Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-20
CLEVELAND HEARD FROM.
HE WRITES ABOUT. THE DEMO-
CRATIC PARTY.

ueht 1iVSer cleveland contributes TO
this weeks issue of the Saturday Eve
ming Post, of Philadelphia, an extended
article on the plight of the Democracy
and the remedy. Mr.. Cleveland begins
by reviewing the history of the party,
and he discusses its defects since 1864
In detail. In taking up the question of
the present conditions of the Democ-
racy he says that the success of the
party in 1892 was so decisive and over
whelming that long continuance of
its supremacy was anticipated. Then
came 1.-The fallacy of free silver and
Populism." Mr.. Cleveland proceeds as
follows:
Copyright. 1900. by the Curtis Pub
fishing Company
The elimination of Democratic woe
was reached when its compact with
these un-Democratic FORCES was COM
piete, and when our rank and file were
summoned to do battle under banners
which bore strange symbols and we're
held aloft in unfamiliar hands. The re-
suit of such betrayal was foredoom-
ed. This abandonment. of the princi-
pies OF true Democracy. this contempt
uouS disobedience of its traditions and
this deliberate violation of the law Of
It's strength and vigor were by a decree
as ineXorable as those of fate followed
by the inevitable punishment of stun
ming. staggering defeat.
The disaster of 1872. invited by STINT
lar mad adventure, was quickly fol-
lowed by return to the professions
and practices of sane Democracy. But
the extent and persistency of our wan
derings in 1886 is illustrated in a most
astounding way by the command Is
sued on the day of our rout and dis
comfture, that a second battle should
be fought on the same field with the
same false war cries and the same
In In I.o1 rixN
surrounding gloom of defeat
Again he says:
Thus in 1900 the lesson of 1896 was
contemptuously rejected, and every
hope of Democratic success was will
fully cast aside. Again our long suffer-
ing rank and file, whose loyalty and
obedience deserved better things, were
sacrificed In cause theirs only in
name: and again it was demonstrated,
but more clearly than ever before, that
the only forces that can win Demo-
cratic success are adherence TO rec
ognized Democratic principles and re-
lance upon Democratic councils and
leadership.
Why should we not return to these
and in their name again achieve vic
tories no less glorious and renowned
than were ours in the days of couraG-
eous advocacy of our time honored
faith? Are our principles so shop worn
or antiquated as to require renovation.
or their displacement by others more
fashionable? There is not an honest
Democrats in this broad land that viii
concede these things. nor is there one
who would not hail the proclamation
OF the old faith with thta iightng Ell.
thusiasm that foretokenS Democratic
triumph. 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 10 every such APP
plication: nor shall we need The lexi-
con of populsm to aid us in interpret
ing this creed.",
Mr.. Cleveland touches in turn on free
silver and the Federal Courts. and be-
lieves that these Democrats are against
condemning the general government
for spelling itself in the exercise OF its
functions against violent obstruction
within a State"
Further on he declares:
II believe no Democrat Will have the
hardihood TO deny that we have tough.
our last two campaigns in alliance with
un- Democratic forces and that this al
lance was immensely costly In defeat
Is there any good reason to suppose
that even in success such ar alliance
would have proved Improbable and
dangerous?'
He breaches the return of Democ-
racy TO its Old faith. saying:
Sincere Democrats OF every coDdi-
ton and in every part of the land real.
lie that the situation OF the party
needs repair. Reorganization Is not
necessary. but q return from our wan
derinS is absolutely essential 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. Reorganization
is worse than useless: and the AFRO
cation OF superior party virtue will
breed only mischief. This Is a time
Tor sober thought. tolerant language
and fraternal counsels. We are deal
Ing with the conditions of a party that
cannot be destroyed by external foes:
and since It's ruin can be wrought only
from within it should be imperlshable.
Above all things there should be a
manly remuneration and avoidance of
undue sectional control. Democracy
will not operate efficiently on sectional
lines.
future is full of Democratic duty and
opportunity. Our fighting forces will
respond listlessly and faiteringly If
summoned TO a third defeat in
strange cause. but if they hear the rail-
lying call of true Democracy they will
gather for battle with old time Demo-
cratic enthusiasm and courage
IF l should attempt to epitomize
what / have written by suggesting q
plan for the rehabilitation and restora-
ton of true Democracy | should en-
body 1t In these words: