The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-04-19
Grover Cleveland Writes Letter
on Democracy.
HOW IT WINS VICTORIES
SAYS 1T rs FORMIDABLE IN ITS
OWN STRENGTH.
Successful When 1t Depends Upon
Sturdy and Consistent Adherence
to Its Time Honored Principles
Strong When Courageous in the
Right-Jefferson's Anniversary.

New York, April 1S.-The Brooklyn
Democratic club gave dinner tonight
az the Germania club, to commemorate
the 18th anniversary of the birth of
Thomas Jefferson. About $50 persons
were present. At the guests table were
Ex-Governor James E. Campbell of
Ohio, Joseph ]. Winett of Alabama and
other prominent public men.
Former President Grover Cleveland
sent a letter regretting his inability to
De present, and expressing his opinions
on the present Democracy The letter
was as follows:
Princeton, n. J., April u. 1900
Louis f. Buckard. Dear Sir-I regret
that l am unable to accept your invita-
ton to attend the dinner to be given
by the Brooklyn Democratic club on the
18th inst, to commemorate the birth
or Thomas Jefferson. When those who
profess the Democratic faith meet to
celebrate the birth of the man who
hrst gave them faith in distinct forms
ulatron, their pride in the achievements
and triumphs of the party which he
founded should not entirely oisplace all
thought of present situations and the
conditions which, in the light of exper-
fence, appear to be essential to it's
success
Though the faults of the party in
power are many, and though it's Of
lenses against the political health and
safety OF the country are fragrant
these things should not encourage US
to base an expectation of success. and
hope for the restoration of whole
some administration upon the short
comingS of our adversaries. We should
too well understand their ability to at
70 hal fr-
tingent of selfish interests TO place con-
hdent reliance upon the weakness which
ought TO be the penalty of their mis-
deeds.
Formidable in It's Own Strength.
Beside, none of US can close our
eyes to the fact that the Democratic
party is only formidable in it's own
strength. Its power to win victories
has always been found to depend upon
a sturdy and consistent adherence to
hs tlme-honOred principles which have
proved Suttlc1ent to meet every emer-
ge1cy of our national life Whatever
successes may have ATTENDED party
OF opportunity with sails spread for
every transient breeze of popular senti-
ment or excitement experiment has
abundantly demonstrated that DemOc-
racy Is so constituted that it is only
strong when courageous in the right,
and only victorious when it's forces are
marshaled under its old and we'll or
ganiZed standards.
Our principles are so simple. and
they accord so we'll with the honest
American disposition, which loves free
dom and cares Cor the public welfare,
that they are easily understood by the
Democratic masses As a result of this,
there has never been a time when false
leadership of our party and a departure
from simple Democratic faith have not
been quickly discovered and ruthlesSly
rebuked by liStleSS support pronounced
detection and bitter defeat. These con-
sequences have thus far been so inev-
liable that the lessons they teach can
not be disregarded without inviting ca
lamity.
Guidance of True Democracy.
The healthfulness of our party may
we'll be questioned when it shrinks from
such an examination of its position as
will enable it to avoid disaster by,keep-
ing in course Of safety, under the
guidance of true Democracy.
Therefore, those who claim to be
followers Of Thomas jefferson will fail
to discharge a solemn duty, if, in this
time of do Int and temptation they
neglect such an examination, and II
this diSclOses tendency in party con-
troll to subordinate the principles of
pure Democracy, and to distrust their
cOnquering power, then conditions
should not continue without a brave
and early Democratic protest.
y have addressed these words to
fellow Democrats in the full conscious
ness that / am now far removed from
any influence in party management,
but I love the old Democratic party.
ana have written under the sanction
Of that freedom Of speech which Thorn
as Jefferson placed among the cardinal
factors Of our Democratic creed. Very
truly yours,
GROVER CLEVELAND"