The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-12-22
CLEVELAND ON DEMOCRACY.
How =, was Ovsrshrswn and How II
Can be Restored.

Ex-PresIdsnt Grover Cleveland con-
tributes 10 this weeks issue Of tbs Satur.
uay Evening Post Of Phiiadelpnis an ex-
tended article onths plight OF the Democ-
raoy ana the remedy. Mr.. Cleveland be-
gina by reviewing the history Of the
PARTY, and ne discusses its detects since
1874 In detail. Ia taking mp the question
OF the present condition OF the democracy
he says that the success OF the party In
1899 was SO decisive and overwhelming
that a long continuance OF Its supremacy
was anticipated. Then cana "the
fsIiacy - Of free silver and popuiism.
Mr. Cleveland continues ~ follows;
'.rhe elimination Of Democratic woe was
reached when its compact with these un-
asmocratic forces was oomplete. and
when our rank and file were summoned
70 90 battle under banners whioh bore
strange symbols and were held aloft In
unfamiliar hands. Tbs result OF such
betrayal was foredoomed. This abandon
ment OF the principles of true democracy,
this oontempsuous disobedience OF Its
traditions and this deliberate violation
Of the law Of its strength and vigor,
were, by a decree as memorable as that OF
fate, followed by the inevitable punish
ment OF stunning, staggering defeat. The
disaster Of 1873, invited by similar mad
adventures, was quickly followed BY a
return to the professions and practices
OF sane democracy. But the extent and
per sistenoy OF our wanderings In 1895 are
illustrated In a most astounding way by
. hs.s. traaA m nm hQU of ~
rout ana discontinue, that "a second bat
tie should be fought on the same field,
with the same false war cries and the
same leadership that had brought us TO
the surrounding gloom OF defeat
Again, MIR. Cleveland sayss 'Thus in
1900 the lesson of 1Sv6was contemporary
rejected, aud every hope OF DemocIatio
success was wilfully cast aside. Again
our long-sufferinG rank and nle, whose
loyalty and obedience deserved better
things, were sacrificed in q cause theirs
only In name, and again 1t was demon
strated, but more clearly than ever before,
that the only forces that can win Demo-
cratic success are adherence to recognized
Democratic principles and reliance upon
Democratic councils and leadership Why
should've not return to these, and IN their
name again achieve victories no less
glorious and renowned than were ours In
the days OF courageous advocacy OF on r
SO shop worn and Anticipated as TO require
renovation, or their displacement by
others more fashionablsg There 10 not an
honest Democrat In this broad land that
will ooncede these Things, nor is@thera
one who would not hail the promotion of
the old faith with that tignting which
foretokens Dem ocratic triumph. AS new
conditions arise, our principles must be
applied to them; but in tine cre91 that
has guided us through century OF
party existence we shall ind the key to
every such application; nor shall we need
the lexicon of popuiism to aid us In inter.
pretiug this creed.'
Mr.. cleveland touches In turn ON free
silver ana the federal courts, and believes
that true Democrats are again commend
ing 1.-THE general government for protect
Ing itself in the exercise of Its functions
against violent obstruction within a
state" And further on he declares: l
believe no Democrat Will have the hardi-
hood to deny that we have fought our |
last two campaigns In ALLIANCES with I'M |
Democratic forces, anu that this alliance |
was immensely costly in defeat. Is there |
not good reason to suppose that even in |
success such an alliance would hnv51
proved uDprotitable and cangerousf
de pre- aches the return Of Dem ocrRcy to |
its old faith, saying; "Sincere Democrats |
of every condition and in every part or |
the land realize that the situation or the |
party needs repair, REORGANIZATION ID |
not necessary; but II return from our |
wandering Is absolutely essential Let |
us be frank with ourselves ami candidiy |
acknowledge the futility of attempting |
to gain Democratic Victories, except In |
the Democratic cause and through Demo- |
cratic methods. discrimination is worse |
than useless, and the arrogation of |
superior party virtue will breed only mis-. |
chief. This Is time for sober thought, |
tolerant language ana fraternal oounssls |
We are dealing with the condition OF a
party that cannot be destroyed by extsr- |
nal fees and since its ruin can be |
wrought only from within, IL should be |
Above all things, there |
should be a manly Remuneration and |
avoidance OF undue sectional control. |
Democracy will not operate efficiently on |
SEQ tionai lines.
There is much for us to-do; and the |
future is full of Democratic duty and op- |
Our lighting forces Will re- |
spond listlessiy and faiteringly IL sum |
moned to third defeat In a strange |
cause; but II they hear the railyinggeall |
OF true Democracy. they Will gather for |
battle with old thine Dsmocratio emit husi- |
asm and courage. IL should attempt to |
epitomize what have written, by sng-
getting q plan for the rehabilitation and |
OF true Democracy, i should |
embody IL iu these words: Give the rank |