Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-25
GIVE THEM A CHANCE.
Grover Cleveland Makes Appealfor
Rank and File of the Party.
SUMS UP CONDITIONS OF DEMOCRACY
Says False Symbols and Alien Lead
ers Have Lured 1t to Defeat-Disas-
ter Was Foredoomed When 1t Stray
ed From Historic Principles.

Philadelphia, Pa, Dec. 21.-Former |
President Grover Cleveland contrib |
utes to this weeks issue of the Satur-
day Evening Post of Philadelphia an
extended article copyrighted by the |
Curtis Publishing Company on the
plight of the democracy and the REM |
edy. Mr.. Cleveland begins by review
ing the history of the party, and he
discusses it's defeats since 1861 in de-
tail In taking up the question of the
present conditions of the democracy,
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 the "fallacy of free silver
and populism."
elimination of Woe.
Mr.. Cleveland proceeds as follows:
The elimination of democratic woe
was reacehd when its compact with
these undemocratic forces was COM
plete and when our rank and file We're
summoned to do battle under banners
which bore strange symbols and were
held aloft in unfamiliar hands. The
result of such betrayal was fore
doomed. This abandonment of the
principles of true democracy, this con-
temptuous disobedience of its tradi-
| lions and this deliberate violation of
the law of it's strength and vigor were
| by decree as memorable as those of
fate followed by the inevitable pun
ishment of stunning, staggering de-
feat.
Disaster of 1872.
1.-The disaster of 1872, invited by
followed by return to the profess
sions and practices of sane democra-
cy. But the extent and persistency of
our wanderings in 1895 is illustrated
in most astounding way by the COM
inand, issued on the day of our rout
and discontinue, that a second battle
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"
4 Lesson Rejected.
"Thls in 1900 the lesson of 1896
was contemptuously rejected and eve
ry hope of democratic success was
wilf,Illy cast aside. Again, our long
suffering rank and file, whose loyalty
and obedience deserved better things,
were sacrificed in cause theirs only
in name, and again it was demonstrate
ed, but more clearly than even before,
that the only forces that can win dem
Iocratic success are adherence to rec
ognized democratic principles and re-
Iliance upon democratic councils and
leadership.
Should Return.
"Why should we not return to these
and in their name again achieve VIC
tories no less glorious and renowned
than We're ours in the days of coura-
geous 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?
Hail the Old Faith.
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
j, with that fighting enthusiasm that be
tokens democratic triumph. AS new
conditions arise our principles must
be applied to them, but in the creed
that has guided us thru a century OF
party existence we shall find the key
to every such application; nor shall
we need the lexicon of populism to aid
us in interpreting this creed"
| Against Condemning the Government
!. Mr.. Cleveland touches in turn or
| free silver and the federal courts, anc
believes that true democrats are
against condemning "the general gov
t eminent for protecting itself in the
exercise of it's functions against vic
l lent distractions within state"
!, With Undemocratic Forces.
! 81 believe no democrat will have the
hor RI have
J, fought our last two campaigns in ALI
). ance with undemocratic forces. ant
that this alliance was immensely cost
ly in defeat Is there not good reason
|. to suppose that even in success sucl
an alliance would prove unprohtabls
!, and dangerous?'
K Return to the Faith.
!. He breaches the return of democra
cy to it's old faith, saying:
Sincere democrats of every condi
ton and in every part of the land real
S ize that the situation of the part
needs repair. Reorganization is no
s. necessary, but return from our wan
t derings is absolutely essential. lie
n us be frank with ourselves and can
e didly acknowledge the futility of al
e tempting to gain democratic victorie
e except III JnS uSuOCldtlC CduSc lN
e thru democratic methods. Reorgan
r, cation is worse than useless, and tn
/" arrogation of superior party virtue
s will. breed only mischief. This is
) time for sober thought, tolerant lar
l. guage and fraternal counsels. We ar
e dealing with the condition of part
that cannot be destroyed by externa
foes,a and since its ruin can be wrough
only from within it should be impel
ishable. Above ali things, Their
d should be manly remuneration an
avoidance of undue sectional contro
Democracy viii, not operate efticientl
!, on sectional lines.
n Much To Do.
is There is much for us to do and tn
n future is full of democratic duty an
a opportunity. Our fighting forces wi
n, respond listlessly and falteringly
IN summoned to third defeat in
strange cause, but if they hear the ra
lying call of true democracy they wi
gather for battles with old-time demo
,f cratic enthusiasm and courage.
r Give Them a Chance.
.