-
1urh 10 mat But if not, he would again mo
turning toward and surrendering to a distinc-
i've principe OF the Republican party. Finally
mere u 'he question OF territorial expansion
uIUH "l'icn MI Cleveland is supposed 10 agree
WIN MI Bryan In opposition 10 the RepubIican
pohey. But suppose the Democratic nortv ;,
turned 10 the FIRST principles" ana ..oldt;no
doctrines" of Jefferson, Monroe. Jaclson ca'
N0On' 1dl-