The age-herald., 1900-12-20
He Says Give the Rank and File
 a aChance
NOW IS TIME FOR SOBER THOUGHT
Above all Things There Should be a Manly Pronunciation and Avoidance of Uudue Sectional Control.
 Party Disasters.

Philadelphia Pa. December 19.-FoTmer President Grover Cleveland contributes to this weeks issue of The Saturday Even- ing Post of Philadelphia an extended arti, 1 cle on the plight of the Democracy and the l remedy. MT. Cleveland begins by review- 1 ing the history of the party and he dis- | cusses its defeats in 1864 in detail In talk. 1 ing up the question of tne present condi~ tions of the Democracy he says that the success of the party in 1892 was so decis- i've and overwhelming that long continue ance of its supremacy was anticipated. Then came "the fallacy of free silver and populism.
 Mir Cleveland proceeds as follows: Copyright, 1900, by the Curtis Publishing Company '"The culminaton of Democratic woe was reached when its compact with these un. Democratic forces was complete, each 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 such betrayal was foredoomed. This abandonment of the principles of true Democracy, this con- temptuous disobedience of Its traditions and this deliberate violation of the law of it's strength and vigor, were by a decree | as memorable as that of fate followed by | punishment of stunning, staggering defeat. "The disaster of 1872, invited by similar mad adventure, was quickly followed by return to the professions and practices of sane Democracy. But the extent and per- sistency of our wanderngs in 1896 is illus trated in most astounding way by the command, issued on the day of our rout and discontinue, that a second battle , shrould be fought on the same field with the same false cries and the same leader- ship that had brought us to the sudden gloom of defeat"
 Again he says
 Contemptuousy Rejected.
 Thus in 1900 the lesson of 1896 was con- temptuously rejected and every hope of Democratic success was wilfully cast aside. Again, our long suffering rank and hle whose loyalty and obedience deserved better things were sacrificed in a cause, theirs only in name, and again 1t was de. mopstvated, but more clearly than ever be- fore that the only forces that can win Democratic successes adherence to recognized Democratic principles and reli- ance upon Democratic councils and ead- ershp.
 Why should we not return to these and in their name achieve victory no less glori- ous and renowned than were ours In tho
 
 ime-honored faith? Are our principles so worn or antiquated as to require renova- tion or their displacement by others more fashionable? There is not an honest Demo- crat In this broad land that will concede these things nor Is there one who would not hail the proclamation of the old faith with that fighting enthusiasm that DOT tends Democratic triumph. As new condi- tions arise our principles must be applied to them; but in the creed that has guided tlfOngh nf aNis We shall find the key to every such appli- cation; nor shall we need the axiom of populism to aid us in interpreting this creed"
 Federal Courts.
 MT. Cleveland touches in turn on free v yer and the Federal Courts and belle that true Democrats against conden ing "the general government for prott ing itself in the exercise of its funeti against violent obstruction within Stat
 Further on he declares
 T believe no Democrat will have hardihood to deny that we have fought last two campaigns in alliance with ur Democratic forces and that alliance was immensely costly in defeat Is there not good reason to suppose that even in suc- cess such alliance would have proved unprofitable and dangerous?"
 He preached the return of Democracy to h its old faith, saying:
 Sincere Democrats of every conditions and in every part of the land realize that the situation of the party needs repair. Reorganization is not necessary; but re- turn of our wandering is absolutely essen- tial. Let us be frank with ourselves and candidly acknowledge the futility of at- tempting to gain Democratic victories ex- cept in the Democratic cause and through Democratic methods. Reorganization is worse than useless; and the arrogation of superior party virtue will breed only mis- chief This is a time for sober thought, tolerant language and fraternal counsels. We are dealing with the condition of a party that cannot be destroyed by external foes, and since its ruin be wrought only from within It should be imperisha- ble. Above all things, there should be a manly renunciation and avoidance of un- due sectional control. Democracy will not operate efficiently on sectional lines.
 There Is much for us to do; and the future is full of Democratic duty and op- portunity. Our fighting force will respond lstlessly and falter if summoned to third defeat in strange cause; but if they hear the rallying call of true Democracy they will gather for the battle with old time Democratic enthusiasm and courage
 'H l should attempt to epitomiZe what I have written by suggesting a plan for the rehabilitation and restoration of true Democracy I should embody it in these words:
 ".Give the rank and file a chancep