Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-12-21
TWO CENTS
AFTER STRANGE GODS.
Grover Cleveland Again Tells
what's Necessary

Strange Banners in the Hands or
Strange Leaders Have Mislead the
Party Lessons Of The Recent Past
and Their Value to the Organization.
President Grover Cleveland contrib
utes TO this weeks issue OF the Satur-
day Evening Post of Philadelphia
an extended article on the "Plight or
4 the Democracy and the Remedy
/ Mr.. Cleveland begins by reviewing
the history OF the party, and he dis
cusses It's defeats since 1864 Ia detail.
In taking up the question OF the pres
ent condition of the Democracy he
says that the success OF the party ia
! 1892 was SO decisive and overwhelm-
ing that long continuance of It's SUI
premaey was anticipated. Then came
"the fallacy of free silver and Pop
ulism Mr.. Cleveland proceeds as
! follows:
'gFhe elimination OF Democratic
woe was reached when it's compact
with these undemocratic forces was
complete 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 foredoomed. This abandonment
OF the principles of true Democracy,
this contemptuous disobedience OF Its
traditions, and this deliberate viola
| tion Of the law of its strength and
vigor were, by decree as memorable
as those OF fate, followed by the In
eqitable punishment Of Sunni ng.
staggering defeat.
1.-THE disaster OF 1872 invited by
similar mad adventure, was quickly
| followed by return to the professions
and practice OF sane Democracy. But
the extent and persistency Of our
wanderings in 1896 Is illustrated In
most astounding way by the command
issued on the day VI our rout and dis
comtiture, that 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.
Again he says; ''Thus Ia 1900 the
lesson Of 1896 was contemptuously re-
jected, and every hope OF Democratic
success was wilfully 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 demonstrated, but more clearly
| than ever before. that the only forces
| that can win Democratic success are
adherence TO recognized Democratic
principles and reliance upon Demo
cratic councils and leadership.
"Why should we not return to
these and in their name again achieve
victory no less glorious and renowned
than were our days Of courageous adj
vocacy Of our time-honored faith?
Are our principles SO shopworn or an
tiquated as to require renovation or
their displacement by others more
| fashionable?
/ ''There Is not an honest Democrat
in this broad land that will not con-
cede these things, nor is there one
who would not hail the proclamation
Of the old faith with that lighting en-
| thusiasm that fore tokens Democratic
triumph. As new conditions arise
our principles must be applied to them
but In the creed that has guided us
through cenoury OF party existence
we shall tlnG ne key to every such APP
| plication, nor shall we need the lexi-
con OF Populism to aid us In interpret
| ing this creed"
\ Mr.. Cleveland touches in turn on
| free silver and the Federal courts, and
believes that the true Democrats are
unafuef opp lorppipn s.fhn Gaparo1
Government for protecting itself In
| the exercise OF its functions against
violent distractions within State. 7
| Further on he declares:
81 believe no Democrat will have
| the hardwood to deny that We have
| fought our last two campaigns in alli-
ance with undemocratic forces, and
| that this alliance was immensely cost
| ly In defeat. lis there not good reason
TO suppose that even Ia success such
an alliance would have proved unprof-
liable and dangerous?''
"We are dealing with the condition
OF party that cannot be destroyed by
external foes; and since its ruin can
be wrought only from within it should
be imperishable. Above all things,
there should be manly renunciation
and avoidance OF undue sectional
control. Democracy will not operate
efficiently on sectional lines.
sThere is much for us to do, and
the future is full of Democratic duty
and opportunity. Our lighting forces
will respond listlessly and falteringly
il summoned to third defeat in a
strange cause: but il they hear the
rallying call of true Democracy they
will gather for battle with old-time
Democratic enthusiasm and courage.
''If should attempt to epitomize
what | have written, by suggesting q
plan for the rehabilitation and rest0r-
alton Of true Democracy, / should en-
body 1t in these words:
aGive the rank and file chance