Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-20
EX-PRESI. CLEVELAND ON
PARTY REHABILITATION.
SUMMARIZES HIS OPINIONS IN THE
SENTENCE; "GIVE THE RANK
AND FILE A CHANCE"
LEADERSHIP OF THE PARTY
MUST BE TAKEN OUT OF WHAT HE
CALLS UNDEMOCRATIC AND
UNFAMILIAR HANDS.

President Grover Cleveland contrib
utes to this weeks issue of the Sat
urday Evening Post, of Philadelphia,
an extended copyrighted article on the
plight of the Democracy and the rem
edy." Mr. Cleveland begins by review
ing the history of the party, and he
discusses its defeats since 1864, in de-
tail. In taking up the question Of the
present condition of the Democracy,
he says that the success of the party
in 1892 was so decisive and overwhelm-
ing that long continuance of its su-
premacy was anticipated. Then came
the fallacy of free silver and popu-
ism. Mr.. Cleveland proceeds as fol-
lows:
The elimination of Democratic woe
was reached when its compact with
these un-Democratic forces was COM
plete, and 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 foredoom-
ed. This abandonment of the princi-
pies Of true Democracy, this contemp-
tuous disobedience of its traditions
and this deliberate violation of the
law of its strength and vigor, were,
by a decree as memorable as those of
fate, followed by the inevitable pun
ishment of stunning, staggering de-
feat.
The disaster of 1872, invited by a
similar mad venture, was quickly fol-
lowed by a return to the professions
and
Practices of Sane Democracy.
But the extent and persistency OF our
wanderings in 1896 is illustrated in a
most astounding way by the command,
Issued 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 lead
ership, that had brought us to the sur
rounding gloom of defeat"
Again ne 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 SUI
fering rank and file, whose loyalty and
obedience deserved better things, were
sacrificed in a cause theirs only in
name; and again it was demonstrated,
but more clearly than ever before,
that the only forces that can win Dem
ocratic success are adherence to recog-
nized Democratic principles and reli-
ance upon Democratic councils and
leadership.
Why should we not return to these
and in their name again achieve vic
tory no less glorious and renowned
than were ours in the days of courage
Gus advocacy of our time honored
faith? Are our principles so shop
worn or antiQuated as to require reno
walton, or their displacement by others
more fashionable? There is not an
honest Democrat in this broad land
that will concede these things. nor is
there one who would not hail the
Proclamation of the Old Faith
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 exstencp we shall
find the key to every such applica-
ton; nor shall we need the lexicon of
populism tor aid us in interpreting this
creed"
Mr. Cleveland touches in turn on free
silver and the federal courts, and be-
lieves that the true Democrats are
against condemning the general
government for protecting itself in the
exercise of its functions against violent
distractions within State
Further on he declares:
Il believe that no Democrat will
have the hardihood to deny that We
have fought our last two campaigns
in alliance with undemocratic forces
and that this alliance was immensely
costly in defeat. Is there not good
reason to suppose that even in success
such an alliance would have proved
improbable and dangerous?"
He breaches the return of Demo
sracy to its old faith, saying:
Sincere Democrats of every condi-
ion and in every part of the land real
re that the situation of the party
needs repair. Reorganization is not ne
,essary, but a return from our wan
iering is absolutely essential. Let us
De frank with ourselves and candidly
acknowledge the futility of attempting
% gain Democratic victories except
In the Democratic cause and through
Democratic methods. Recrimination
Is worse than useless; and the arroga-
ton of superior party virtue will breed
only mischief. This is
A Time For Sober Thought,