Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-03-14

Referring to the letter Of ex- President
Cleveland to the Crescent Democratic
Club OF Baltimore, the Philadelphia
Ledger editorially says:
In bis letter to the Crescent Demo
cratic Club Of Baltimore, on the occa-
sion OF it's anniversary dinner, ex-Presi-
dent Cleveland asserted that the signs
Of the times indicate most impressively
the necessity Of increased activity and
aggressiveness In the ranks of Demoo-
rhcy; that there were times when
Democratic principles gave guarantee
OF Democatic supremacy. or, at least,
influence in national ocunses; that
Democratic doctrine was never more
applicable than now to national condi.
tions; that there never was time
when the country would be more will
ing to accept Democracy, as they once
knew it, an guard against existing
and threatened ills, and that to regain
its prestige the party must, first Of all,
become truly, honestly and consistently
Democratic. Even his opponents,
political aud factional, must concede
the value Of MIR. Cleyeland's ol,serva-
tions upon national HStitics. His OK
perienoe as exeontiye and his study Of
the history of parties abundautiy
qualify HIM rs a critic We may not
accept his views, nor agree With his
conclusions, but they are entitled to
respectful confederation. In recent
article be alluded, humorously, to the
character istic Of stubbornness which
has been attributed to him, ard which,
in certain sense, he accepts as not
inaccurate, but In tho judgment of
many,if not most, of his fellow citizens,
the keynote Of Mr.. Cleveland's equip
ment is sincerity, singleness of pur-
pose. 1t is this quality of his char
acter that gives double value to his
opinions.
During President Clevelaud's two
terms he showed his faith In Demo-
cratic principles, His policy introduced
no innovation IN the party creed. II
the politicians exhibited a tendency
towards opportunism, he stood for the
landmarks. In Withholding his sigma
ture from the Wilson Tariff act ho ex.
pressed his regret that the bill was 10
some respects not realization OF
Democratic principles nor redemr
tion of Demotratio pledges. So,
also, in his insistence upon the re-
peal of the silver purchase section Of
the Sherman act and bis advocacy Of
sound money in general he held TO the
best traditions of Democracy, DESPITE
the fact that SO many members Of the
party were possessed of the Cheap money
and Republication craze.
The fall Of the Democratio marty
began when,in the Chicago Convention
OF 1896, 1t surrendered to Populism
and refused even perfunctory endorse
ment to the Cleveland administration.
Under more impetuous leaders, inspired
by opportunism in its most reckless
form, the Democratic party has oon-
stantly and rapidly pursued policy by
which it has been shorn of power and
divested Of character and Influence.
Adulterating its creed where it has not
discarded 1t, the Democracy has ex-
perimented with theories rejected by |
the founders of the party, and ostracised
the leaders who had the brains and the
honesty to keep it faithful and consist. |
emit we're their advice accepted.
10 the early days the Democracy we're
NOT calamity party. depending for
SUCCESS upon droughts, grasshoppers
and panics. Herein lies the forte OF |
Populism. II the Democratic party ia |
to revive 1t must retrace its steps to |
1s96,sponge from the slate the platform |
of that year, and begin anew with the |
reiteration Of the political professions
TO which the country assented In 1884 |
and 1892, and the recognition that a few |
brief years has brought the country
face to face with the tremendous prob. |
IONS broached In the closing days of |
the nineteenth century and by it be.
queathed to the new century. The
country may, and probably will, compel
the Democracy to do bitter penancs for |
Its foregatherings with Populism, but |
Its members Will at least have creed |
to which they can unroservedly sub
scribe, and a cause which they need |
not make apology for. In the pursuance |
of such course is the only hope that |
the party has of regaining popular
favor.